The fifth-ranked University of Louisville baseball team kicked off their season with a perfect opening weekend and a 5-3 victory over Bucknell on Sunday at Jim Patterson Stadium. The Cardinals’ strong start was fueled by an explosive offense and dominant pitching staff.
Louisville (3-0) wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, plating four runs in the first inning. Bucknell was able to score a run with two outs in the opening inning, but Ryan McCoy quickly answered with a run-scoring single, igniting a string of four consecutive two-out RBI singles. Patrick Forbes, Haven Mangrum, and Tyeler Hawkins added RBI hits to give the Cards a 4-1 lead after one inning.
Bucknell tried to claw back with single runs in the third and sixth innings, but Louisville had an answer each time. After a walk, Hawkins and Logan Beard reached on bunt singles to load the bases, and Noah Smith hit a single to right to extend the lead back to two.
The pitching staff for Louisville was also dominant, with a combined 15-strikeout effort. Starting pitcher Carson Liggett (1-0) allowed two runs over five innings and struck out a career-best six batters to earn the victory. Greg Farone struck out eight in three innings out of the bullpen, and Ben Wiegman picked up all three outs in the ninth for his first career save.
Farone proved to be clutch, stranding the tying runs with a strikeout to end the eighth inning. Although he exited after allowing the leadoff man to reach in the ninth, Wiegman entered and settled down, inducing a double play and a strikeout to secure the victory.
Hawkins had a standout performance, turning in the only multi-hit game of the day for the Cards, going 2-for-4. Seven different players tallied a hit in the game, demonstrating the depth and talent of Louisville’s lineup.
Louisville will look to continue their winning streak as they take on Xavier on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. The Cardinals’ perfect opening weekend sets a strong foundation for what promises to be an exciting and successful season.