Seventh Inning Rally Lifts No. 6/4 Duke to 3-2 Win Over Louisville

Friday, March 22

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

6:00 PM

University of Louisville

19-11, 0

Duke

25-2, 0

Duke

Louisville

Photo by: Adam Creech | Louisville Athletics

Seventh Inning Rally Lifts No. 6/4 Duke to 3-2 Win Over Louisville

March 22, 2024 | Softball

Box Score

Cards build a 2-0 lead, but Blue Devils plate three runs in the top of the seventh

By: Lori Harmon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville softball team built a 2-0 lead, but No. 6/4 Duke scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the Atlantic Coast Conference series opener. Louisville (19-11, 0-4 ACC) and Duke (25-2, 6-1 ACC) will meet again Saturday at 1 p.m. in an ACC Network televised game.

The Cardinals jumped to an early lead with a run in the first inning. Chelsea Mack opened the home half of the frame with a walk and eventually came home on a double by Daisy Hess.

The game was a pitcher's duel with Alyssa Zabala carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning before surrendering an infield single to Kelly Torres, but the Cardinals' defense stood strong and finished the frame with an out at the plate when wild pitch sent Torres scampering for home, but catcher Kiley Goff collected the ball and teamed with Zabala who applied the tag to hold the Blue Devils at Bay.

Louisville added another run in the bottom of the sixth when Hess walked, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. One out later, Gabby Holloway delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 2-0.

Duke continued its offense in the top of the seventh, capitalizing on three hits and two walks to put up a three-spot. Tapia started the frame with a walk and D'Auna Jennings was safe on a bunt single. One out later, Claire Davidson's RBI double put the Blue Devils on the scoreboard and cut the lead in half. With two outs in the inning, Francesca Frelick's connected on a two-run single to put Duke on top 3-2.

Louisville had a chance to score in the home half of the frame, moving the tying run to third with one out. Maddi Grant led off with a double and was lifted for pinch runner Katie Thatcher who moved to third on Goff's sacrifice bunt. Duke reliever Lillie Walker retired the next two batters to seal the win.

Walker (11-0) did not allow a run and scattered two hits and struck out two in 1.2 innings of work,

Hess finished the game with a double, a stolen base, scored a run and had an RBI to lead the Cardinal offensively. Holloway also had a hit and an RBI. Alyssa Zabala (12-5) took the loss, scattering six hits in 6.2 innings while striking out four.