The Louisville softball team used eight hits and three Syracuse errors to blow past the Orange 5-1 in the first round of the Big East Tournament in South Bend, Ind.
"I was very pleased to get our first win in the Big East tournament," said Cardinal head coach Sandy Pearsall. "I thought all three of our pitchers did a great job of keeping Syracuse off balance. The rally in sixth with Sarah Totten leading off with a home run, finally started loosening our team up offensively."
U of L jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first when Kristi Cunningham's single knocked in first-team All-Conference performer Audrey Rendon, and then Kassie Stanfill's ground out allowed shortstop Courtney Moore to score.
After a home run pulled Syracuse to within one, the Cards busted the game open in the home half of the sixth.
With one out and no one on, Sarah Totten drilled her second home run of the season over the left field fence to make the score 3-1. Three singles and two Syracuse throwing errors later, Louisville led by its final margin of victory.
Pearsall elected to use three Cardinal pitchers with Kassie Stanfill (13-5) picking up the win, and Catherine Bishop picking up her sixth save of the season.
U of L's likely opponent in tomorrow's semifinal is second-seeded South Florida, but the Bulls must first get by No. 7 Pitt this afternoon. First pitch tomorrow is slated for 4 p.m.
You can watch each game of the tournament (sans the championship) for free online with Big East All Access on BigEast.org.