Cardinals Take Down No. 21/21 Duke

Friday, April 16

LOUISVILLE, KY

7:00 P.M.

University of Louisville

16-17, 0

DUKE

27-10, 0

Duke

Louisville

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

April 16, 2021 | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Nicole Venema

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Taylor Roby tossed a complete game shutout and the Cardinals capitalized on triples by Celene Funke and Charley Butler as the University of Louisville softball team defeated No. 21/21 Duke 2-0 in the ACC series opener Friday at Ulmer Stadium. The teams will meet again in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

"I thought this was a well-played game, from our pitching and our defense and I really liked the way we were swinging our bats - I thought we had quality at bats up and down the lineup," said UofL head coach Holly Aprile. "Taylor Roby came out and had a great performance for us on the mound with a complete game - and Duke is a really tough team. And I thought we made some really nice defensive plays behind her. This was one of the best-played games I think we've had this season. I was really proud of the whole team."

Louisville (16-17, 10-12 ACC) jumped to an early lead in the first inning. Celene Funke got the offense started with a triple to centerfield and crossed the plate when Taylor Roby reached on an error.

Charley Butler dished up her first triple of the season which geared up another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth. Sydney Bickel delivered an RBI single, sending Butler home to increase the Cards' lead to 2-0.

Three Cardinals went 1-3 at the plate today, Carmyn Greenwood, Celene Funke and Charley Butler.

Taylor Roby (9-8) went the distance in the win, scattering four hits and striking out five and allowing only five baserunners to reach during the game. Carmyn Greenwood, Funke, Butler, Maddy Newman and Bickel each had a hit for the Cardinals.

Peyton St George (11-6) took the loss for the Blue Devils giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits and striking out six in 6.0 innings. Four different players had hits for Duke (27-10, 15-10 ACC) as the Blue Devils stranded all four.

NOTES:

This marks Louisville second win against a top-25 team this season. The Cards also beat No. 19 Virginia Tech 3-2 on March 27 at Ulmer Stadium.
Celene Funke extends her career triple total 22, she currently stands second on Louisville's all-time list and needs four more to tie Audrey Rendon for first.