May 4, 2006

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score |  Photo Gallery

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College softball team was defeated by No. 19 Louisville, 8-1 and 4-1, in a BIG EAST Conference doubleheader Thursday, May 4 on Senior Day at PC's Raymond Field. With the losses, the Friars finish the regular season with a 29-18-1 overall record, including an 11-11 mark in BIG EAST action. Louisville improved to 37-8 overall and 15-3 in conference play.

In the first game, the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a single to center field by senior Lacy Wood. The Friars tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as junior Rachel Bartholomew (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) hit an RBI single up the middle. However, Louisville regained the lead for good as Wood hit another RBI single to center field. The Cardinals added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, before scoring three more times in the seventh inning to complete the scoring. In the fifth inning, junior Courtney Moore hit her sixth home run of the season, which at the time gave Louisville a 4-1 lead.

The Friars were led by junior Katie Ross (Middleboro, Mass.) who had two hits. On the pitcher's circle, junior Sara Surosky (Elmira, N.Y.) pitched six innings and recorded five strikeouts. Freshman Alisha Levin (Fort Campbell, Ky.) pitched one inning and retired three of the four batters she faced. Kady Garrick started for Louisville and went two innings, allowed one run on three hits. Catherine Bishop pitched five innings, allowing just one hit and striking out nine batters.

The Friars suffered a tough loss in the second game. PC took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Bartholomew hit an RBI single to score senior Michelle Willette (Moorpark, Calif.) who had doubled. PC held on to its lead until the seventh inning. Louiville's Sarah Totten led off and hit a line drive to center field, but Ross raced over and made superb catch as she barreled into the center field fence. One batter later, Kristi Cunningham hit a high drive to center field and Ross made another strong effort. Ross had a beat on the play and while jumping, she reached over fence in an attempt to bring the ball back, but the ball glanced off her glove for a home run that tied the game, 1-1.

In the eighth inning, Louisville broke the tie when Alma Navarette doubled to score two runs and make the score, 3-1. The Cardinals added another run to complete the scoring. PC freshman Jennifer Maccio (Huntington Station, N.Y.) was impressive despite suffering the loss. She pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out one batter. For Louisville, Garrick also pitched two innings of the second game and Bishop earned the win as she pitched the rest of the way. She allowed two hits and struck out four batters.

The Friars play in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament on Thursday, May 11 at the Belleville Softball Complex in South Bend, Ind. The eight-team, single-elimination tournament will be finalized at the end of conference play on Sunday, May 7. For Providence, it will mark its first appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament since 1996.