Louisville Downs No. 24/19 Virginia Tech 7-5

Friday, March 29

Blacksburg, VA

6:00 p.m.

University of Louisville

Virginia Tech

Celene Funke runs to third base on a triple during the game against Indiana State at Ulmer Stadium.

Photo by: Adam Creech | Louisville Athletics

March 29, 2019 | Softball

Box Score Louisville 7 - Virginia Tech 5

Cards halt Virginia Tech's 11-game win streak

By: Lori Korte

Junior Celene Funke went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple, scored two runs and drove in three to help lift the University of Louisville softball team to a 7-5 win over No. 24/19 Virginia in the opening game of an ACC series Friday evening at Tech Softball Park.

The Cards snapped Virginia Tech's 11-game win streak in a contest that featured three ties and three lead changes with the teams registering nine hits apiece. Sophomore Danielle Watson (7-8) picked up the win after striking out five and giving up one earned run on two hits.

The Cardinals (22-10, 4-3 ACC) jumped on the scoreboard early with three runs in the first inning. Junior Celene Funke led off the game with a walk, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home on a single by senior Sidney Melton. After a stolen base by Melton, Ferguson's bunt single put runners on the corners for Rebecca Chung's fielder's choice which saw Melton safe at the plate. Snyder's RBI groundout brought Ferguson home to extend the lead to 3-0.

The Hokies (28-5, 8-2) answered in the home half of the first. Virginia Tech loaded the bases with hit by Darby Trull and Emma Strouth and an error allowed Kelsey Bennett to reach to set up Grace Chavez's RBI hit, making the score 3-1.

Virginia Tech evened the score in the third behind a two-run homer by Kelsey Bennett.

The fourth inning brought another run for the Hokies after a double by Meredith Slaw set up Mackenzie Lawter's RBI single.

The Cardinals countered with a run in the fifth, starting the frame with back-to-back doubles by sophomore Maddy Newman and Funke. Hensley singled Funke home to put the Cards back on top 5-4.

Once again, the Hokies responded to even the score in the home half of the inning. Bennett singled and pinch-runner Cana Davis scored on a double by Caitlyn Nolan.

Funke's two-run triple pushed the Cards back ahead 7-5. Sophomore Kyra Snyder connected on a hit and senior Madison Cousineau was hit by a pitch to set up Funke's nation-leading ninth triple of the season.

In addition to Funke's performance at the plate, Louisville was also led by Melton, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI.

Carrie Eberle (17-2) took the loss, giving up seven runs, six earned, on nine hits and striking out six in a complete game effort.

NOTES:

With the win, Louisville takes a 7-6 lead in the series with Virginia Tech.
This marks the second won over a nationally-ranked team this season. The Cards also beat then-No. 15/17 Michigan on Feb. 6.
Chung leads the team with a .368 batting average and 23 RBIs.
Snyder is now on a four-game hitting streak and has reached safely via a hit or an error in the last seven games.
Melton now has 132 career runs, moving in to sole possession of seventh place on Louisville's all-time list. She needs six more to tie Jennifer Esteban (2010-13) for sixth.
Melton also has 50 career stolen bases and stands third on Louisville's all-time list. She needs 10 more to tie Esteban for second.
With her triple today, Funke extends her season total to nine, placing her second among Louisville's single season leaders. She needs one more to tie Audrey Rendon (2005) for first.
She now has 11 career triples and stands fourth on Louisville's all-time list, needing three more to move into a tie for third with Courtney Moore (2004-07).
Funke also continues to lead the nation in triples.