Softball Cards go 1-1 at Rutgers

Senior catcher Melissa Roth slugged an 11th inning two run homer to lead the Cards to victory in the second game 6-4. The Cards dropped the opener 3-1 to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Louisville split the doubleheader at Rutgers Wednesday. Kristen Wadwell drew the starting assignment for the first game and although she allowed only three runs on five hits, the Cards could only manage three hits in the first game. Wadwell struck out seven Rutgers batters in the contest.

The Cards fell behind in the opener 2-0 in the second inning because of a couple of errors that allowed the Scarlet Knights to plate the runs that would be the difference in the game. Louisville did manage to push a run across the plate in the fourth inning when Jordan Trimble scored on a Chelsea Bemis single.

Louisville jumped on Rutgers early in the second game when Roth scored on a Trimble single in the first and Louisville increased the lead to 2-0 in the third on a Roth solo homer. Rutgers, though...rallied with four runs in the bottom of the inning, largely due to a three run base clearer over the fence by Rutgers pitcher Brittany Lindley.

Louisville tied the contest in the fourth on a Kristen Austin single that scored Colby Wherry and Bemis. The teams went scoreless until Roth's two run blast in the top of the eleventh.

Tori Collins went nine innings for the Cards, allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out nine. Kristin Wadwell got the "W" for Louisville with two scoreless innings of relief.

Louisville returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader vs. Notre Dame at Ulmer Stadium. It is also "Bark in the Park" day at Cardinal Park...bring your dogs for a romp on the grounds...or just run around and bark by yourself...if you prefer. Plenty of time to catch the action and then head down to the river to watch Thunder over Louisville.

If softball isn't your thing...the lacrosse team will be in action Saturday also...hosting Jacksonville.

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Today is the first day of the late signing period for high school seniors still uncommitted on their college basketball choices. The open period runs thru May 20th. Jeff Walz could add a couple of recruits to the class of 2010, including one that would be a real catch, guard Shoni Schimmel from Franklin Portland (OR) high school.

Good luck, Jeff. Come to the 'Ville, Shoni. You'll be playing in the new SONJA downtown arena in front of some of the most knowledgable and supportive fans in women's college basketball and going to school in the best college sports town in America.

Written by Sonja
4/15/10