The University of Louisville softball team suffered a 13-6 loss to Notre Dame in the first game of their weekend series at Ulmer Stadium on Friday evening. Despite a late surge by the Cardinals, the Irish were able to secure the win and clinch the series. The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 2 p.m. for the series finale, which will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
Notre Dame got off to a strong start, scoring in each of the first four innings to build a 13-3 lead. The Cardinals were able to tally three unanswered runs in the latter part of the game, but it was not enough to overcome the Irish’s offensive production.
Korbe Otis had an outstanding performance for the Cardinals, going 4-for-4 and tying a school record for hits in a game. She scored three runs and drove in one, while Taylor Roby had a two-run single to help lead the team at the plate.
Despite the strong showing by Otis and Roby, Louisville was unable to keep pace with Notre Dame. The Irish were led by Kloss and Gaskins, who went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs and 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs, respectively.
Louisville’s offense was able to break through in the later innings, but it was too little too late. Otis had a bunt single in the first inning, which led to Louisville’s first run, and the team was able to score two runs in the second inning to make the score 8-3. In the fourth inning, the Cardinals scored two more runs, and they added their final run in the fifth inning.
Despite the loss, Otis continues to impress with her performance at the plate. She has now reached base safely via a hit or walk in the last 29 games, dating back to February 15th. Overall, she has reached base via a hit or walk in 34 of Louisville’s 36 games this season. Additionally, after tying the school record with four hits in Friday’s game, Otis now leads the team with 14 multi-hit games and has scored a career-best 41 runs this season.
Despite Friday’s loss, the Cardinals will look to bounce back in Saturday’s series finale against Notre Dame. Louisville will need a strong offensive showing and a solid pitching performance to secure a win and salvage the series.