One more win, dare we say it almost seems inevitable, and the University of Louisville baseball team is off to Omaha for its sixth appearance in the College World Series. Almost unimaginable just a couple of weeks ago.
Early rain, accompanied by lightning, the game, followed by two hours of perfect weather, and a dream crowd of 5,477 newly energized Louisville fans. The clouds and a distant lightning strike returning with one out to go in the bottom of the eighth. A great game despite the weather, the Cardinals finishing off the Hurricanes 8-1 after the rainy top of the ninth.
The Cardinals dancing during the rain break. Nothing or no one was going to spoilt their perfect day.
Nobody was enjoying it more than Louisville third baseman Jake Munroe who had two hits — two towering home runs. The first a solo blast in the second inning, the second scoring three runs in an explosive five-run inning for the Cardinals.
Breaking the ice in that second inning was rightfielder Garet Pike with an opposite field home run to left field. His moment in the sun, getting the enormous crowd into the game early.
Louisville’s pitching staff continued its strong run in the postseason. Patrick Forbes (4-2) allowed just the one run over 5.2 innings, striking out nine for the victory. Brennyn Cutts and Justin West combined for 3.1 shutout frames out of the bullpen to seal the win.
Memories are made of this kind of stuff. Now it’s time to make some more history. Louisville baseball is back.
