Bullpen Woes, Lack of Clutch Hitting Dooms Louisville in Series Finale at Duke

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
UL	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	3	7	0
DU	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	X	4	6	2

DURHAM, N.C. - Hoping to cap off their series at Duke with at least one win under their belt, the Louisville baseball program was unable to do just that, falling 4-3 Sunday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park to be handed a three-game road sweep.

Also getting walked-off by the Blue Devils (27-12, 12-8 ACC) in the first two games of the series, the No. 9 Cardinals (26-13, 8-10 ACC) suffer their first sweep in ACC play since dropping all three games at Florida State on Apr. 14-16, 2022. Louisville has won just two of their six ACC series played up to this point of the season.

Holding a 3-1 advantage in the late stages, the Louisville bullpen once again could not seal the deal, as Duke plated a three-spot in the bottom of the eighth to jump in front.

Neither Alex Galvan (0.0 IP, 2 BB, 1 H, 3 ER) or Greg Farone (0.0 IP, 1 H) were able to retire a batter in the frame, with the former giving up an RBI single and the latter surrendering a decisive two-run single. Patrick Forbes (1.0 IP, 1 K) was able to corral all three outs in the frame, but by then, the damage had already been done.

Not only could Louisville not mount a late rally themselves, they struggled all afternoon to deliver the knockout blow over Duke. Despite 14 players reaching base on the afternoon, the Cardinals went just 3-for-16 with runners on base, and stranded 11 baserunners against the Blue Devils. They were also just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and 0-for-9 with two outs.

Only Jack Payton (1-4, RBI, 2B, BB) and Isaac Humphrey (1-3, RBI, BB) were the only Cardinals to drive in runs on the afternoon. Payton got Louisville on the boards in the fourth inning with an RBI double, then Humphrey put them on top with an RBI single in the fifth. Tyeler Hawkins would add a run in the eighth, scoring off of a wild pitch while pinch running for Will Cook (1-3, BB).

The come-from-behind loss spoiled another brilliant performance on the mound by Carson Liggett (6.1 IP, 7 K, 2 BB, 4 H, 1 ER). Facing a Duke squad that had plated a combined 17 runs over the first two games of the series, he allowed only one run to score during his start - a solo home run in the second - while also tying his season high in strikeouts.

Kayden Campbell (0.2 IP, 1K) was the first reliever out of the bullpen, and quickly snuffed out the trouble that Liggett began to face in the seventh.

Next up for Louisville, they'll stay on the road and head to Lexington for the road leg of their annual home-and-home series against arch rival Kentucky. First pitch of the midweek matchup is slated for Tuesday, Apr. 25 at 7:00 p.m. EST, and will be televised on the SEC Network and broadcast on 93.9 The Ville.

(Photo via Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)

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