Louisville Outlasts No. 25 Virginia in Nine-Inning Thriller

Thursday, April 17

Charlottesville, VA

5:00 PM

University of Louisville

23-18, 6-10

Virginia

31-14, 11-8

Louisville

Virginia

Louisville Outlasts No. 25 Virginia in Nine-Inning Thriller

April 17, 2025 | Softball

Box Score

The Cards upset the Cavaliers 6-5, handing them just their second home loss of the season

By: Kennedy Knisley

Charlottesville, Va. — The University of Louisville softball team pulled off an extra-innings win Thursday evening, holding off No. 25 Virginia 6-5 in a nine-inning battle at Palmer Park. The Cardinals (23-18, 6-10 ACC) outlasted the Cavaliers (31-14, 11-8 ACC) thanks to late-game resilience and a go-ahead double from Maddi Grant in the top of the ninth.

Louisville was led offensively by Easton Lotus, who went 4-for-5 with a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Char Lorenz also sparked the lineup with a 2-run homer in the 7th, giving the Cards breathing room before Virginia rallied back to tie it.

The Cavaliers struck first, plating a run in the first inning on a double from Bella Cabral. Louisville responded in the third with three runs, highlighted by a 2-RBI double from Camryn Lookadoo and an RBI single from Ally Alexander. After a few quiet innings, Lorenz's homer in the seventh stretched Louisville's lead to 5-1.

Virginia, however, wouldn't go quietly. In the bottom half of the inning, Jade Hylton hit a 3-run homer to cap off a 4-run rally that tied the game 5-5 and forced extras.

In the top of the ninth, with two outs and runners on, Grant stepped up as a pinch-hitter and delivered a clutch RBI double to right field, scoring Alexander from third and giving Louisville the final 6-5 edge.

Brooke Gray (8-6) was solid in relief, tossing the final 2.2 innings and shutting the door on the Cavaliers' offense, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out one. Virginia's Ava Hodges (3-4) took the loss after allowing the unearned run in the ninth.

Despite being outhit 11-10, Louisville played error-free defense and capitalized on Virginia's miscues to seal the win.

The series continues this weekend with a 5 p.m. ET game on Friday, April 18 and a 1 p.m. ET series finale on Saturday, April 19. All games are broadcast on ACCNX.