Game 2: LOU 6, DAY 2
The Louisville pitching staff had trouble in moments of the game, but were able to control pitches to limit any big-run innings in Game 2 of the series. Greg Farone started game two and allowed some damage in the first inning by giving up a two run home run to Dayton’s Edward Yamin IV.
Farone’s day on the mound was sporadic in that there were times when he looked under control, but other times he would walk several batters. For example, he walked five batters in 4.2 innings pitched. While at the same time, he allowed five earned runs and had five strikeouts. Five was the number of the game for Greg Farone.
Will Koger came in to relieve Farone in the the fifth inning after one of his five walks. Koger had some trouble in the sixth inning, also walking two batters that inning, but he did not allow any runs. In Koger’s showing on the mound, he pitched 4.1 innings, walked three, and struck out four.
On the other side, Louisville’s bats weren’t as hot as they were the day before, but they were able to take advantage of mistakes early. It started with Christian Knapczyk scoring in the first inning in a crazy sequence of stealing second, advancing to third on a wild pitch, and then scoring off an error by the first basemen.
The third inning was when the Cardinals stretched out the lead. Will Vierling led off the inning by drawing a walk. Christian Knapcyzk and Jack Payton both struck out, but the team was able to rally with two outs with a single by Ryan McCoy and Patrick Forbes drawing a walk. JT Benson cleared out the bases off a grand slam, which secured a big lead for the pitching staff.
B3 | One swing. Four runs. We lead.
— Louisville Baseball (@LouisvilleBSB) March 11, 2023
💻 https://t.co/KMfkJTdu4S#GoCards | @jtbensonn pic.twitter.com/i3uDTqndXv
Will Koger was someone who shined with a big performance coming in from the bullpen. Koger came away with the win and continues to prove to be a reliable arm for the Cardinals to finish games. The efforts of the pitching staff and the hot bats on offense, it led to Louisville being able to secure a 6-2 win on Saturday and clinch the series over the Flyers.