Cards Open College World Series With 2-0 Loss To Indiana

The Louisville baseball team is going to have to take the long road if it wants to win a national championship in Omaha.

The Cards began their College World Series run with a whimper, scratching out just four hits in a 2-0 loss to Indiana. The U of L offense was dominated by Hoosier left-hander Joey DeNato, who shut down the Cards for the second time this season. DeNato also beat Louisville 2-0 in the first game of the season for both teams, which is also the only other time Dan McDonnell's team has been shutout.

Cardinal starter Chad Green was not up to the task of matching DeNato, walking four batters and allowing the only two runs of the game before being chased in the third inning. Cody Ege, Dace Kime and Cole Sturgeon then combined to hold IU scoreless the rest of the way.

Outside of Sutton Whiting being gunned down at the plate to end the home half of the third, the Louisville offense never really threatened DeNato.

It doesn't get any easier for Louisville, which now faces No. 3 seed Oregon State in an elimination game at 3 p.m. (ET) on Monday. The Cards, who will start Big East Pitcher of the Year Jeff Thompson, lost a coin toss and will be the visitors in the game.