GRAY'S CIRCLE EFFORT FALLS SHORT
If you love a softball game where pitching dominates and hits come at a premium, Ulmer Stadium was the place for you Saturday.
In a reversal of the slug-fest Friday night against FSU, Louisville Softball and the Seminoles engaged in a dual between two pitchers...the Cards sophomore Brooke Gray and FSU's freshman Jazzy Francilk. The teams remained scoreless for six innings. The hits were at a premium as well...Louisville just getting two in seven innings. and never really threatening to push a run across the plate. Only Easton Lotus and Bri Despines were able to get singles against Francik and the FSU defense.
In Gray's best effort of the year, she kept the top-ten Noles (42-6, 16-1) at bay until the top of the seventh. Gray was able to get two out on FSU, before a single and walk put two on for the visitors and Isa Torres cam to bat and delivered the big blow for FSU, a double to left field that scored both runners. That closed the book on Gray, and the Cards inserted Sam Booe into the circle. She allowed one more hit and a unearned run before recording the final out of the inning. The damage had been done and Louisville found themselves down three going into their last at bat.
Louisville tried to start a rally. They got a walk, but the bats still weren't working and Ashtyn Dantley, who pitched the final inning for FSU, was able to retire the rest of the Cards she faced and get the save for FSU.
The loss is the fourth in a row for a Cardinals squad that needs wins this time of year. Three runs is not an insurmountable object to overcome -- Louisville has won at least four games this year where they allowed three runs...the problem is these "on again, off again" Cardinals bats. The Cards have been held scoreless in three of their last four outings
Louisville goes to 23-23 on the season and 6-14 in the ACC.
The two squads face for the series finale tomorrow. It's a ACCN game and will be broadcast from Ulmer at 6 p.m.
(PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON)
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