Friday, April 10
South Bend, Ind.
5:00 PM
University of Louisville
at
University of Notre Dame
Photo by: Nicole Finch | Louisville Athletics
Louisville Falls in Series Opener to Notre Dame
April 10, 2026 | Softball
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Louisville jumped out early, but a five-run second inning from Notre Dame proved to be the difference as the Cardinals fell, 5-2, on the road Friday at Melissa Cook Stadium.
The Cards struck first in the opening frame, plating two runs on three hits. Bri Despines highlighted the inning with an RBI double down the left field line to score Easton Lotus, then came around to score on an infield single by Camryn Lookadoo combined with a Notre Dame error to give Louisville a 2-0 lead.
Notre Dame responded in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on defensive miscues to take control. The Fighting Irish scored five runs in the inning, with four coming unearned to build a 5-2 advantage.
Despines led the Cardinals offensively, going 1-for-3 with a double, RBI, and a walk. Madison Pickens added two hits, while Jordan Williams recorded an infield single as Louisville totaled five hits on the night.
In the circle, Alyssa Zabala was charged with the loss, allowing five runs (one earned) before Brooke Gray entered in relief and held Notre Dame scoreless over the final innings.
Louisville had opportunities late, including a runner in scoring position in the seventh, but was unable to capitalize as Notre Dame's Brianne Weiss closed out the complete-game effort.
The Cardinals will look to even the series in tomorrow's matchup at 1 p.m. ET.
The Cards struck first in the opening frame, plating two runs on three hits. Bri Despines highlighted the inning with an RBI double down the left field line to score Easton Lotus, then came around to score on an infield single by Camryn Lookadoo combined with a Notre Dame error to give Louisville a 2-0 lead.
Notre Dame responded in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on defensive miscues to take control. The Fighting Irish scored five runs in the inning, with four coming unearned to build a 5-2 advantage.
Despines led the Cardinals offensively, going 1-for-3 with a double, RBI, and a walk. Madison Pickens added two hits, while Jordan Williams recorded an infield single as Louisville totaled five hits on the night.
In the circle, Alyssa Zabala was charged with the loss, allowing five runs (one earned) before Brooke Gray entered in relief and held Notre Dame scoreless over the final innings.
Louisville had opportunities late, including a runner in scoring position in the seventh, but was unable to capitalize as Notre Dame's Brianne Weiss closed out the complete-game effort.
The Cardinals will look to even the series in tomorrow's matchup at 1 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
C/UT
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballSB: Highlights vs. Clemson
Sunday, March 15
Ranked Series Win: Louisville vs. Stanford
Monday, March 02
SB: Highlights vs. No. 13 Stanford
Saturday, February 28
Highlights: Louisville SB vs. No. 18 Florida State (Gm. 1)
Thursday, July 11
