Danny Oriente and Jake Snider delivered multi-hit games with two RBIs each, including Snider’s two-run homer in the sixth inning, to give Louisville (25-11) an 8-2 win over Kentucky (25-12), splitting their rivalry series at 1-1. The win extended Louisville’s winning streak to five games, and is the Cardinals’ ninth in their last 11 against their in-state rival.
Kentucky jumped ahead early with a solo home run in the third inning from Trey Dawson. Despite the Wildcats getting an early lead, the Cardinals rebounded with plenty of offense this time around. A pair of RBI singles from Danny Oriente and Josh Stowers in the fourth inning gave Louisville the lead, one they would never relinquish.
The Cardinals added four runs in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth, punctuated with Jake Snider’s two-run homer in the latter inning. In the fifth though, Louisville scored a run on a bases-loaded walk, then an RBI fielder’s choice by Stowers that allowed Snider to reach home safely. Devin Mann stole home while Josh Stowers was jammed between the bases, resulting in Stowers reaching second. Oriente followed it up with an RBI double that would bring Stowers home.
Kentucky scored a run in the eighth inning on an RBI groundout from Luke Becker. Gavin Sullivan would later close the inning, and Sam Bordner retired the side in the ninth to seal the win for Louisville.
With his 2-for-4 showing tonight, Danny Oriente extends his hit streak to ten games. Only him and Logan Wyatt have had hit streaks of 10+ games in 2018. Josh Stowers went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, extending his on-base streak to 19 games. Tyler Fitzgerald also went 2-for-5 with a double as the Cardinals’ leadoff hitter, while Logan Wyatt forced four walks at the plate.
U of L’s pitching lineup was superb against a Kentucky team that entered today’s game ranked in the top ten nationally in batting average, total runs scored and home runs. The Cardinals only allowed two runs on three hits, led by the young duo of Reid Detmers and Shay Smiddy.
Detmers pitched 4.2 innings as Louisville’s starter, only allowing one run on Dawson’s home run in the third inning. Detmers also allowed two hits with five strikeouts. Shay Smiddy came out of the bullpen and delivered a quality outing, pitching 2.1 innings without allowing a hit and striking out three batters. Michael McAvene, Gavin Sullivan and Sam Bordner also made appearances to close the game for Louisville.
For Kentucky, only Luke Becker, Ryan Shinn and Trey Dawson recorded hits in their batting lineup. Dawson’s lone hit came on his solo home run in the third inning that gave the Wildcats their early lead, with Shinn also recording a double in the fifth. Freshman Daniel Harper was Kentucky’s starting pitcher, throwing 3.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits. The Wildcats would use seven pitchers total during the game, with their bullpen struggling against Louisville’s hot bats tonight.
Up next, Louisville continues their eight game home stand with a weekend series against conference foe Virginia. The Cards start their weekend series with a Friday game at 6 p.m., and play again on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
