Louisville Completes Three-Game Sweep Over Youngstown State

W: Ty Starke (1-0), L: Braden Gebhardt (0-2)

Concluding their weekend series against Youngstown State, the Louisville baseball program finished what they started, taking the series finale to the tune of 10-2 on Sunday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

The Cardinals (7-4) not only pull off the three-game sweep over the Penguins (0-9), but they also extend their active win streak to seven-in-a-row. Louisville has plated double digit runs in every game but one during their win streak, averaging 14.9 runs per game in this stretch.

Louisville got their scoring efforts started in the second inning, putting up a three-spot in the frame. Ryan McCoy (1-3, RBI, 2B, BB) struck an RBI double, Isaac Humphrey (0-2, 2 BB) scampered home on a wild pitch, then Michael Lippe (1-4, RBI) collected an RBI single.

Patrick Forbes (4.0 IP, 6 K, 3 BB, 1 H) was tasked with starting on the mound in the series finale, and turned in the best performance of his young career thus far. He set career-highs in both innings pitcher and strikeouts, allowed just four batters to reach base, and only surrendered a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

The Cardinals were quick to respond to the Penguins' first run of the game, with Luke Napleton (2-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2B) blasting a 371-foot, two-run home run in the bottom of the third down the left field line. Two innings later, Napleton would also score on a throwing error, then Eddie King Jr. (2-4, RBI) followed that up with an RBI groundout.

Those weren't the only insurance runs Louisville would create, as the Cardinals took advantage of shaky defense from Youngstown State. Lucas Moore (0-0) scored on a fielding error and Kilen got home on a wild pitch in the seventh, then a fielders choice from Logan Beard (0-1, RBI) plus a throwing error brought home their final run.

While Louisville's hitters were busy creating insurance, their bullpen was busy holding it down. Ty Starke (1.1 IP, 2 K, 3 H) extended his scoreless streak to begin his collegiate career, Parker Detmers (1.2 IP, 3 K, 1 H) also kept YSU at bay in his first appearance as a reliever, Will Koger (1.0 IP, 1 K, 2 H, 1 ER) allowed just a single run off a wild pitch, then Kayden Campbell (1.0 IP, 1 K) twirled a scoreless ninth.

Next up for Louisville, they'll continue their 18-game home stand with a midweek matchup against Morehead State. First pitch is slated for Tuesday, Mar. 5 at 3:00 p.m. EST, and will be televised on ACC Network Extra and broadcast on 970 WGTK.