Louisville Powers Past Pittsburgh in Series Finale

Monday, April 5

Pittsburgh, PA

12:00 PM

University of Louisville

13-15, 5-16

Pittsburgh

10-21, 7-10

Louisville

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Ryan Greenwood

April 05, 2021 | Softball

Box Score

By: Lori Harmon

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The University of Louisville softball team used a season-high 12 hits, including three home runs to beat Pittsburgh 9-5 in the series finale Monday at Pitt's Vartabedian Field. With the win, the Cardinals clinch the series, moving to 13-15 on the season and 7-10 in ACC play.

Louisville will return to action on Wednesday when No. 8/7 Kentucky visits Ulmer Stadium.

Makayla Hurst had two hits, including a two-run homer, while Carmyn Greenwood's two-hit performance included double and two RBI. Taylor Roby chipped in with her team-best ninth home run of the season and Taryn Weddle tallied her first career homer to help lead the Cardinals at the plate.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first when Celene Funke drew a walk, stole second and sprinted home on Makayla Hurst's fielder's choice.

Louisville tacked on two more runs in the second when Maddy Newman legged out an infield single and moved to third on Gabby Holloway's base hit. Jenna Servi entered to run for Holloway and proceeded to steal second. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Sydney Bickel plated Newman and Carmyn Greenwood's single sent Servi home.

Weddle's two-run homer in the third pushed the lead to 5-0. Hurst connected on a two-out hit and was lifted for pinch runner Charley Butler to set up Weddle who smashed her first career home run over centerfield, increasing the lead to 5-0.

The fourth inning brought another Louisville run. Bickel continued the offense with a one-out hit and Carmyn Greenwood followed with an RBI double, making the score 6-0.

The Panthers broke through with a pair of runs in the fourth with RBI singles by Chandler Walter and EC Taylor.

Louisville got the two runs back and added another in the top of the sixth with back-to-back home runs from Roby and Hurst. Funke registered a two-out single to put one on for Roby who crushed her team-best ninth homer of the season. Hurst followed with a solo shot for her fifth home run of the year, pushing the Cards' ahead 9-2.

Pitt countered with another run in the home half of the sixth when Sarah Seamons doubled and crossed the plate on Walker Barbee's RBI hit, bringing the score to 9-3.

The Panthers continued their rally with a two-run homer from Cami Compson in the seventh, but the final score would stand at 9-5.

Jennifer Leonhard (2-4) picked up the win, surrendering three earned runs and striking out six in 3.1 innings of relief. Funke finished the day with two runs and a pair of stolen bases. Every player in the Cardinals' starting lineup tallied a hit in the game.

Makenzie Stiles (1-3) took the loss, giving up five earned runs on five hits in 2.1 innings.