Cards Top Kansas 5-3

Sunday, February 24

Knoxville, TN

9:00 a.m.

University of Louisville

5-5

Kansas

2-10

Louisville

Kansas

Photo by: Adam Creech | Louisville Athletics

February 24, 2019 | Softball

Box Score Louisville 5 - Kansas 3 (PDF)

Chung homers, Watson strikes out eight in Tennessee Classic opener

By: Lori Korte

Sophomore Danielle Watson struck out eight and freshman Rebecca Chung connected on a two-run homer to help the University of Louisville softball team beat Kansas 5-3 in the opening game of the Tennessee Classic Sunday morning.

The Cardinals (5-5) wasted no time getting their offense started as senior Sidney Melton led off the game with a triple and scored on junior Celene Funke's base hit. Funke proceeded to steal second and two outs later, Chung launched a shot over the centerfield wall for her second homer of the season to put Louisville up 3-0.

Louisville tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Sophomore Maddy Newman delivered a leadoff double and crossed the plate on Melton's single. Melton would eventually score on an error to push the Cardinals' lead to 5-0.

Kansas (2-10) countered with three runs in the home half of the fifth. Shelby Hughston walked and Sydnee Ramsey reached on a two-out error to set up Madison Sykes' three-run homer to make the score 5-3.

Watson (3-3) picked up the win, allowing three unearned runs and scattering three hits in seven innings, she also registered her first career hit at the plate with a double in the sixth inning. Melton went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs to help pace Louisville at the plate.

Kirsten Pruett (1-4) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on four hits in one inning.

Louisville will return to action Sunday at 4:30 p.m. against Bradley.

TEAM NOTES:
• Louisville now leads the series with Kansas 4-2
• Funke has reached safely via a hit or walk in nine straight games
• Melton moved her career run total to 119 and is now tied for ninth with Nicole Pufahl (2015-18) on Louisville's all-time list. She needs three more to move into a tie for eighth with Jordan Trimble (2010-13)
• Chung leads the team with a .500 batting average, two home runs, nine RBIs and a 1.000 slugging percentage
• Watson leads the team with a 1.73 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 32.1 innings