Cards Fall at Eastern Kentucky

Tuesday, April 16

Richmond, Ky.

6:00 PM

University of Louisville

24-19

Eastern Kentucky

33-5

Louisville

Eastern Ky.

April 16, 2024 | Softball

Box Score

EKU scores six runs in the second and holds off Louisville’s late-inning rally attempt in 6-2 win

By: Lori Harmon

RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Louisville softball team fell 6-2 to Eastern Kentucky in a midweek contest Tuesday evening at Gertrude Hood Field. The Cardinals (24-19) will return to Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend when they hit the road for a three-game series at North Carolina.

The Colonels (33-5) took an early lead, capitalizing on four hits, including a two-run homer by Lilly Davis – and a pair of Louisville errors to plate six runs in the second inning and held the Cardinals at bay as they battled back in the late innings.

The Cards had a scoring opportunity in the sixth inning, Kiley Goff was safe at first on an infield single, Hess reached on a fielder's choice and Mack delivered her second hit of the game to load the bases, but a fly out and a diving defensive play by EKU second baseman Madison Scott on a would-be hit by Vanessa Miller kept the Cards scoreless.

Louisville broke through in the top of the seventh inning when Bailee Richardson connected on a leadoff single. One out later, Maddi Grant launched a shot over the fence in left centerfield. The junior third baseman's first homer of the season made the score 6-2.

Brooke Gray (3-4) took the loss, surrendering four runs, two earned, on three hits. Mack went 2-for-3 with a stolen base to lead the Cardinals offensively.

Maddi Rutan (19-2) earned the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out four in a complete game effort. Rutan and Davis each tallied a pair of hits for the Colonels.