Louisville Falls to Vanderbilt in Extras, Drops Fourth-Straight

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10+	R	H	E
VU	0	0	2	0	2	0	1	2	1	4	12	12	1
UL	0	2	2	0	3	0	0	0	1	0	8	8	4

W: David Horn (2-0), L: Cameron Robinson (0-1)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Returning home for their annual Battle of the Barrel rivalry matchup with Vanderbilt, the Louisville men's basketball program spoiled a golden opportunity to earn a much-needed win for their NCAA Tournament resume, falling 12-8 in 12 innings Tuesday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Coming off of a series at Clemson in which they were swept, the loss by the Cardinals (29-19) ties their longest losing streak of the season at four games, and snaps a two-game win streak over the Commodores (35-13). Louisville chances at making the NCAA Tournament continue to dwindle, as they have now dropped 12 of their last 16 games.

The Cardinals led 7-4 though the first six innings, but allowed the Commodores to plate four unanswered runs in the late innings to find themselves trailing heading to the bottom of the ninth. Isaac Humphrey (1-5, RBI, 2B) was able to strike a game-tying RBI double to force extras, but Louisville was unable to generate any offense after regulation, and later allowed a four-spot in the 12th.

The loss spoiled a fantastic outing by Jack Payton (2-5, HR, 4 RBI, BB), who made his return to the starting lineup after having to miss the series at Clemson. He led the team in runs driven in, launched his 11th home run of the season, and was the only Cardinal to log a multi-hit day.

Louisville was the first to crack the scoreboard, with Gavin Kilen (1-5, 2 RBI, 2B, BB) collecting a two-run double in the second inning. Following a scoreless start by Tate Kuehner (2.0 IP, 2 K, 1 BB, 1 H), Vanderbilt briefly tied the game with a two-run homer off of Kade Grundy (1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 2 ER) in the third, but the Cardinals immediately jumped back in front thanks to a two-run single from Payton in the bottom of the frame.

The Commodores certainly would not be deterred. After Alex Galvan (1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 H) pitched a scoreless fourth, Vandy put up another two-spot in the fifth to tie the game again. They took advantage of a pair of throwing errors to plate one run, then scratched across the other courtesy of a sacrifice fly off of Evan Webster (1.0 IP, 3 H).

Like the first time, Louisville responded swiftly, putting up a three-spot in the bottom of the sixth to jump right back in front. J.T. Benson (1-6, RBI) broke the tie with an RBI single, then Payton struck again for a 362-foot, two-run home run into the right field trees.

Down the stretch, Vanderbilt once again started chipping into Louisville's lead. After Kaleb Corbett (1.0 IP) tossed a clean sixth inning, the Commodores bounced back with an RBI single in the seventh off of Kayden Campbell (1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 H, 1 ER).

Patrick Forbes (0.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER) was tasked with tossing the eighth, but he would get yanked after allowing the first two batters to reach base. In a move that signified the importance of the game, normal Friday night starter Ryan Hawks (1.1 IP, 2 K, 1 H) was inserted. The decision immediately backfired, as he allowed a game-tying, two-run single with two outs.

Hawks struck out the first batter of the ninth, but then he was relieved in favor of Greg Farone (1.2 IP, 4 K, 1 H, 1 ER). he then immediately allowed a go-ahead solo home run, setting up for Humphrey's equalizing RBI single.

Farone, Will Koger (0.0 IP, 2 BB) and Cam Robinson (1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 2 H, 2 ER) were able to keep Vanderbilt off the board in the 10th and 11th innings, but the Commodores finally broke through in the third frame of extra innings. Robinson allowed a two-run RBI single, while Ben Wiegman (1.0 IP, 1 K) allowed an RBI grounder and a passed ball to plate two more for Vandy.

Next up for Louisville, they'll play their final true road games of the regular season, traveling for a three-game weekend series at Virginia. First pitch of game one is slated for Friday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. EST, and will be televised on ACC Network Extra and broadcast on 93.9 The Ville.

(Photo of Riley Phillips: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)

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