Cardinals Even Series Behind Stowers’ Three-Hit Game

Saturday, April 8

LOUISVILLE, KY

1:00 PM

University of Louisville

26-4, 11-3

WAKE FOREST

23-9, 9-5

Wake Forest

Louisville

Ryan Summers slides home for the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of Saturday's win.

Photo by: Mike DeZarn

Cardinals Even Series Behind Stowers’ Three-Hit Game

April 08, 2017 | Baseball

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Sophomore delivered two-out RBI single in the eighth to push Louisville ahead for good in 7-6 win over Wake Forest

By: Garett Wall

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sophomore Josh Stowers had a career-high three hits, including a pivotal RBI single in the eighth inning, to lead the No. 2 Louisville baseball team to a 7-6 win over No. 17 Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon at Jim Patterson Stadium.

The Cardinals (26-4, 11-3 ACC) overcame a 5-3 deficit by scoring two runs in the seventh inning and two runs in the eighth to even the weekend series against the Demon Deacons (23-9, 9-5 ACC). The teams will play the deciding game in the three-game set on Sunday at 1 p.m., ET and admission is free.

Stowers finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two stolen bases and scored three runs while also delivering a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning to push Louisville ahead for good in Saturday's win. Junior Brendan McKay added a two-run double and walked twice, while senior Logan Taylor tripled, drove in a pair of runs and scored two times.

Senior righthander Jake Sparger earned the win on the mound and moved to 3-0 on the season after allowing just one run with two strikeouts in two innings of relief. Junior righty Lincoln Henzman closed the game for the Cardinals and registered his ninth save of the season despite surrendering one run in the ninth inning.

Louisville opened the scoring in the first inning when McKay delivered a two-run double for a 2-0 advantage. Taylor led off the inning by reaching base on a fielding error by Wake Forest third baseman Johnny Aiello and junior Colby Fitch followed with a walk before McKay drove both players home with his two-bagger down the left field line on a 3-2 pitch from Donnie Sellers.

The Demon Deacons answered Louisville's two-run first inning with a three-run second as Logan Harvey connected for a two-out, three-run double against junior righthander Kade McClure. Gavin Sheets singled up the middle to start the inning and was followed by back-to-back strikeouts before Bruce Steel reached base with a bunt single. A walk to Keegan Maronpot loaded the bases before Harvey sent a 1-1 pitch into left center to push Wake Forest ahead.

Two innings later, the Cardinals evened the score at 3-3 after Taylor drove Stowers in with a RBI groundout in the fifth. However, Wake Forest regained the lead in the sixth inning when Aielo sent a 0-2 pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run and 4-3 advantage. The Demon Deacons extended the lead with a run in the top of the seventh on a two-out RBI single by Stuart Fairchild.

Louisville then matched Wake Forest at 5-5 by delivering a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Stowers singled against Sellers before scoring the first run of the inning on a triple down the right field line by Taylor off reliever John McCarren. Fitch followed with a RBI single up the middle to drive Taylor home.

The Cardinals moved back in front for the final time in the eighth inning after scoring two more two-out runs. McKay started the inning with a four-pitch walk from McCarren and was then replaced by pinch runner Ryan Summers. The speedy senior swiped second moments later for his sixth stolen base of the season before scoring the go-ahead run later in the inning when Stowers singled up the middle on a 0-1 pitch from Morgan McSweeney for a 6-5 lead. Stowers took second on his 13th stolen base of the season before scoring an important insurance run for Louisville on a two-out RBI single by sophomore Devin Mann.

The Demon Deacons cut the deficit to a single run in the ninth inning when Jonathan Pryor scored from third on a two-out wild pitch by Henzman. After an intentional walk to Ben Breazeale loaded the bases, Henzman ended the game with a strikeout of Aiello.

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