Softball Falls Short in 4-2 Loss to No. 20/23 Notre Dame

Friday, May 13

Raleigh, N.C.

3:30 PM

University of Louisville

35-15

Notre Dame

41-10

Notre Dame

Louisville

Softball Falls Short in 4-2 Loss to No. 20/23 Notre Dame

May 13, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

Cards unable to capitalize on late scoring opportunities in ACC semifinal loss

RALEIGH, N.C. – The University of Louisville softball had late-inning scoring opportunities, but fell short in a 4-2 loss to No. 20/23 Notre Dame in the semifinals of the ACC Championship on Friday evening at NC State's Dail Stadium.

Louisville (35-15) will learn its postseason fate when the 64-team NCAA tournament field is revealed on Sunday at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.

Notre Dame used two hits, a walk and an error to jump to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Ali Wester drew a one-out walk, stole second and took third on an error. Micaela Arizmendi followed with an RBI hit to put the Irish on the scoreboard. Caitlyn Brooks walked and one out later, a two run single by Morgan Reed added to the lead.

Louisville got a run back in the home half of the first when junior Maryssa Becker blasted a shot over the left field fence for her ninth homer of the season to make the score 3-1.

The Irish tacked on another run in the fourth. Singles by Reed and Casey Africano started the frame. One out later, an infield hit by Bailey Bigler loaded the bases for Karley Wester whose grounder to third base saw Reed out at the plate, but kept the bases full for Ali Wester's infield hit which sent Africano home to make the score 4-1.

The Cards added a run in the sixth when senior Brittany Sims walked and moved to third on a pinch hit single by freshman Lillie Goetz. Junior Morgan Meyer re-entered the game to run for Goetz and stole second to put two runners in scoring position for junior Jordan McNary who connected on an RBI hit to cut the lead to two runs.

The Cards had scoring opportunities with bases loaded in the third and fourth innings, but Nasland and the Irish defense kept them at bay. Louisville had a final chance to score in the bottom of the seventh when back-to-back hits by sophomore Jenna Jordan and Melton put two on board with two outs, but Notre Dame starter Rachel Nasland delivered a strikeout to end the game. The Cards stranded 12 runners in the game.

Freshman Megan Hensley (15-5) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on two hits in one inning. Becker surrendered one run on six hits and struck out five. She retired seven straight batters to end the game. McNary went 2 for 3 with an RBI while Melton was 2 for 4 with a double to pace the Cards offensively.

Nasland (15-3) got the win, allowing two earned runs on nine hits and striking out seven in a complete game effort. Reed was 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Notre Dame (41-10) will face No. 6/6 Florida State in Saturday's championship game.