Late Inning Errors Costly in Softball's 2-1 Loss to No. 11 Kentucky

Wednesday, April 27

Louisville, Ky.

6:00 PM

University of Louisville

32-11

KENTUCKY

40-11

Kentucky

Louisville

Late Inning Errors Costly in Softball's 2-1 Loss to No. 11 Kentucky

April 27, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

Cards fall 2-1 to No. 11 Kentucky in lightning-delayed game

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville softball team was leading 1-0 before a 54-minute lightning delay in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the University of Kentucky scored two unearned runs in the top of the seventh to beat the Cards 2-1 in their home finale Wednesday evening at Ulmer Stadium.

After a scoreless inning of play, the Cardinals (32-11) broke through with a run in the second. Senior Brittany Sims earned a one-out walk and junior Jordan McNary followed with triple to right centerfield to give Louisville a 1-0 lead.

Louisville starting pitcher Maryssa Becker (19-6) and the Cardinal defense used six strikeouts and turned two double plays to hold Kentucky scoreless through six innings of play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Becker drew a leadoff walk and was lifted for pinch runner junior Tiarra Sanabria who moved to third on freshman Megan Hensley's double to place two runners in scoring position to start the home half of the inning. After a groundout by pinch hitter senior Morgan Hart, the game moved into a 54-minute lightning delay. When play resumed sophomore Nicole Pufahl lined out sharply to second base to bring up Sims who walked to load the bases. Kentucky starting pitcher Kelsey Nunley got McNary to ground out to hold the Cards at bay.

The Wildcats (40-11) capitalized on three hits an error and a passed ball to score a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh. Katie Reed connected on a one-out hit and one out later, an error on Nikki Sagermann's grounder saw Reed safe at second. Abbey Cheek followed with an RBI single to even the score at 1-1. A passed ball moved the runners into scoring position for Brooklin Hinz's RBI hit which put Kentucky on top 2-1.

"We made mistakes and mental mistakes and that's what cost us the game," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We just didn't make the plays that we needed to make and that's something that has plagued us all year. I thought Maryssa Becker did a good job out there, she may have allowed some hits, but she got some crucial outs when we needed her to."

Becker (19-6) took the loss after giving up two unearned runs on 11 hits and striking out six in seven innings. Hensley went 2 for 3 to pace the Cards at the plate.

Nunley (19-5) picked up the win, allowing one earned run on four hits and striking out seven in a complete game effort. Cheek and Reed each had three hits in the game to lead the Wildcats offensively.

Louisville will resume ACC play this weekend when the Cards travel to South Bend, Ind., to take on No. 18/19 Notre Dame.