CARDS Rally for 8-5 Win Over Xavier

Louisville scored six runs in the last two innings in the victory.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – February 25, 2020

Trailing by three runs entering the seventh inning, the second-ranked University of Louisville baseball team scored six runs over the final two innings to capture an 8-5 victory over Xavier on Tuesday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Louisville (5-3) was behind 5-2 in the middle of the seventh inning with just nine outs left offensively. With a runner on first and two outs, Ben Metzinger singled into centerfield to put a pair of runners on and Danny Oriente drove both home with a double into the gap to get the Cardinals back within one.

Adam Elliott made quick work of Xavier (2-5) in the eighth and the offense took care of the rest in the bottom half.

Henry Davis singled on the first pitch of the inning and Luke Brown followed with a bunt single. Levi Usher then dumped a single into centerfield to score pinch-runner Trey Leonard to knot the game at five.

A walk to Ben Bianco loaded the bases and Justin Lavey gave the Cards the lead with a fielder’s choice. Tim Borden II doubled the lead with an extra-base hit inside the third base bag and Oriente tacked on another with a two-out knock.

Michael Kirian entered in the ninth and slammed the door shut for his fourth save of the season.

Louisville finished with 15 hits, led by three hits from Metzinger for the second straight game. Oriente, Usher and Cameron Masterman all had multi-hit games as well, with Oriente matching his career-high with four RBIs.

Elliott (1-0) worked two perfect innings for his first win of the season. Michael Prosecky allowed two runs over four innings in his second start of the season. Glenn Albanese struck out five in his two innings of relief.

Louisville will play three games against Western Michigan starting Friday at Jim Patterson Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., ET.