LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Preseason Big East Conference favorite Louisville jumped to an early 5-0 lead Tuesday and never looked back, as the Cardinals posted a 13-4 victory over the visiting University of Evansville baseball team at Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

The Cardinals grabbed an early 5-0 lead in the second inning with a five-run frame off of UE starter Jared Baehl (0-1). Catcher Jeff Arnold followed a lead-off double by shortstop Ryan Wright with an RBI single, before designated hitter Alec Lowrey launched his second home run of the year, a two-run shot to right-center field, to push the lead to 3-0. After a single and a walk put two more runners on base, second baseman Adam Duvall greeted reliever Keegan Dennis with a two-run double to center field to move the lead to 5-0.

 

Louisville would tack on another run in the fourth inning to grab a 6-0 lead, before the Purple Aces would answer back with a run of its own in the sixth inning. Junior outfielder Alex Acheson led off the frame with a double down the left-field line, before eventually coming around to score on an RBI ground out by sophomore second baseman Shawn Kuester to trim the deficit to 6-1. 

 

Louisville would add four runs in the sixth inning, before the two teams would trade three-run frames in the seventh inning to move the score to 13-4. Senior outfielder Jim Viscomi would plate UE’s first run of the three-run seventh with an RBI single to right, before Kuester would follow with a two-run single.

 

Louisville first baseman Andrew Clark paced the 17-hit attack by going a perfect 5-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, and three RBI. Arnold also went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two stolen bases. Kuester paced the UE attack by going 2-for-5 with three RBI. Third baseman Cody Fick, first baseman Andy Pascoe, and designated hitter Greg Wallace also had two-hit efforts for UE.

 

“Louisville showed why they are the preseason favorite in the Big East Conference today, as up and down their lineup they had guys step up,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “They jumped on the board early, and we were just never able to get back within striking distance, as their starter did a nice job of keeping us off balance all day long.”

 

Freshman Mike Nastold (2-0) picked up the victory by scattering four runs on 10 hits in 6.2 innings of work.

 

With the victory, Louisville improves to 15-6 overall. Evansville, meanwhile, slips to 7-12 on the season. The Purple Aces will wrap up its current six-game road trip on Wednesday night, as UE will travel to Clarksville, Tennessee to battle the Austin Peay State University Governors. First-pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.