Photo Credit: Keith Russell
Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, Louisville (41-23) scored six runs in it to rally and eliminate Arizona (44-21) in an 8-3 win over the Wildcats.
Louisville keeps their College World Series run alive with a victory, after dropping their first game 4-3 on Friday in walk-off fashion to #8 Oregon State. They will play the Beavers in a rematch from Friday night, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Arizona jumped to a 3-1 lead after three innings, starting with two runs in the first against starter Ethan Eberle. Adonys Guzman and Garen Caufield both had RBI singles in the first, with Guzman adding a solo homer in the third to gives the Wildcats their runs.
Louisville got their only run in that stretch during the second inning, with Zion Rose driving in a RBI via groundout.
The Cardinals offense largely staggered in the middle portions of the game. They had runners on base in the third through sixth inning, but failed to bring them home. They finally cut into the deficit in the seventh inning, with Lucas Moore driving in a RBI on a sac fly to score Garret Pike.
Then, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Louisville finally broke through with a six run burst. After a throwing error and subsequent single put Jake Munroe and Eddie King, Jr. on base, respectively, Arizona brought in All-American closer Tony Pluta to try and close the inning. Tague Davis loaded the bases with another single, then Zion Rose put the Cardinals ahead with a two-RBI single.
Kamau Neighbors drove in another run with an RBI single, then another Arizona error led to Garret Pike scoring to extend Louisville’s lead. Alex Alicea offered a sac bunt that also drove in another Louisville run, and Matt Klein’s RBI single added another, but Klein was tagged out trying to reach second and closed the inning.
In total, Louisville’s eighth inning featured six runs and they capitalized on two errors by Arizona. Tony Pluta, who had not given up a run since April 1st against Grand Canyon, finished the game with one inning pitched and four runs (one earned) in 15 pitches.
Louisville outhit Arizona 13-11, led by a 4-for-4 afternoon from Kamau Neighbors. Neighbors also had an RBI, with Zion Rose (1-for-3) leading the team with three RBIs, including the go-ahead RBIs in the eighth inning. Eddie King, Jr. (2-for-3) joined Neighbors as the only Louisville players with a multi-hit game. Their bullpen also kept Arizona shutout in the final 5+ innings, with Wyatt Danilowicz (1.1 IP, 3 K, 2 BBs) and Tucker Biven (4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 Ks) pitching the final 5.1 innings without allowing a run. Biven also advances his record to 4-0 this season.
Adonys Guzman led the Wildcats with a 2-for-5 afternoon, including a home run and two RBIs. Garen Caufield (2-for-3) had Arizona’s other RBI, with Tommy Splaine (2-for-4) and Aaron Walton (2-for-4) having multi-hit games.
Stay tuned to CSZ for Keith’s photo Gallery from the Arizona match-up tomorrow!
