Louisville Blasted by Virginia in Series Opener, Losing Streak Now at Five

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
UL	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	3	5	9	1
UVA	3	0	2	0	7	1	1	1	X	15	16	0

W: Nick Parker (5-0), L: Ryan Hawks (5-3)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Traveling to face Virginia for their final true road games of the 2023 regular season, the Louisville baseball program kicked off the three-game series by stumbling right out of the gates, falling 15-5 Friday at Disharoon Park.

Already on the outside looking in when it comes to both the NCAA and ACC Tournament, the Cardinals' (29-20, 9-16 ACC) chances to reach the postseason continue to remain on life support. They're now on a five-game losing streak, which is their longest since dropping eight in a row back in May of 2011, and have lost 13 of their last 17 games.

It was the most runs allowed all season by Louisville, as well as their worst loss by run differential since dropping a 14-3 decision at Wake Forest on May 7, 2022.

The No. 21 Cavaliers (39-11, 14-11 ACC) wasted little time establishing their dominance in the series opener. They roughed up Louisville starter Ryan Hawks (4.0 IP, 2 K, 3 BB, 6 H, 5 ER), collecting a three-run home run in the first and a two-run blast in the third off of him. It marked his second-shortest start of the season, ahead of only his three-inning start at Wake Forest back on Apr. 14

Things quickly spiraled out of control once Hawks' day was done. Kade Grundy (0.2 IP, 1 BB, 5 H, 6 ER) retired the first two batters in the fifth as the first reliever out of the bullpen, then allowed two RBI singles, an RBI double and a three-run blast. Ben Wiegman (1.1 IP, 1 BB, 2 H, 1 ER) was able to get the final out of the frame, but not before a dropped fly ball by Eddie King Jr. in center field allowed a seventh two-out run by UVA in the frame.

It wasn't until the seventh inning, after giving up 13 unanswered runs, that Louisville finally got themselves on the board. Isaac Humphrey (1-3, RBI) and Haven Mangrum (2-2, 2 RBI, 2B) each notched RBI singles, with the Cardinals collecting five of their nine base hits in this frame. Mangrum was the only Card with a multi-hit day.

Still, Virginia wasn't going to take their foot off of the gas. Will Koger (2.0 IP, 2 K, 1 BB, 3 H, 2 ER) was tasked with pitching the final two frames for Louisville, with the Cavs tallying a sacrifice fly in the seventh and an RBI single in the eighth.

After going quietly in the eighth, Louisville had some life in the ninth. Mangrum was able to strike an RBI single, while Ryan McCoy (1-5, 2 RBI) drove in a pair on his own RBI double. However, that would be the only offense generated by the Cardinals in the final frame, securing the blowout loss.

Next up for Louisville, they'll try and even their series against Virginia in game two. First pitch is slated for Saturday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. EST, and will be televised on ACC Network Extra and broadcast on 93.9 The Ville.

(Photo of Isaac Humphrey: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report

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