Thursday, March 21
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:00 PM
University of Louisville
7
at
16
Wake Forest
Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics
Cardinals Lose Series Opener at No. 14 Wake Forest
March 21, 2024 | Baseball
Louisville lost 16-7 on Thursday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The University of Louisville took a 16-7 loss at No. 14 Wake Forest in the series opener Thursday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Louisville (14-8, 1-3 ACC) has now lost three consecutive conference games after winning its ACC opener against Virginia Tech last Friday.
Wake Forest (15-6, 3-4) jumped out to the early lead on Thursday, getting three runs in the first and two more in the second.
The Cardinals answered back in the third though, getting a RBI single from Zion Rose before Luke Napleton tied the game with one swing, launching a grand slam off the batter's eye in centerfield. The home run was the team-leading seventh of the senior for the senior catcher.
Louisville grabbed its only lead of the night one inning later. Dylan Hoy singled inside the third base bag to drive home two and put the Cards up 7-5.
Wake Forest responded with three runs in the bottom half of the fourth to take the lead back and it would never trail again.
After a pair of scoreless innings from Kaleb Corbett, the Demon Deacons plated five runs in the seventh to put the game away before tacking on three more in the eighth.
Sebastian Gongora (3-1) took his first loss in a Louisville uniform, allowing eight runs (five earned) in 3.1 innings.
Napleton was 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs, while Rose added two hits of his own.
Louisville and Wake Forest will play game two of the series on Friday. First pitch has been moved up to noon ET with potential inclement weather in the forecast.
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Louisville (14-8, 1-3 ACC) has now lost three consecutive conference games after winning its ACC opener against Virginia Tech last Friday.
Wake Forest (15-6, 3-4) jumped out to the early lead on Thursday, getting three runs in the first and two more in the second.
The Cardinals answered back in the third though, getting a RBI single from Zion Rose before Luke Napleton tied the game with one swing, launching a grand slam off the batter's eye in centerfield. The home run was the team-leading seventh of the senior for the senior catcher.
Louisville grabbed its only lead of the night one inning later. Dylan Hoy singled inside the third base bag to drive home two and put the Cards up 7-5.
Wake Forest responded with three runs in the bottom half of the fourth to take the lead back and it would never trail again.
After a pair of scoreless innings from Kaleb Corbett, the Demon Deacons plated five runs in the seventh to put the game away before tacking on three more in the eighth.
Sebastian Gongora (3-1) took his first loss in a Louisville uniform, allowing eight runs (five earned) in 3.1 innings.
Napleton was 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs, while Rose added two hits of his own.
Louisville and Wake Forest will play game two of the series on Friday. First pitch has been moved up to noon ET with potential inclement weather in the forecast.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE BASEBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleBSB.
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