University of Louisville
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Kansas
Softball Falls to Kansas 1-0
May 15, 2015 | Softball
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COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Louisville softball team fell 1-0 to Kansas in the first game in the opening game of the NCAA Regional Friday at Missouri's University Field. The Cardinals (30-18) will face the loser between Missouri and Indiana State in an elimination game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (ET). The game was originally slated for a 6 p.m. start, but the schedule has been adjusted because of inclement weather in the forecast.
Lightning in the area forced a 30-minute delay to start the game and a delay that lasted nearly two hours at the start of the fourth inning extended the afternoon. The teams played through two scoreless innings before Kansas broke through with a run in the bottom of the third. Chaley Brickey delivered a leadoff single and took second on Maddie Stein's groundout. A hit by Daniella Chavez brought Brickey home for the only run of the game.
The Cardinals had a chance to score in the third when Kristina Dillard was safe on an infield single and Hailey Smith reached on an error to put a pair of runners on with one out in the inning, but a pair of fly outs squelched the opportunity.
Kansas had an early scoring opportunity in the second inning when Jessie Roane reached on a wild pitch and infield singles by Shannon MGinley and Erin McGinley loaded the bases with one out. Briana Evans sent a grounder back to Maryssa Becker who teamed with catcher Kristina Dillard and first baseman Tiarra Sanabria for a double play to end the inning.
The Jayhawks had another chance to extend the lead in the sixth when Shannon McGinley led off with a single and Erin McGinley followed with a walk. Brianna Evans delivered a bunt single to load the bases. Becker and the Cardinal defense retired the next three batters to send the game to the top of the seventh with the score still 1-0.
In the top of the seventh, Kayla Soles sent a one-out shot to the left field wall, but KU's Shannon McGinley made a jumping catch at the wall for the second out of the inning to hold the Cardinals at bay.
"I'm obviously not pleased," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall" You don't want to start off an NCAA Regional with a loss. It makes life a lot harder. We hurt ourselves. We didn't play defense, and that's something that comes and goes a little bit with us, unfortunately. It came back to really bite us today. We did some good things offensively, but just not quite enough."
Maryssa Becker (14-8) took the loss, allowing one earned run on seven hits and striking out three in 6.0 innings. Dillard registered Louisville's only hit of the game.
Alicia Pille (24-6) got the complete game shutout, giving up one hit and striking out four in 7.0 innings. Shannon McGinley and Evans each went 2 for 3 in the game.
