DeLand, Fla. - Louisville scored nine runs in the first four innings and held on for an 11-4 victory over Stetson Saturday night at Melching Field. The Cardinals (3-3) collected a season-high 16 hits to even the series with the Hatters (7-3) at a game apiece.
The teams will play the rubber game at noon on Sunday.
Stetson pitchers surrendered a season-high 11 runs, including three by starter Jake Hitchcock (1-1) who lasted just two-thirds of an inning.
Shane Jordan tripled and scored in the bottom of the first to cut the Louisville lead to 3-1, but the Cardinals answered with a run in the second, a run the third, and three runs in the fourth to break the game open.Â
Louisville starter Tyler Mathis (1-0) breezed through the first four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth. An RBI double by Jordan and a two-run single by Braedyn Pruitt cut the deficit to 9-4.
The Hatters threatened again in the sixth, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Kyle Hollander came out of the bullpen to squelch the rally behind a double play ground ball and a fly out. Hollander went on to toss four hitless innings of relief, striking out five and walking one, en route to his first save of the year.
Logan Johnson went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and three runs scored to lead the Cardinals. Isiah Howes also collected three hits while Chris Dominguez drove in three runs.
Pruitt went 3-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Hatters.
A pair of left-handers will meet on Sunday (Chris Ingoglia vs. Justin Marks) as Stetson will look for its third series win of the year.
Notes: Just one home run has been hit at Melching Field this season (Braedyn Pruitt), and none have been hit in the last six games ... All nine Louisville starters hit safely ... Jake Hitchcock suffered his first career loss (7-1).
