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No. 17/18 Cards Take Down Loyola 6-1 and Eastern Michigan 3-2
March 13, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - Kristen Wadwell posted 24 strikeouts on the day, including a school-record 16 against Eastern Michigan as the No. 17/18 University of Louisville softball team defeated Loyola (Chicago) 6-1 and Eastern Michigan 3-2 in the Courtyard by Marriott Airport Cardinal Tournament Friday afternoon. The Cards improve to 20-2 on the season. In the game against Loyola, the Cards had seven hits, including a solo home run by Wadwell and a 2 for 3 performance by Colby Wherry in the sixth inning. Wadwell picked up the win, allowing only one baserunner via a walk and striking out eight. The Ramblers took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Stephanie Cihlar led off with an infield single, moved to third on a Cardinal error and scored on a hit by Haley Ambrosch. U of L answered in the fourth when Wherry and Roth walked and Kristin Austin followed with an RBI-run double which sent pinch runner Megan Bivins home. Roth crossed the plate on a passed ball to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead. The Cards tacked on four runs in the sixth. Wadwell led off the inning with her first home run of the season. Wherry and Roth registered back to back doubles to make it a 4-1 game. Austin walked and Chelsea Bemis' double scored Wherry. Austin came home on a wild pitch to increase the score to 6-1. Wadwell (14-2) got the win, tossing 4.0 innings in relief and did not allow a hit while striking out eight. Freshman Tori Collins started the game and gave up one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts. Amy Solava (4-4) took the loss, giving up two runs, one earned and striking out one in 3.2 innings. The Ramblers drop to 8-6. In their second game of the day, the Cards avenged one of their two losses on the season with a 3-2 win over Eastern Michigan, but needed three runs in the sixth to do it. Down 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Vanessa James registered an RBI single to pull within one and Melissa Roth connected on a two-out, two-run double for the game-winner.
The teams battled through five scoreless innings before Eastern Michigan broke through with two runs in the sixth. Jessica Richards reached on an infield single and moved to third when Heather Han reached on a Louisville error. Kelsey Greene's base hit scored Richards and Han crossed the plate on a wild pitch. The Cards answered in the home half of the inning when Wherry reached on a fielder's choice and Patrika Barlow delivered a two-out single to place runners at first and second. James' hit up the middle brought Wherry home and Roth stepped up to the plate and sent a two-run double to centerfield for the 3-2 win. Wadwell struck out the side in order to finish the game. Wadwell (15-2) notched her second win of the day and set a new school record with 16 strikeouts in the game, breaking Aja Sherman's mark set on March 25, 2005 against Western Kentucky. Roth and James were each 2 for 3. Roth was 1 for 3 with two RBI. Michelle Hletko (2-4) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and striking out three in 5.2 innings. McKenna Russ paced Eagles offensively, going 2 for 3 at the plate. Louisville (20-2) will face No. 17/22 Ohio State at noon and Minnesota at 2 p.m. Saturday. |
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