The Cardinals scored four runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take the lead and held off a Wake Forest ninth-inning rally.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- No. 2-ranked Louisville held off No. 17 Wake Forest in the ninth inning of a 7-6 game, tying the series at a game apiece at Jim Patterson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The game was a back-and-forth affair all afternoon, with each team scoring in four different innings.
Logan Harvey led the Demon Deacons (23-9, 9-5 ACC) with two doubles and three RBIs while Johnny Aiello hit his team-leading 11th home run.
For the Cardinals (26-4, 11-3 ACC), Josh Stowers tallied three hits and three runs scored in the winning effort.
The Deacs broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth when Aiello hit an 0-2 breaking ball out of the park to put Wake Forest in front, 4-3.
Stuart Fairchild added an RBI single in the seventh to increase the margin to 5-3, but Louisville battled back.
Logan Taylor hit an RBI triple and Colby Fitch followed with an RBI single to even the score at 5-5. In the eighth, Stowers hit a go-ahead RBI single and Devin Mann added an RBI single of his own as the Cardinals pulled in front, 7-5.
Facing Louisville closer Lincoln Henzman in the ninth, Jonathan Pryorgot the inning started with a one-out double and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
After a groundout, Stuart Fairchild - the potential tying run - walked and stole second. Gavin Sheets then battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk and load up the bases.
All three runners advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch to cut the margin to 7-6, then Ben Breazeale was intentionally walked before Henzman struck Aiello out swinging to end the game.
Donnie Sellers started for Wake Forest and allowed just three hits, but gave up four runs (three earned), also allowing two walks and two hit batters in a no decision. Kade McClure started for Louisville and struck out 10 in 6.0 innings, giving up four runs.
John McCarren (2-3) took the loss after allowing two runs in relief, while Jake Sparger (3-0) picked up the win out of the pen for Louisville.
Louisville took a first-inning lead. Following an error and a walk, Brendan McKay hit a two-run double.
Harvey answered back the next half inning, clearing the bases with a three-run double to get the Deacs on the board.
The rubber game of the series is set for Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- No. 2-ranked Louisville held off No. 17 Wake Forest in the ninth inning of a 7-6 game, tying the series at a game apiece at Jim Patterson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The game was a back-and-forth affair all afternoon, with each team scoring in four different innings.
Logan Harvey led the Demon Deacons (23-9, 9-5 ACC) with two doubles and three RBIs while Johnny Aiello hit his team-leading 11th home run.
For the Cardinals (26-4, 11-3 ACC), Josh Stowers tallied three hits and three runs scored in the winning effort.
The Deacs broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth when Aiello hit an 0-2 breaking ball out of the park to put Wake Forest in front, 4-3.
Stuart Fairchild added an RBI single in the seventh to increase the margin to 5-3, but Louisville battled back.
Logan Taylor hit an RBI triple and Colby Fitch followed with an RBI single to even the score at 5-5. In the eighth, Stowers hit a go-ahead RBI single and Devin Mann added an RBI single of his own as the Cardinals pulled in front, 7-5.
Facing Louisville closer Lincoln Henzman in the ninth, Jonathan Pryorgot the inning started with a one-out double and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
After a groundout, Stuart Fairchild - the potential tying run - walked and stole second. Gavin Sheets then battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk and load up the bases.
All three runners advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch to cut the margin to 7-6, then Ben Breazeale was intentionally walked before Henzman struck Aiello out swinging to end the game.
Donnie Sellers started for Wake Forest and allowed just three hits, but gave up four runs (three earned), also allowing two walks and two hit batters in a no decision. Kade McClure started for Louisville and struck out 10 in 6.0 innings, giving up four runs.
John McCarren (2-3) took the loss after allowing two runs in relief, while Jake Sparger (3-0) picked up the win out of the pen for Louisville.
Louisville took a first-inning lead. Following an error and a walk, Brendan McKay hit a two-run double.
Harvey answered back the next half inning, clearing the bases with a three-run double to get the Deacs on the board.
The rubber game of the series is set for Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
