WKU Baseball falls to Louisville Cardinals

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile

WKU junior pitcher Lane Diuguid (41) throws to sophomore Ty Batusich (44) at first base to check a runner during the second round of a double-header against the NIU Huskies Saturday, March. 4, 2023 at Nick Denes Field. WKU won the second match 7-5.

Jake McMahon

WKU Baseball (15-7, 1-2 C-USA) lost to the No. 6 Louisville Cardinals (18-2) in a high scoring, 15-8 battle Tuesday, March 21 at Jim Patterson Stadium. 

“We’re leading the country in moral victories,” Head coach Mark Rardin said. “Offense has been doing well, and had some great approaches again tonight.”

Senior second baseman Tristin Garcia had a solid day at the plate against the Cardinals. Garcia went 3-5 on the day with three RBI’s.

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Louisville jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. A solo shot followed by a throwing error that scored two, put the Cardinals up 3-0 early. 

Louisville continued their hot start in the bottom of the second with an RBI double making it 4-0. 

WKU’s offense got going in the top of the third inning. RBI’s from Garcia, freshman Lukas Farris and sophomore Ty Batusich cut the Cardinal lead to one, 4-3. 

Louisville answered in the bottom frame of the third. A couple of RBI doubles from Louisville put the Hilltoppers back in a hole, 6-3.

The offensive showcase continued in the top of the fourth. Senior Brayden Johnson hit his first homer of the year making the game 6-4.

WKU continued to claw their way back in the game as Farris hit a solo shot in the top of the fifth to make the score 6-5. 

WKU finally got over the hump in the top of the sixth inning. Garcia continued his great game with a two RBI double that put the Hilltoppers up 7-6. 

However, Louisville answered in the bottom of the sixth. Louisville tallied an impressive five runs in the frame making it 11-7. 

The Cardinals continued to topple on the late runs with four more in the seventh to put them up 15-7. 

Redshirt junior Ty Crittenberger hit an RBI single in the top of the ninth; however, it was the last run of the game as WKU lost 15-8. 

WKU will look to bounce back in their three game series against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, March 24-26 at Nick Denes Field.  

 

Sports reporter Jake McMahon can be reached at [email protected].