May 8, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Notre Dame softball team dropped a 3-1 decision to Louisville on Thursday night in the opening round of the 2008 BIG EAST Conference Championship at Ulmer Stadium. No. 5 Louisville (30-20) eliminated the fourth-seeded Irish (37-20-1) from the tournament with the win.
Katie Laing had seven assists in the contest, giving her the program’s all-time record (471) and top single-season mark (147). The second baseman also added a hit.
Louisville scored a pair of runs on two hits in the third to open the scoring column. A double by Erin Marrone and an RBI single from Katie Fleury cut the Cardinal lead in half, 2-1, in the bottom of the frame.
The Irish came up empty in the fourth and left a pair of runners in scoring position. Linda Kohan was walked and Laing singled in the frame. An infield grounder by Ashley Ellis advanced both runners before Kristen Wadwell (18-12) got Beth Northway to line out to shortstop.
Wadwell went the distance for Louisville and fanned four batters, limiting the Irish to an earned run on three hits.
Christina Roesel drove in Missy Vacil in the sixth for Louisville’s third score of the game.
In her 100th career start, Irish pitcher Brittney Bargar (29-13) gave up six hits and three earned runs while shouldering the loss.
Kohan drew two walks to tie Notre Dame’s single-season record (36).
–ND–