University of Louisville
USF
No. 8 Louisville Wins Opener at USF, 3-1
May 04, 2014 | Baseball
May 3, 2014
Senior Jeff Gardner drove in two runs while going 2-for-5 at the plate in Saturday's series-opening win.
TAMPA, Fla. - Behind eight strikeouts from righty Kyle Funkhouser on the mound and a pivotal two-run single from outfielder Jeff Gardner, the No. 8 Louisville baseball team earned a 3-1 series-opening win over USF on Saturday evening.
After Friday's scheduled series-opener was postponed due to rain, the Cardinals (35-11, 12-4 American) extended their winning streak to a season-high eight games with the victory in the first game of a doubleheader at USF Baseball Stadium. Funkhouser (Oak Forest, Ill.) was dominant scattering four hits in 7.1 shutout innings to go along with the eight strikeouts to earn the win and improve to 9-2 on the season. It was also the 14th career collegiate victory for the 6-2, hard-throwing sophomore.
Gardner (Louisville, Ky.) provided the biggest hit of the game for Louisville connecting for a two-run single in the fifth inning against USF (24-21, 10-9 American) starter Casey Mulholland to give break-up a scoreless tie and give the Cardinals a lead they would never relinquish. The senior captain finished 2-for-5 overall at the plate, while senior third baseman Alex Chittenden (Indianapolis, Ind.) chipped in with a seventh inning RBI single for insurance in the win. Junior first baseman Grant Kay (Omaha, Neb.) finished 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored as Louisville finished with a 7-6 edge in hits.
After senior lefty Cole Sturgeon (Owensboro, Ky.) recorded the final two outs of the eighth inning on one pitch with a 6-4-3 double-play, junior righty Nick Burdi (Downers Grove, Ill.) earned his 11th save of the season striking out two and allowing one run in the ninth inning. It was the 27th career save for Burdi, who continues to add to his school record total.
Mulholland was charged with his first loss of the season and dropped to 4-1 overall after allowing two runs on five hits and six walks in 5.2 innings for the Bulls. Shortstop Kyle Teaf drove in the only run of the game for USF with his ninth inning single, while third baseman Nik Alfonso was 1-for-2 with a run scored.
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