FROM CBB SOURCES
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chris Dominguez was 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBI, the defense turned three double plays and four University of Louisville pitchers scattered eight hits, as the Cardinals defeated Purdue 7-4 Wednesday night at Jim Patterson Stadium.
“That was a very clean game. We didn’t dominate any one aspect, but we pitched well, had some really good at bats, and played solid defense,” said Head Coach Dan McDonnell.
The Cards (15-10) manufactured a run without the benefit of a hit in the third to take a 1-0 lead.
John Dao drew a one out walk, moved to second on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Josh Richmond, and when a wild pitch moved Dao to third, the throw down to the bag from catcher Eric Nielsen was wild, allowing Dao to score.
In the top of the fourth a sac fly of the bat of Jordan Comadena and an RBI double by Nielsen put the Boilermakers (10-13) on top 2-1.
UofL responded in the bottom of the inning, taking a 4-2 lead.
Dominguez drew a leadoff walk, Andrew Clark singled and Jeff Arnold singled home a run to tie the game at two.
Derrick Alfonso hit and RBI double, chasing Purdue starter Tony Sedlmeyer (0-4). The first pitch from reliever Andy Loomis was rolled through the left side of the drawn-in infield by Tyler Christensen to plate the final run of the frame.
With two out in the fifth, Dominguez worked the count to 1-1 before hitting a laser down the left field line that not only exited the field, but cleared the back fence and left the stadium, for his team-leading eighth home run of the season and a 5-2 lead.
“I was just looking for a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it,” Dominguez said.
The leadoff batter of the sixth for the Boilermakers drew a walk, forcing the exit of Cardinal starter James Belanger. Gavin Logsdon entered in relief and later surrendered a two-run double to Nielsen to cut it to a one-run advantage, but the Cards plated two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh.
John Dao doubled to the gap and scored on a double by Richmond, who was later plated on an RBI single to center by Dominguez.
Belanger tossed five plus innings, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks, striking out four to earn the win. Logsdon allowed a run on four hits and a walk in two innings of work. Matt Lea faced the minimum in the eighth, and senior B.J. Rosenberg notched his first career save, striking out two and walking one in a hitless ninth.
Sedlmeyer gave up four runs on four hits and to walks, fanning one in the loss. Four more pitchers came out of the pen for the Boilermakers.
Dao and Richmond each added two hits for Louisville.
The Cards host a pivotal three-game weekend series against BIG EAST leader St. John’s beginning Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET. Admission is free.
