Louisville baseball with costly eighth inning, drops first game of the season

After five straight wins, the Louisville baseball team dropped their first game of the season yesterday to Bowling Green by a score of 9-to-6. The Falcons won their second game of the year with a big inning in the eighth scoring four runs. Let’s breakdown what happened below.

Louisville first baseman Ryan McCoy took advantage of Bowling Green’s starter Tyler Mays by hitting a three run home run in the first inning, following two straight walks to shortstop Christian Knapcyzk and catcher Jack Payton.

Adding to that momentum, the Cardinals were able to continue their hot start in the second inning with a lead off single by outfielder Haven Mangrum. Freshman Will Vierling smacked a double to bring home Mangrum shortly after. Designated hitter Jack Payton followed that up with a sacrifice fly ball to score Vierling. The score at this point in the game was 5-1 Cardinals.

Bowling Green brought in the bull pen in the fourth inning and was able to limit Louisville’s offense and keep them scoreless after their sixth run in the inning. However, that did not stop the entire Cardinals starting lineup from recording a hit in the game. Junior outfielder Isaac Humphrey was the only one in the lineup to record two hits on the day.

Riley Phillips was given the start for the Cardinals. He lasted for three innings, allowing five earned runs, and four walks. He had trouble gaining control of several pitches that led to him getting pulled early. Tucker Biven came in for relief and was able to get the team to the eighth inning, allowing no runs. Biven pitched a total of four innings, struck out three, and only allowed one hit.

Ben Wiegman followed Biven up in the eighth, but unfortunately had trouble. Wiegman recorded an out, hit two batters, and allowed two hits. The Cardinals were then forced to turn to another pitcher in Greg Farone. Farone relieved Wiegman with the bases loaded and allowed two of Wiegman’s runs to score. The last run of the game came on a gutsy stolen base by Bowling Green’s Nathan Archer.

The Cardinals pitching staff had difficulty all day, but an undefeated season is nearly impossible. However, Louisville needs a win today to take the series 2-1.