Seventh Inning Rally Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Ohio State

Sunday, February 19

Chapel Hill, NC

10:00 AM

University of Louisville

7-2

Ohio State

5-3

Ohio State

Louisville

Seventh Inning Rally Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Ohio State

February 19, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Ohio State 4 - Louisville 3

Goetz drives in all three runs for the Cards

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Sophomore Lillie Goetz drove in three runs, but it wasn't enough as the University of Louisville softball team fell 4-3 to Ohio State in the final game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Cardinals drop to 7-2 after snapping a four-game win streak.

Goetz paced Louisville at the plate with a 2-for-3, three RBI performance, connecting on doubles in the first and seventh innings. Megan Hensley (1-1) took the loss after surrendering four earned runs on six hits and striking out two in a complete game effort.

The Buckeyes (5-3) jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Alex Bayne connected on a one-out solo homerun.

Louisville answered in the home half of the first when senior Maryssa Becker ripped a two-out single and Hensley earned a walk to set up Goetz's two-run double which put the Cards on top 2-1.

The teams played through four more scoreless innings before Ohio State's Anna Kirk launched a two-out solo homer to even the score at 2-2 in the top of the sixth.

The Buckeyes pulled ahead on Bayne's second homer of the game in the top of the seventh. Bri Betschel was safe on an infield hit and, one out later, Bayne's two-run shot gave Ohio State a 4-2 advantage.

After surrendering two hits and two runs in the first inning, Ohio State starter Lena Springer retired the next 16 batters before Hensley registered a single to start the bottom of the seventh. Freshman Celene Funke entered to pinch run and sprinted around the bases when Goetz smashed her second double of the game to make the score 4-3 and place the tying run in scoring position. Springer issued two strikeout and a fly out ended Louisville's threat.

Springer (1-0) got the win after giving up three earned runs and striking out seven in seven innings. Bayne went 2 for 4 with three RBIs to lead the Buckeyes offensively.

The Cardinals will return to action next week when they travel to Cathedral City, Calif. for the Mary Nutter Classic, to face No. 10/11 Arizona, national champion No. 4/6 Oklahoma, No. 25 BYU, No. 22 California and CS Fullerton.