No. 24 Cardinals Walk Off Sycamores in Series-Opener

Friday, April 27

LOUISVILLE, KY

6:00 PM

University of Louisville

28-13

INDIANA STATE

20-18

Indiana State

Louisville

Josh Stowers had the game-winning RBI double in Friday's walk-off win over Indiana State.

Photo by: Jeff Reinking | Louisville Athletics

April 27, 2018 | Baseball

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Louisville wins after Stowers drives Wyatt home with ninth inning RBI double

By: Garett Wall

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Josh Stowers delivered a RBI double in the ninth inning to score Logan Wyatt and lift the No. 24 Louisville baseball team to a 3-2 walk-off win against Indiana State in Friday night's series-opener at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Facing a one-run deficit after surrendering a run in the top of the ninth, the Cardinals (28-13) answered in the bottom of the inning by scoring two runs on two hits and a walk without recording an out to earn their second walk-off win of the season. Friday's game marked Louisville's fifth straight one-run game, the longest streak in school history.

Devin Mann started the decisive ninth inning in Louisville's annual Patriotic Game by overcoming a 0-2 count to earn a leadoff walk from Sycamores (20-18) closer Ethan Larrison. The Cardinals then tied the score and connected for the game-winner on back-to-back pitches after Mann's walk. Wyatt followed the walk by driving Mann home with a RBI double to right center before scoring the clinching run when Stowers pulled the first pitch he saw down the left field line. As he arrived at second base, Stowers was surrounded by teammates as they celebrated the win.

Wyatt's ninth inning hit capped a 2-for-4 performance for the sophomore, who leads the Cardinals with his 18 doubles and 36 RBIs. Stowers finished 1-for-3 at the plate, Mann walked twice and Tyler Fitzgerald was 1-for-3 to extend his career-best hitting streak to 14 games.

Sophomore righty Shay Smiddy was credited with the win and moved to 4-1 on the season allowing one run on two hits in one inning relief. Junior Adam Wolf did not figure into the decision despite another strong outing for the lefthanded starter, who allowed just one run on five hits with six strikeouts in eight innings. Wolf has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his 11 starts this season.

The Cardinals struck first on Friday after Pat Rumoro drove Oriente home with a RBI groundout in the fifth inning. Oriente led off the inning with a walk from Tristan Weaver, moved to second on a single by Lucas Dunn and took third on a sacrifice bunt from Justin Lavey before scoring on Rumoro's groundball to the shortstop.

Indiana State evened the score at 1-1 in the eighth inning on a solo home run from Jake Means, who sent a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for his seventh round-tripper of the season. The Sycamores gained a 2-1 lead an inning later after CJ Huntley doubled down the left field line before scoring on a RBI single by Dane Giesler.

Huntley finished 2-for-4 at the plate for the Sycamores. Larrison took the loss for ISU and dropped to 1-6 on the season after allowing two runs on two hits in 1.0+ innings of relief.

No. 24 Louisville and Indiana State will continue the series on Saturday at 1 p.m., while the weekend finale is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

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

2018 LOUISVILLE BASEBALL TICKETS
Single game tickets for the 2018 University of Louisville baseball season can be purchased online at GoCards.com/bsbtickets, by phone at 502-GO-CARDS or by visiting the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office, located near Gate 2 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (2800 South Floyd Street) on weekdays from 9 a.m., until 5 p.m., ET.