Cards Clinch Series with 5-2 Win Over Pitt

Saturday, March 18

LOUISVILLE, KY

1 p.m.

University of Louisville

17-7, 0

PITTSBURGH

14-10, 0

Pittsburgh

Louisville

March 18, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Louisville 5 - Pitt 2 Photo Gallery

Szydlowski and Goetz drive in a pair of runs, Becker picks up 12th career save

LOUSVILLE, Ky. - Junior Alison Szydlowski and sophomore Lillie Goetz drove in two runs apiece to help the University of Louisville softball team to a series-clinching 5-2 win over Pittsburgh Saturday at Ulmer Stadium. The teams will meet in the series finale Sunday at 12 p.m.

"We're very happy to get the win today," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "I thought Megan (Hensley) had a nice performance on the mound and we had some timely hitting - especially in the sixth inning when I felt like we needed to take some pressure off of our defense. Lillie Goetz really came through for us with a big hit and I was pleased with our defensive communication and executing routine plays."

The Cardinals (17-7, 2-0 ACC) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first behind junior Alison Szydlowski's two-run single. Senior Maryssa Becker earned a two-out walk. Junior Nicole Pufahl followed with a hit and senior Tiarra Sanabria walked to load the bases for Szydlowski who delivered a hit up the middle to plate Becker and Pufahl.

The Panthers (14-10, 0-5) got on the scoreboard in the sixth when Olivia Gray singled and took second on a passed ball. Groundouts by McKayla Taylor and Gabrielle Fredericks sent Gray home to pull Pitt within a run.

The Cards answered with three spot in the home half of the inning. Starting pitcher sophomore Megan Hensley delivered a two-out double and was lifted for pinch runner sophomore Michala Riggle. Junior Jenna Jordan followed with a walk and an RBI single by Soles pushed the lead to 3-1. Freshman Caitlin Ferguson walked to load the bases for sophomore Lille Goetz who added a pair of insurance runs with a pinch hit single down the left field line to make the score 5-1.

With Louisville leading 5-1 entering the seventh, Pitt attempted to rally and pushed across a run. Alexis Solak was hit by a pitch to start the frame. Erin Hershman singled and Alexee Haynes walked to load the bases with no outs. Becker entered the game to pitch with the tying run at the plate and got Hannah Edwards to ground out to Ferguson at short, allowing Hershman to score. Becker proceeded to strike out the next two batters to pick up her school-record tying 12^th career save.

Hensley (5-3) got the win, allowing two runs, one earned on five hits and striking out two in six innings and paced the Cards offensively with two hits.

Kayla Harris (6-5) took the loss after giving up five earned runs on eight hits and striking out three in six innings of work. Hershman went 2-for-3 at the plate.