The U of L baseball team opened Big East play by splitting a double header with host Villanova on Saturday.
Cardinal starter Zack Pitts was phenomenal in game one, allowing just three singles and striking out nine over seven scoreless innings. Only four balls left the infield against Pitts who has now hurled consecutive scoreless innings.
Unfortunately for Louisville, Wildcat starter Mike Loree was up to the task, improving to 4-0 on the year by way of a complete game shutout. Loree struck out only one, but allowed just four hits and a walk.
"I don't expect many people to contain our offense the way he did today," said first-year Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell. "With that being said, we missed some opportunities to score, and against Friday night guys you don't get that many opportunities. Hopefully we learned our lesson."
The lone run scored in the game came in the bottom of the ninth when Cardinal pitcher Kyle Hollander fielded a sacrifice bunt but then overshot first baseman Daniel Burton allowing Villanova's Dan Terpak, who had doubled to start the inning, to score from second.
Hollander's record fell to 0-1 with the loss. The senior struck out two in a perfect eighth before the trouble in the ninth.
The Cardinal bats came alive in the nightcap as the visitors pounded out 14 hits on their way to an 11-2 victory. Reigning Big East Hitter of the Week Logan Johnson led the way, going 4-for-6 with two doubles and another pair of RBI.
Starter Jason Marks (2-1) picked up the win despite being chased in the fifth after allowing two unearned runs on three hits.
U of L's Tyler Mathis (2-0, 3.67 ERA) will gace VU's Roger Eidell (1-0, 6.20 ERA) at Noon tomorrow in the rubber match.