By Sammie Hill —
In front of a record crowd of 3,563 fans, the University of Louisville baseball team shut out the University of Kentucky 12-0, Tuesday.
This upset, fueled by an initial offensive intensity with three runs in the first inning and two in the third, caught the Wildcats—ranked among the top three teams in the nation—by surprise. Louisville improved their record to 24-9 and dished UK their first shut out, first nonconference loss, and season high for runs allowed.
“We haven’t had a game like this this year,” said UK’s freshman pitcher A.J. Reed. “It’s a learning experience.”
UK currently possesses the best record in college baseball at 30-4; thus, the fact that the Cards defeated the Wildcats, breaking their 21-game nonconference winning streak, demonstrates the strength of this team.
“It shows we’re a good club,” U of L head coach Dan McDonnell revealed. “It’s even a little more sweet knowing that they’re playing so well.”
The game showcased the talent not only of the team as a whole but also of several individual players. Sophomore infielder Ty Young nailed a home run in the third inning; sophomore outfielders Cole Sturgeon and Adam Engel had back-to-back doubles in the sixth; freshman pitcher Jared Ruxer sat 18 of 22 batters, throwing 65 strikes from a total of 98 pitches.
“It was a big challenge against a good team,” Ruxer said following the game, “and we played well all around.”
“The focus was about us,” McDonnell continued. “We can’t get caught up with where they’re at, their record and their rankings. It’s about us. We kept our emotions in check and played good baseball.”
U of L returns home this weekend to host Seton Hall University on Friday, April 13 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m.
