U of L Blasts Eight Home Runs in Five Innings

The Louisville baseball team won its sixth straight on Tuesday by hitting eight home runs in just five innings on their way to a rain-shortened 17-1 victory over visiting Marshall.

The eight long balls were the most by a Cardinal team since 1991 when U of L hit a then-NCAA record 11 in a game at Parkway Field.

"That was as good an offensive performance as I have ever been around," said first-year coach Dan McDonnell. "We just took a lot of good cuts and had a great approach and were very fortunate to get this game in with the weather."

Designated hitter Justin McClanahan led the onslaught by going 4 for 4 with two bombs and five RBI for the 20-8 Cards who are 5-1 in the Big East. Second baseman Logan Johnson was 3 for 3 with two homers, four RBIs and four runs scored. Derrick Alfonso, Chris Dominguez, Isaiah Howes and Daniel Burton hit the other long balls. Alfonso's shot was a grand slam.

In addition to his pair of dingers, Johnson was hit by a pitch for the 55th time in  chis career, moving him into a tie for 15th in the NCAA record books.

The Cards will start a three-game series with Pitt on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Jim Patterson Stadium. Admission is always free.