Becker Leads Softball Past Wisconsin 7-1

Friday, February 19

Raleigh, N.C.

2:00 PM

University of Louisville

5-1

Wisconsin

4-2

Wisconsin

Louisville

February 19, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

Becker gets the win in the circle, uses a double and a home run to drive in three runs

RALEIGH, N.C. - Junior Maryssa Becker got the win in the circle and went 2 for 2 with a double, a home run and three RBIs to propel the University of Louisville softball team to a 7-1 win over Wisconsin in game one of the ACC/Big Ten Softball Challenge Friday at NC State's Dail Stadium.

"I'm really happy with Maryssa Becker's performance today, not only on the mound, but also at the plate," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "Defensively, we had some great plays, especially from Hailey Smith and Brittany Sims on the left side."

The Cardinals jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Sophomore Sidney Melton got things started when she reached on a leadoff error and junior Jordan McNary followed with a single to push her early season hitting streak to five games. Becker laced a two-run double down the left field line and moved to third on the throw. Sophomore Nicole Pufahl's RBI hit sent Becker home to make the score 3-0.

The Badgers (4-2) got on the scoreboard with an unearned run in the top of the sixth. Leadoff hitter Kelsey Jenkins drew Becker's first walk of the season. Ashley Van Zeeland followed with a hit and was out at second when Chloe Miller reached on a fielder's choice to place runners on the corners with one out. A throwing error on Miller's stolen base sent Jenkins home to cut Louisville's lead to 3-1.

After the three-run first inning, Wisconsin's Mariah Watts entered the game to pitch in relief of starter Kirsten Stevens and held the Cards at bay through the next four innings, allowing only two base runners via a walk and a hit.

Louisville rediscovered its offense with three-straight home runs to start the home half of the sixth - setting a school record for consecutive homeruns in an inning. Becker started the slugfest with a leadoff shot over the fence in right centerfield for her first homer of the season. Freshman Megan Hensley blasted her second homer of the season over the left centerfield field. Pufahl's team-leading third homer of the year went over straight centerfield to push the Cards' lead to 6-1. The offensive output continued when senior Hailey Smith reached on an error, Szydlowski walked and both runners advanced on a wild pitch to set up senior Brittany Sims' RBI single which brought the score to 7-1.

"After the first three runs we put on the board, I was getting a little bit nervous, because we didn't make very good adjustments after they changed their pitcher," said Pearsall. "She kind of flattened out toward the end and we took advantage of it. Three home runs in a row is an awesome feat for any team. Maryssa hit one opposite field, Megan's was a towering shot - she has really proven that she's an all-around player- along with Maryssa. And Nicole certainly has shown her power this year."

Becker (2-1) earned the complete game win allowing an unearned run and striking out five while scattering two hits in 7.0 innings. She backed up her pitching performance with a 2 for 2, two run, three RBI showing at the plate. Pufahl went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs and Hensley was 2 for 3 with a home run.

Stevens (2-2) took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned on three hits in the first inning. Watts gave up three earned runs on four hits and struck out three in 4.0 innings of relief while Angela Morrow surrendered one unearned run on one hit in the sixth inning.

Louisville will return to action Saturday when the Cards face Nebraska at 12 p.m. followed by another game against Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m.