Softball Falls Short Against Notre Dame in Series Finale

Sunday, March 18

LOUISVILLE, KY

12:00 PM

University of Louisville

20-8, 0

NOTRE DAME

19-8, 0

Notre Dame

Louisville

Softball Falls Short Against Notre Dame in Series Finale

March 18, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Notre Dame 7 - Louisville 2 Photo Gallery

Cards jump ahead early, but Irish use a three-run third and four-run seventh to win 7-2

By: Lori Korte

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville softball team took an early 2-0 lead, but fell 7-2 to Notre Dame in its ACC-opening series finale Sunday at Ulmer Stadium. The Cardinals (20-8, 0-3 ACC) will return to action Tuesday, when they travel to Bloomington, Ind., to face Indiana University.

Louisville jumped on the scoreboard in the first inning when junior Sidney Melton sent a one-out solo shot over the centerfield fence for her first home run of the season. Sophomore Caitlin Ferguson walked and scored on a triple by junior Megan Hensley.

The Irish (19-8, 4-1) answered with three runs in the top of the third. Alexis Bazos singled, Abby Sweet was hit by a pitch and Morgan Reed's base hit loaded the bases for a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cait Brooks. Melissa Rochford followed with a two-run single to push Notre Dame ahead 3-2.

Notre Dame used three hits, a walk and an error to put up a four-spot in the seventh inning. The Irish got RBI singles from Sweet and Reed to go up 5-2. A groundout by Brooks and a Louisville miscue send home two more runs to extend Notre Dame's lead to 7-2.

The Cards had runners in scoring position in the second, third and fourth, but could not capitalize on the opportunities while leaving seven on base in the contest.

Hensley (7-3) went 2-for-3 with a triple and a double to lead UofL at the plate. The junior took the loss in the circle after allowing seven runs, six earned, on eight hits and striking out three in a complete game effort.

Alexis Holloway (13-4) picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out three in six innings. Reed led the Irish with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate, scoring two runs and driving in one.