Cardinals Rally Late to Beat Marshall 5-4

Tuesday, April 23

Huntington, WV

3:00 p.m.

University of Louisville

32-15

Marshall

28-17

Louisville

Marshall University

Megan Hensley hits the ball against Georgia Tech

April 23, 2019 | Softball

Box Score Louisville 5 - Marshall 4

Cards scored two runs with two outs in the top of the seventh to pick up their sixth straight win

By: Lori Korte

The University of Louisville softball team scored two runs with two outs in the top of the seventh to beat Marshall 5-4 in a midweek road game Tuesday evening at Dot Hicks Field.

With the Cardinals trailing 4-3 and down to their last out in the top of the seventh, junior Celene Funke doubled to put the tying run in scoring position. Redshirt senior Sidney Melton followed with her fifth triple of the season to even the score at 4-4. Senior Megan Hensley stepped up to the plate and connected on a double to put the Cards ahead 5-4.

In a game that saw three lead changes and two ties, the Cardinals outhit the Thundering Herd 11-5.

Funke and Melton each went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Funke had a pair of doubles and Melton tallied a triple and added a stolen base. Hensley finished the game with a single, a double and the game-winning RBI.

Redshirt freshman Taylor Roby (13-1) picked up the win in the circle, giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits and striking out three in 2.0 innings of relief. Hensley started the game in the circle and turned in a solid performance, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and striking out two in 5.0 innings of work.

Marshall (28-17) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first after Aly Harrell's two run homer which also plated Rachel Rousseau who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.

The Cardinals broke through with a pair of runs in the fifth. Singles by sophomore Kyra Snyder and Cassady Greenwood put two on for sophomore Maddy Newman's base hit. An error on the play sent pinch-runner Paige Schindler home. Funke's groundout plated another run to even the score at 2-2.

Louisville's offense continued in the sixth when freshman Rebecca Chung crushed a two-out solo shot over the fence in left centerfield to put the Cards on top 3-2.

The Herd countered with another two-run homer in the sixth. This time an error allowed Harrell to reach, setting the table for Mya Stevenson's home run which made the score 4-3.

Abigail Tolbert (17-13) took the loss after giving up five runs, three earned, on 11 hits and striking out five in a complete game effort. Harrell paced the Herd at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.

The Cardinals (32-15, 11-7 ACC) will return to action this weekend for final home series of the season as they welcome ACC opponent North Carolina to Don Dobina Field at Ulmer Stadium for a three-game series. The weekend will also mark the final home games for seniors Blaire Bass, Madison Cousineau, Darrianne Hale, Megan Hensley and Sidney Melton.

Notes following the Marshall game:
• The Cardinals have now won six straight and eight of their last nine.
• UofL leads the series with Marshall 6-2.
• As a team, Louisville has registered a program-record 88 stolen bases on 102 attempts on the season. The previous record was 68 (95 attempts), set in the 2010 season
Player Notes
• Sidney Melton has reached safely in the last 11 games and is on a five-game hitting streak.
• Melton leads the team with a .353 average and has collected a career-high 31 RBIs.
• Melton also leads the team with a career-high 25 stolen bases and stands third on Louisville's single-season list, needing two more to tie Audrey Rendon (2008) for second.
• She now has 58 stolen bases in her career, placing her third on Louisville's all-time list and needs three more to move into a tie for second with Jennifer Esteban (2010-12).
• Celene Funke is on a seven-game hitting streak and has reached safely in the last eight games.
• Funke leads the team with 44 runs and stands second with 23 stolen bases.
• Megan Hensley extends her career RBI total to 166 and is now tied for third with Katie Keller (2011-14) on Louisville's all-time list. She needs eight more to move into a tie for second with Courtney Moore (2004-07).