Thursday, May 1
Pittsburgh, PA
2:00 PM
University of Louisville
25-23, 8-14
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19-30, 6-16
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Louisville
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Cardinals Blast Past Pitt in 8-3 Series Opener
May 01, 2025 | Softball
Louisville will return for the final two games tomorrow at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Powered by three home runs and a strong outing from starting pitcher Alyssa Zabala, the University of Louisville softball team opened its series at Pittsburgh with an 8-3 victory on Thursday afternoon at Vartabedian Field.
The Cardinals (25-23, 8-14 ACC) exploded for three runs in the third and fifth innings before tacking on two more in the seventh to pull away from the Panthers (19-30, 6-16 ACC). Zabala (10-9) tossed 6.1 innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out five to earn the win.
Louisville's offense was highlighted by long balls from Char Lorenz, Bri Despines, and Madison Pickens. Lorenz led the way, going 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, including her team-leading eighth home run of the season.
Despines continued her impressive season with a two-hit, one-RBI performance, while Pickens added two hits and drove in one.
The Cardinals capitalized on Pitt's defensive miscues, which included three errors, and made the most of their 10 hits. Chelsea Mack and Easton Lotus added speed at the top of the lineup, combining for three runs scored and getting on base four times.
In the circle, Zabala was efficient and composed, tossing 113 pitches before handing the ball to Brooke Gray, who closed out the final two outs to secure the win.
Louisville will look to clinch the series tomorrow with a doubleheader slated for 1 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET on ACCNX.
The Cardinals (25-23, 8-14 ACC) exploded for three runs in the third and fifth innings before tacking on two more in the seventh to pull away from the Panthers (19-30, 6-16 ACC). Zabala (10-9) tossed 6.1 innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out five to earn the win.
Louisville's offense was highlighted by long balls from Char Lorenz, Bri Despines, and Madison Pickens. Lorenz led the way, going 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, including her team-leading eighth home run of the season.
Despines continued her impressive season with a two-hit, one-RBI performance, while Pickens added two hits and drove in one.
The Cardinals capitalized on Pitt's defensive miscues, which included three errors, and made the most of their 10 hits. Chelsea Mack and Easton Lotus added speed at the top of the lineup, combining for three runs scored and getting on base four times.
In the circle, Zabala was efficient and composed, tossing 113 pitches before handing the ball to Brooke Gray, who closed out the final two outs to secure the win.
Louisville will look to clinch the series tomorrow with a doubleheader slated for 1 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET on ACCNX.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Zabala, Alyssa (10-9)
L: Kyra Pittman (10-18)
Batting:
2B: Lookadoo, Camryn 1
HR: Lorenz, Char 1 ; Despines, Bri 1 ; Pickens, Madison 1
RBI: Lorenz, Char 2 ; Despines, Bri 1 ; Lookadoo, Camryn 1 ; Pickens, Madison 1
SH: Monroe, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lotus, Easton 1 ; Mack, Chelsea 2 ; Lorenz, Char 2 ; Despines, Bri 2 ; Pickens, Madison 1
HBP: Lorenz, Char 1
Batting:
2B: Ana Hernandez 1
RBI: Tieley Vaughn 2 ; Ana Hernandez 1
SH: Tieley Vaughn 1 ; Amanda Ramirez 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kaitlyn Brannstrom 1 ; Ana Hernandez 1 ; Ahmari Braden 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C/UT
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
INF/C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballC/UT
/ Softball
RHP
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