In a thrilling matchup at Jim Patterson Stadium, the University of Louisville baseball team showcased their offensive prowess, clinching an impressive 11-7 victory over Northern Kentucky. With this win, Louisville’s season record improves to 26-18, marking their 18th game this season with double-digit runs.
The Cardinals wasted no time in asserting their dominance, as Gavin Kilen’s sacrifice fly propelled them to an early lead. However, Northern Kentucky swiftly responded with two solo homers in the third inning, briefly taking a 2-1 lead.
Undeterred, Louisville rallied back in the bottom of the third, with Zion Rose delivering a crucial two-run triple, followed by back-to-back home runs from Kilen and Eddie King Jr. This explosive offensive display culminated in a five-run inning, firmly reestablishing Louisville’s control of the game.
Although Northern Kentucky fought back with a three-run fourth inning, Louisville remained resilient, answering with three runs of their own. Rose continued his stellar performance with another RBI triple, capitalizing on a wild throw to third base, while Matt Klein added a sacrifice fly in the fifth to extend Louisville’s lead.
With Northern Kentucky threatening in the seventh inning, loading the bases with nobody out, Tucker Biven entered the game and showcased his pitching prowess, securing two crucial strikeouts and a groundout to stifle the Norse’s momentum.
Louisville’s offense continued to shine in the bottom of the seventh, with Brandon Anderson delivering a clutch pinch-hit RBI single after an absence of over a month. Dylan Hoy sealed the victory with a perfectly executed bunt single, scoring Lucas Moore and solidifying Louisville’s commanding lead.
Rose emerged as a standout performer of the night, tallying two triples and three RBIs, while Kilen contributed three RBIs, including his eighth homer of the season.
On the pitching front, Colton Hartman delivered a scoreless inning in the start, while Justin West (2-0) showcased his prowess on the mound with four strikeouts in his two innings of work.
With this victory under their belt, Louisville looks ahead to a challenging road trip, with seven consecutive games away from home, starting with a series against Boston College. The series opener is scheduled for Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET, as Louisville aims to carry their winning momentum into the upcoming matchups.
