April 28, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Despite holding one of the most potent offenses in the country scoreless for the first five innings a two-run sixth inning lifted No. 18 Louisville to a 2-0 victory over Kentucky Tuesday night.
Louisville notched the two runs on a solo home run by Melissa Roth and a sacrifice fly. Kentucky falls to 29-19 overall while Louisville improves to 44-7 on the season.
UK has managed heroics all season long in the seventh inning, but its comeback today fell just short. Freshman pitcher Rachel Riley led off the top of the frame with a single into left field. Sophomore Samantha DeMartine sent a zinger to the second baseman and the Cardinals made a spectacular snag on the catch. Louisville was able to turn the double play when UK’s runner led off slightly and was unable to get back to the bag. The final out came on a pop-up to the shortstop.
The Wildcats had numerous scoring opportunities, but just could not come up with a steady attack. Kentucky managed a single in the top half of the first when sophomore Meagan Aull found a hole in left center, but UK retired in order when Aull was called for leaving early in a steal attempt.
Louisville put a runner on base with a base hit to lead off the first, but Riley got three straight ground outs to end the inning unscathed.
The Wildcats had a chance again in the top of the third when sophomore Annie Rowlands reached on a fielding error by the Cards’ second baseman. Junior Destinee Mordecai singled through the left side to put two runners on base. Junior Molly Johnson then lined a shot that nicked the second baseman’s glove and fell into left field. A heady play by the home squad got Mordecai out at second keeping runners on the corners. The inning ended on a groundout to first base though preventing UK from scratching the scoreboard.
Kentucky advanced a pair of runners into scoring position in the fourth. Sophomore Megan Yocke charted a leadoff single while junior Natalie Smith reached on an error by the third baseman during her sacrifice bunt attempt. The inning ended without UK scoring on a fly out to deep centerfield.
Aull was plucked by a pitch in the leadoff slot in the bottom of the sixth and moved to second on her 22nd stolen base of the season. However, despite two deep fly balls UK could not bring her home and the score remained scoreless.
Kentucky will wrap up its regular season with a three-game series at South Carolina beginning Saturday. UK and the Gamecocks will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. ET. The final game of the series will begin at the same time on Sunday.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information about the UK softball team.
