By Brad McGuffin —
Softball (13-4) started their Red & Black Classic by sweeping Maryland and UAB in a doubleheader.
Maryland
After a dominating 15-0 win March 1 against UAB, Louisville picked up where they left off and defeated Maryland 4-1.
Redshirt senior Nicole Pufahl got things going in the bottom of the second inning, lining a double off the glove of Maryland’s JoJo McRae. The Cards couldn’t get Pufahl home, leaving a runner stranded.
In the bottom on the third inning, sophomore Celene Funke singled to center field. Redshirt junior Sidney Melton walked and sophomore Caitlin Ferguson’s double brought home both runners. Pufahl’s single then scored Ferguson.
In the top of the fifth Maryland was able to break up the no-hitter as Taylor Wilson hit a solo home run over the right field fence making it 3-1.
Pufahl started the bottom half of the six with a triple of the right field wall and a pass ball brought her home giving the Cardinals a 4-1 lead.
Maryland put two runners on, but junior Danielle Watson (10-3) closed the door, sealing the victory.
UAB
Junior Megan Hensley (3-1) received the win in the 6-2 victory over UAB.
Senior Alison Szydlowski kicked off the scoring, doubling a RBI off the left field wall. Funke’s single brought home Szydlowski, making giving Louisville a 2-0 lead.
Melton reached on an error, putting two runners on. Ferguson’s double scored both Melton and Funke, pushing the lead to 5-0.
UAB scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning, but Watson closed the game for U of L.
You can follow Brad McGuffin on Twitter @BradMcGuffin.
File photo / The Louisville Cardinal
