There is still more Louisville baseball to be played in 2025.
The Cardinals used a dramatic six run 8th inning to stun Arizona, 8-3, in a College World Series elimination game Sunday afternoon in Omaha.
Up until the decisive frame, U of L — looking to avoid an 0-2 trip at the CWS for a third time in six appearances — had trailed for the entirety of the contest. Arizona touched Cardinal starter Ethan Eberle for a pair of runs in the top of the first, and then added to their lead with a solo home run in the third inning.
Louisville had been a beyond frustrating 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position before Zion Rose blooped a bases loaded single down the right field line off of ace Wildcat closer Tony Pluta to make the score 4-3.
A single by Kamau Neighbors — who went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate — an error, a successful squeeze bunt and another single from Matt Klein set the game’s final margin.
Pluta, the National Stopper of the Year award winner, hadn’t surrendered a run since early April. Arizona had been unbeaten on the season when leading beyond the top of the 8th inning.
U of L’s bullpen, on the other hand, was once again lights out. Wyatt Danilowicz (1.1 IP, 3 K, 2 BB) and Tucker Biven (4.0 IP, 2 K, 5 H) combined to pitch 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball. Eberle gave up three runs on five hits over 3.2 innings.
Louisville will now face the loser of Sunday night’s matchup between No. 8 Oregon State and No. 13 Coastal Carolina. The first pitch for the Tuesday afternoon elimination game is set for 2 p.m.
Survive. Advance.
See you Tuesday afternoon.