No. 23/25 Clemson Prevails in 11 Innings to take ACC Series Opener

Friday, March 19

LOUISVILLE, KY

7:00 P.M.

University of Louisville

9-8, 0

CLEMSON

17-2, 0

Clemson

Louisville

No. 23/25 Clemson Prevails in 11 Innings to take ACC Series Opener

March 19, 2021 | Softball

Box Score

By: Lori Harmon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville softball team battled with No. 23/25 Clemson through 10 innings before the Tigers broke through with four runs in the top of the eleventh to take the ACC series opener 4-0 Friday at Ulmer Stadium. The teams will meet again in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Louisville's first extra-inning game of the season featured a pitcher's duel through the first seven innings with Louisville's redshirt junior Taylor Roby held the Tigers in check, scattering three hits and did not allow a walk while striking out four and Clemson's Valerie Cagle surrendering two hits, three walks and fanning 10. Both teams played solid defense, backing the pitchers' efforts.

The Tigers (17-2, 9-2 ACC) broke through with four runs in the eleventh. JoJo Hyatt got the frame started with a hit McKenzie Clark followed with a triple to break open the stalemate. Cagle singled home Clark and Marissa Guimbarda's two-run homer put Clemson on top 4-0.

The Cardinals (9-8, 3-3) attempted to rally in the home half of the inning when junior Rebecca Chung singled and junior Cassady Greenwood walk to put two on, but a strikeout and a groundout ended the game.

Redshirt senior Carmyn Greenwood led the Cardinals at the plate with two hits, but Louisville (9-8, 3-3 ACC) could not could not push a run across, despite having runners in scoring position in seven different innings and stranding 11 in the game. Roby added a hit to extend her season-best hitting streak to nine games. Senior Elana Ornelas also singled for the Cards.

Jennifer Leonhardt took the loss, giving up two earned runs on two hits and issuing three strikeouts, including a crucial one in the ninth with a runner in scoring position to keep the Tigers off of the scoreboard. Freshman Gabby Holloway allowed two earned runs on three hits and registered a strikeout.

Cagle (11-1) went the distance to get the complete game shutout, scattering eight hits and striking out 14 in 11.0 innings. She also went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

NOTES:

Friday's game marked the first-ever meeting between Louisville and Clemson
The 11-inning contest marked Louisville's first since May 4, 2019 when the Cardinals fell 7-6 at NC State.
Louisville is now 4-2 in home contests this season.
Carmyn Greenwood extends her hitting streak to six games and has reached safely in eight straight contests. She is also tied with Roby for a team-best six multi-hit games.