7th Inning Stretch: Returning Home to Get Back on Track (Week 8)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It was a roller coaster week for the Louisville baseball program.

Like the week before, things started off in the right direction, with the Cardinals (21-6, 4-5 ACC) run-ruling Cincinnati on the road following the disappointing series loss at Notre Dame. However, that was then promptly followed up by a series loss at NC State, where once again, Louisville had to win the finale in order to avoid getting swept. It's the second week in a row that they have gone 2-2 for the week.

Not too long ago, Louisville was sitting at 16-1 and on an 11-game winning streak. But since the second game of their ACC-opening series vs. Georgia Tech, the Cardinals have split their last 10 games.

While the pitching staff has certainly had some moments where it seems like they can get nobody out, the primary cause for this slump - especially in ACC play - is the offense. Louisville currently is batting .327 as a team in non-conference games, but just .235 in against ACC competition.

It's still really early in the season, but life in the ACC will only continue to get more difficult. Especially considering none of the three ACC teams that Louisville has faced so far - Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and NC State - are ranked.

Another tough test awaits later this week. After a midweek matchup with Lipscomb that will kick off a home stand at Jim Patterson Stadium, No. 9 Boston College comes to town for a rare Thursday/Friday/Saturday series. It's the perfect opportunity to get back on track.

Last Week's Recaps:

Game 24: Louisville Rebounds, Run-Rules Cincinnati in Midweek Showdown
Game 25: Louisville Walked Off to Open Series at NC State
Game 26: Louisville Smothered by NC State to Clinch Series Loss
Game 27: Louisville Prevents Sweep, Takes Series Finale at NC State

News & Notes

Out of the six major collegiate baseball polls, Louisville ranks as high as the No. 17 team in the nation, courtesy of Baseball America.
Catcher Jack Payton ranks 34th in the nation in batting average at .410.
Shortstop Christian Knapczyk ranks 16th in the nation in hit by pitches with 12, and 39th in stolen bases with 14.
RHP Carson Liggett ranks 19th in the nation in in earned run average at 1.75.

The Week Ahead

Home (Jim Patterson Stadium - Louisville, Ky.)

Tuesday, Apr. 4 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Lipscomb

ACC Network Extra
93.9 The Ville and 970 WGTK

Thursday, Apr. 6 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Boston College

ACC Network Extra
93.9 The Ville and 970 WGTK

Friday, Apr. 7 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Boston College

ACC Network Extra
93.9 The Ville and 970 WGTK

Saturday, Apr. 8 at 12:00 p.m. vs. Boston College

ACC Network Extra
93.9 The Ville and 970 WGTK

Know The Foe

Midweek

School: Lipscomb University
Nickname: Bisons
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Total Enrollment: 2,952
Head Coach (school record): Jeff Forehand (415-430)
2023 Record (conference record): 11-16 (6-3)
All-Time Series Record: Lipscomb leads 3-0

Top Performers (Hitters):

OF Alex Vergara (24 GP, 23 GS): .326/.418/.653, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 7 2B, 12 BB, 8 SB
C Austin Kelly (27 GP, 27 GS): .274/.330/.547, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 1 2B, 2 3B, 7 BB, 6 SB
INF Trace Willhoite (27 GP, 27 GS): .261/.415/.568, 7 HR 26 RBI, 6 2B, 24 BB

Top Performers (Pitchers):

LHP Noah Thompson (8 APP, 5 GS): 1.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 33.2 IP, 34 K, 9 BB, .155 B/AVG
LHP Logan Van Treeck (8 APP, 1 GS): 3.72 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 29.0 IP, 35 K, 2 BB, .227 B/AVG
RHP Braydon Tucker (7 APP, 7 GS): 4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 37.1 IP, 36 K, 14 BB, .214 B/AVG,

Weekend

School: Boston College
Nickname: Eagles
Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Total Enrollment: 9,532
Head Coach (school record): Mike Gambino (274-352)
2023 Record (conference record): 20-6 (8-4)
All-Time Series Record: Louisville leads 17-5

Top Performers (Hitters):

OF Cameron Leary (26 GP, 26 GS): .266/.398/.521, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 3 2B, 19 BB, 9 SB
OF Barry Walsh (23 GP, 22 GS): .348/.398/.483, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 3 2B, 6 BB, 6 SB
LHP/1B Joe Vetrano (25 GP, 25 GS): .247/.350/.505, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 4 2B, 16 BB

Top Performers (Pitchers)

RHP Chris Flynn (7 APP, 7 GS): 1.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 41.0 IP, 53 K, 14 BB, .229 B/AVG
RHP Henry Leake (8 APP, 5 GS): 4.28 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 27.1 IP, 31 K, 9 BB, .255 B/AVG
RHP Andrew Roman (10 APP, 0 GS): 1.08 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 16.2 IP, 16 K, 0 BB, .220 B/AVG, 6 SV

Statistical Breakdown

Rankings:

Lipscomb	Boston College	Louisville
D1Baseball Ranking	NR	9th	18th
RPI	170th	7th	30th
SOS	102nd	21st	77th
Home Record	9-5	5-2	15-2
Away Record	2-10	12-4	3-4
Neutral Record	0-1	3-0	3-0

Hitting:

Lipscomb	Boston College	Louisville
Base on Balls	87th (135)	130th (125)	114th (128)
Batting Average	280th (.232)	142nd (.277)	63rd (.296)
Hits	250th (202)	136th (250)	98th (266)
Home Runs	31st (44)	102nd (31)	102nd (31)
On Base Percentage	243rd (.351)	132nd (.384)	48th (.407)
Runs Per Game	244th (5.3)	145th (6.7)	70th (7.6)
Slugging Percentage	164th (.429)	161st (.430)	65th (.479)

Pitching:

Lipscomb	Boston College	Louisville
Earned Run Average	167th (6.08)	100th (5.14)	17th (3.56)
Hits Allowed/9 Innings	61st (8.56)	145th (9.70)	12th (7.38)
Strikeouts Per 9 Innings	70th (9.5)	52nd (9.9)	35th (10.3)
Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio	98th (2.11)	23rd (2.90)	59th (2.37)
WHIP	76th (1.45)	79th (1.46)	31st (1.30)
Walk Allowed/9 Innings	122nd (4.49)	25th (3.43)	105th (4.36)

(Photo of Jack Payton: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)

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