Cameron Masterman ignited a hot Louisville crowd with a game-winning two run homer in the bottom eighth inning, part of a four run rally in the frame, as #12 Louisville (42-19-1) secured an 11-9 win over Michigan (34-28) to advance to the Super Regionals.
Louisville has advanced to their seventh Super Regional since 2013 with the win, and will now face #5 Texas A&M next week for a spot in the College World Series. Times and dates for the Super Regionals are still to be determined as of original posting.
Michigan got things started early with a two-run burst in the first inning, ripping three straight doubles from Clark Elliott, Joe Stewart, and Matt Frey. After Matt Obertop walked in the first inning, starter Garrett Schmeltz settled in and got the three outs to limit the damage.
Louisville would also start the game on a tear, racking up seven runs in the bottom first inning. Levi Usher got things started with an RBI double to tie the game at 2-2, with Cameron Masterman giving Louisville the lead on an RBI single. Logan Beard and Christian Knapczyk each added RBI singles, with Dalton Rushing and Ben Metzinger also driving in RBIs to give the Cardinals a 7-2 lead after the first inning.
Matt Frey drilled a solo homer in the top of the third to cut the lead to 7-3, just before a 93-minute delay due to lightning in the area.
Coming out of the delay, Michigan regained the lead with a mid-game surge in the fifth and sixth innings. The Wolverines tied the game in the fifth inning with two home runs in the frame, a solo shot from Elliott, followed by a three-run homer from Obertop. Michigan took the lead with a solo home run from Ted Burton in the sixth, with Stewart adding an RBI single to extend their lead to 9-7.
Meanwhile, Louisville went scoreless from the second to the seventh inning, leaving five on base in the process. With their backs against the wall, the Cardinals rallied with four runs in the eighth inning. After Rushing and Jack Payton reached base, Usher tied the game at 9-9 with an RBI single that brought both home. Masterman brought Usher home with a two-run blast into left field.
Cameron Masterman earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the Louisville regional, finishing the round with a 2-for-5 showing and three RBIs in the final game. Masterman finished the regional 8-for-19 with four home runs, two doubles, and nine RBIs.
CARDS ARE SUPER!!!!
If you missed our guy @CardsPA EPIC call of "Slam" Blasterman's bomb earlier today over on @939TheVille
it sounded a little something like this…. pic.twitter.com/EWw8arP5l7— Nicholas Valvano (@NickyVESPN) June 6, 2022
Levi Usher led all Louisville batters with a 4-for-5 outing, tallying four RBIs, two doubles, and a stolen base. Christian Knapczyk (2-for-4, RBI) also joined Masterman and Usher with a multi-hit game. Tate Kuehner earned the win with 2.1 shutout innings of work from the bullpen, finishing the regional with seven innings pitched and zero runs allowed. Michael Prosecky notched his 11th save of the season with a shutout ninth inning.\
Michigan outhit Louisville 12-11, but was doomed by the Cardinals’ rally in the eighth inning. Michigan displayed excellent power in the game, hitting four doubles and home runs apiece. Joe Stewart (4-for-5, two 2B, two RBIs) and Matt Frey (3-for-5, 2B, HR, two RBIs) led the charge for the Wolverines, with Clark Elliott (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) also having a multi-hit game.
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