Softball eliminated from WCWS by BYU 6-4 -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDS RALLY BUT FALL SHORT IN COLUMBIA

The University of Louisville softball team got home runs from Maryssa Becker and Nicole Pufahl but couldn't pass BYU on the scoreboard...losing Friday afternoon 6-4 to the Cougars in Columbia, MO. WCWS regional play. 

It was a rocky start for the 35-17 Cards with Megan Hensley in the circle...BYU got a single and two walks in the top of the first inning from their first three batters and a sacrifice fly gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead to open the contest. 

Louisville responded in fine fashion. After Jordan McNary reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, Becker took a 3-2 pitch to deep left-center...clearing the bleachers to give Louisville a 2-1 advantage. 

The struggles for Hensley continued in the top of the third. Two singles put runners on for BYU's Libby Sugg...who put one out in nearly the same spot where Becker had earlier...to boost the Cougars to a 4-2 edge. The homer signaled the end of Hensley's day...Becker came in to the circle and got the Cards out of any further damage.

BYU loaded the bases on Becker in the fourth and Sugg connected for a two RBI single to right-center that increased the Cougar lead to 6-2

A pitcher's duel developed between Becker and and BYU's McKenna Bull for the next several innings...the Cards finally breaking through in the bottom of the sixth when Jenna Jordan reached on a fielder's choice and Tiarra Sanabria came into run for her. Nicole Pufahl cut the margin to 6-4 with a fence clearer and the Cards were showing signs of life.

Becker kept the Coogs scoreless in the top of the seventh but Louisville couldn't not respond in the final half-inning...getting a two-out double from Becker to put the tying run at the plate but a ground-out gave BYU the win.

So, Louisville earns the dubious distinction of being the first team eliminated from the WCWS. BYU advanced to the play-in game against Nebraska and subsequently lost 2-0.

A good season in many aspects for the Softball Cards...but things to work on in several areas for next season. We'll give the game and the season the wind-up and final pitch on today's radio show THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR today at 11 a.m.

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RADIO TODAY

Another exciting broadcast of THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR will hit the airwaves and Internet this morning at 11 a.m. Join Worldwide and me for discussions on softball, golf, track and field, volleyball and more at WCHQ 100.9 FM or on the Internet at Crescent Hill Radio.

Link below:

www.crescenthillradio.com


We'll also have audio from Jordan McNary, Lillie Goetz and Michala Riggle as they prepared to head to Columbia. A guaranteed good time for all...and if you're not happy at 11:59 a.m....we'll do a Jeff Walz and offer you your money back. 

paulie
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