In a thrilling game on Friday, the second-ranked University of Louisville baseball team fell short to Notre Dame, losing 4-3. This was only the third loss of the season for Louisville who now look to bounce back in the rest of the series, set to continue on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
Initially, Louisville took an early lead, scoring two runs in the second inning. Gavin Kilen’s single through the right side with two outs drove home both runners, putting Louisville in front 2-0. The Cardinals held the lead for the next few innings with Ryan Hawks (4-1) striking out six and allowing just three hits in the first four innings.
However, the game took a turn in the fifth inning when Notre Dame strung together four hits to take the lead, 3-2. But Louisville quickly answered back in the sixth, with Isaac Humphrey’s walk and a wild throw allowing him to tie the game at three. Nonetheless, Notre Dame regained the lead in the same inning with a solo home run on the second pitch up at bat.
In the final three innings, Louisville struggled with some tough luck at the plate. In the seventh inning, a liner by Ryan McCoy nearly knocked the glove off the first baseman, but the second baseman made the crucial play to end the inning. The ninth inning saw Kilen single with one down and Logan Beard seemingly following suit until the ball ricocheted off the pitcher’s foot before the shortstop made an incredible diving stop to get the force out.
Hawks suffered his first loss of the season, allowing four runs on eight hits over five-plus innings. Despite their loss, Knapczyk and Kilen had two-hit games, providing some notable highlights for Louisville.
