Kade McClure had to endure five innings of cold and rainy conditions Tuesday afternoon, soaked to the bone, wondering if and when the University of Louisville baseball bats were ever going to come to life.
U of L was trailing 2-0 going in the sixth inning, some fans wondering if Indiana University was destined for a fourth straight win over Louisville. To make matters worse, the strike zone seemed to be a moving target, with so many unpredictable calls.
Not to worry for all that long for McClure. His teammates would come through just as they have all season long, exploding for seven hits and eight runs in that inning to put the game all but out of reach for the stunned visitors.
The win was the 11th of the season against no losses for McClure who struck out 10 batters while giving up only five hits. The win raised UofL’s midweek record to 13-0 and improved the overall record to 43-10 for the season.
Corey Ray leading the hit parade again, collecting three of them while stealing one base, scoring one run while driving in another. Danny Rosenbaum and Brendan McKay with doubles among their two hits while driving two runs apiece.
Most of the highlights occurring in the decisive sixth inning, well worth the wait, rewarding the 1,880 fans who braved the elements for the final home game in a season in which the Cardinals were 33-1 at Jim Patterson Stadium.