Big Eighth Inning Propels No. 11 Louisville Past WKU

Wednesday, March 21

Bowling Green, KY

5:00 PM

University of Louisville

17-4

Western Kentucky

10-11

Louisville

WKU

Jake Snider had two hits at WKU, including the go-ahead two-run single in the eight inning.

Photo by: Jeff Reinking | Louisville Athletics

March 21, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Snider goes 2-for-2 with two RBIs, three runs scored, two walks and three stolen bases in the win

By: Garett Wall

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The No.11 Louisville baseball team erupted for a five-run eighth inning en route to an 8-5 road victory against Western Kentucky on Wednesday evening at Nick Denes Field.

Facing a 4-3 deficit entering the eighth inning, the Cardinals (17-4) gained command for good after scoring five runs on five hits to clinch their fourth straight victory against the Hilltoppers (10-11). Wednesday's eighth inning marked the 13th time this season Louisville has scored four or more runs in an inning. The Cardinals also registered their 10th come-from-behind victory of the season.

Sophomore Jake Snider paced the offense for Louisville finishing 2-for-2 with two RBIs, three runs scored, two walks and three stolen bases. Sophomore Tyler Fitzgerald was 2-for-5 with one RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases, while junior Devin Mann finished 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a stolen base. Freshman Lucas Dunn chipped in with two hits and scored once and sophomore Logan Wyatt doubled, drove in a run, scored once and walked twice.

On a staff day for the Louisville pitchers, graduate righthander Austin Conway was credited with the victory and moved to 2-1 on the season after twirling a scoreless inning of relief in the seventh. Junior righty Liam Jenkins, sophomore righty Austin Dickey and sophomore lefty Adam Elliott also twirled shutout relief appearances for the Cardinals.

The Hilltoppers opened the scoring with a run in the second inning on a leadoff home run to right center from Colie Currie. The Cardinals answered with a run in the third inning to even the score at 1-1 on a RBI double to left field by Wyatt. Snider was hit by a one-out pitch from Troy Newell and moved to second after an HBP for Mann before scoring on Wyatt's 10th double of the season.

WKU regained the lead at 2-1 on Jacob Rhinesmith's homer to left field to leadoff the fourth inning. It was the team-leading eighth home run of the season for Rhinesmith.

Louisville gained its first lead of the afternoon on Mann's two-run double down the left field line in the fifth inning. Fitzgerald and Snider reached base with walks from Michael Martin and both advanced with stolen bases before Mann's sixth double of the season drove both runners home for the 3-2 advantage.

Western Kentucky regained command in the sixth inning after a two-out error by the Cardinals allowed two runs to score. After Steven Kraft and Rhinesmith reached base with one-out singles, a two-out fly ball to right field off the bat of Tyler Robertson was misplayed allowing both runners to score for the 4-3 lead.

The Cardinals rebounded from their third deficit of the game by erupting for the decisive five-run eighth inning and an 8-4 advantage. Fitzgerald pulled Louisville even with his one-out RBI single to center to score freshman Zach Britton. Snider followed with a two-run single up the middle sending Dunn and Fitzgerald home for the 6-4 lead. Later in the inning, sophomore Danny Oriente connected on a two-run single to right field allowing Snider and Wyatt to score.

The Hilltoppers plated their final run of the night in the ninth inning. Austin Tibbs was charged with the loss for WKU dropping his record to 1-2 on the season.

Up next, No. 11 Louisville returns home for an ACC weekend series against No. 10 Clemson at Jim Patterson Stadium. The Cardinals and Tigers are set for Friday at 6 p.m., ET, Saturday at 1 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter at @UofLBaseball and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.

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