Cardinal Couple: Becker wins pitchers' duel against Kramer -- Louisville 1

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Becker wins pitchers' duel against Kramer -- Louisville 1 - WKU 0 -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

Becker 1-hitter, Jones homer lead Cards to 1-0 win over WKU

This time, Kelsi Jones knew it was out when it left the bat.

Kelsi went fence!

The senior from Carmel, IN led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a home run to right-center field to give Maryssa Becker the only run she needed in a 1-0 UofL win over Western Kentucky Wednesday night at Ulmer Stadium.

Jones had the winning home run against Virginia on March 15th. in a 5-4 triumph. She admitted to CARDINAL COUPLE in a post-game interview back then that she wasn't real sure if that shot was going to get over the left-center fence.

Last night, she "knew it when it left the bat" and produced the only run in this pitcher-controlled contest. The count was 3-2 when Jones blasted the high-arching shot onto the berm behind the outfield fence.

Becker was magnificent in limiting the Toppers to just one hit and no runners past second base. Shawna Sadler's single up-the-middle in the fourth inning broke up Becker's no-hit bid. Becker returned the favor by getting the first hit of the game for the Cards off Miranda Kramer in the bottom of the fourth.

Kramer also pitched a fantastic game for WKU, allowing just three hits in six innings. The nation's leader in strikeouts also fanned three Cardinals. After allowing Jones' home run, Kramer gave up a single to Jordan McNary. McNary advanced to third by stealing second and advancing on a fly-out but was left stranded when Kramer got Kayla Soles to pop out to her first baseman.

The Cardinal infield helped Becker's cause with two stellar fielding efforts. Shortstop Whitney Arion sprinted to snag a hard hit shot in the gap by WKU's Larissa Franklin in the first inning. Third base vacuum Hailey Smith made a nice move to capture a line drive by Lexie Norfleet in the seventh.

Becker gets her second one-hitter of the year and goes to 14-5 on the season. Kramer falls to 20-8 in an effort that would have been a win nine times out of ten.

Louisville (28-15) travels to Pittsburgh for a three game set this weekend to end the regular season. The Cards are in 4th place in the ACC with a 14-6 conference record and could tie with Notre Dame for third place (17-6) with a sweep.

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...ALSO APPEARING...

Some notable names in attendance last night to watch the Bat Cards perform. Noted ESPN writer Graham Hays was in the press box taking in the action. He was taking in the action to follow up on his excellent article from Wednesday morning on WKU's Miranda Kramer. You need to read this article. Link below:

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12781497/western-kentucky-miranda-kramer

Hays was also chatting up his good friend Jeff Walz...who attended the contest with the best lookin' gal in the ball-park...his daughter Lola. Walz was in great spirits and all smiles...successfully prodding my Derby pick out of me...DORTMUND. Gotta go with the "big guy"...especially out of the #8 hole. You'll find more on that over at my personal website...www.paulsykes.com

I've also got the Thursday (Thurby) Churchill Downs card handicapped over there and an early look at the Kentucky Oaks. Reader beware.

Assistant coaches Sam & Sam were also at the ballpark and we got some great audio from the both of them that we'll play on our 5/9/15 broadcast. It very well may be the first time Samantha Williams has provided almost five minutes of radio interview in history. She should talk more often...she's great at it.

Also representing WBB hoops were Bria Smith, Sherrone Vails, Sara Hammond and Megan Deines. The four were avid spectators of the contest between signing autographs and chatting with fans.

Co-owner of 502 Softball and former Cardinal slugger extraordinaire Alicja Wolny was also in attendance and still looks like she could go out and clear fence on her first swing. Loved the "Big Wol" and that purposeful grimace at the plate...

HAPPY THURBY TO YOU! ( I hate the name that's been stuck on the Thursday before Derby...but it is "Louisville's Day at the Races and it'll be packed at Churchill Downs today.)

Angel wishes all our readers a Happy Derby week. She's back in town and still remains my favorite WBB Card of all time.

The Divine Ms. Mac is the standard that they all need to strive for.

paulie
xxxxx

1 comment:

charlie mcadams4/30/2015 12:03 AM
Paulie, Samantha Williams was a student of mine in U.S. History at DuPont Manual High School. and I can say the following statements without reservations.
1. She was one of the best high school basketball players I have ever seen.
2. She was one of the sweetest High School student I have ever know.
3. Samantha was one the best students I have ever had.
4. And Samantha Williams was one of the quietest people I have ever known.
5. I would have taught a classful of Samantha's every day of every year.
6. She is truly a class act.
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