Louisville Sweeps Doubleheader with Claymont – Softball
The Louisville Leopards hosted the Claymont Mustangs for a softball doubleheader Saturday at West Main Vet Clinic Field. Louisville swept Claymont shutting out the Mustangs 5-0 in game one and also taking game two 8-2. The Lady Leopards improve to 7-11 with the victories.
Game 1 Recap | Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Recap | Game 2 Box Score
Game 1: Louisville 5, Claymont 0
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The Louisville Leopards Varsity Softball Team shutout the visiting Claymont Mustangs 5-0 in game one of their double header Saturday Morning at West Main Vet Clinic Field. With the victory, Louisville improves to 6-11 on the season.
Thomas Throws 2-Hit Shutout
Junior starting pitcher Kendra Thomas threw a two-hit shutout to lead the Lady Leopards. Thomas pitched all seven innings, walked just one batter, and struck out five en rout to her team leading fourth victory of the season.
Thomas retired 14 of the final 15 Claymont batters she faced and retired the side in order in the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings. Sophomore shortstop Lani Abbuhl’s double in the sixth inning accounted for the only Lady Mustangs hit during the final four innings of play.
Benson Homers Twice for Louisville
Sophomore shortstop Matti Benson went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs to lead the Lady Leopards at the plate. She blasted a solo shot to center field in the first inning and later cracked a two-run home run in the bottom of the third to put Louisville ahead 3-0.
This is the third multi-homer game of Benson’s career. She also hit two homers against Alliance earlier this year and against the same Aviators team in 2021 as well.
Thomas & Denzer Drive In Runs in the 4th
The Lady Leopards added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomore center fielder Brooke Haren recorded a one-out single and put herself into scoring position by stealing second base. On the next pitch, Thomas contributed to her own cause with an RBI single to center that scored Haren from second.
Three batters later, sophomore third baseman Kenzi Denzer hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded that brought courtesy runner Paige Folk to the plate to give Louisville a commanding 5-0 advantage.
Game 2: Louisville 8, Claymont 2
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The Louisville Leopards Varsity Softball Team completed a twin bill sweep of the visiting Claymont Mustangs with an 8-2 victory in game two late morning/early afternoon Saturday at West Main Vet Clinic Field. With the victory, Louisville improves to 7-11 on the year.
Leopards Jump in Front with 3-Run First
The Lady Leopards scored all three of their first inning runs with two outs to take an early 3-0 advantage. Junior second baseman Shelby Mayle and sophomore center fielder Brooke Haren hit back-to-back two-out RBI singles scoring sophomore shortstop Matti Benson and senior first baseman Jenna Collins.
On the next pitch, Haren and Mayle executed a successful double steal that resulted in Haren taking second and Mayle stealing home for Louisville’s third run of the contest.
Claymont Cuts Into Louisville Lead
The Lady Mustangs answered back with a run in the top of the second inning. Senior third baseman Lexi Greer doubled to start the frame and advanced to third base when senior catcher Savannah Morris grounded out to third. Freshman right fielder Reece Hudnall followed with a sacrifice bunt that brought home Greer for Claymont’s first run of the game.
The Mustangs inched closer in the fifth inning to trim the Leopard lead to 3-2. Sophomore shortstop Lani Abbuhl doubled to center field and was tagged out by third baseman Kenzi Denzer via a throw from Haren in center. While her attempt at a triple failed, her extra base-hit brought home freshman left fielder Anna Bloom from second on the play to trim the Claymont deficit to a single run.
Lady Leopards Score Five Unanswered Runs
The Mustangs wouldn’t score again, but the Leopards would tack on five more runs to pull ahead 8-2. In the fifth, Mayle hit another two-out single bringing across Benson to make it 4-2.
Louisville’s two-out magic continued in the sixth inning. Benson smacked a two-out, two-run double to left field scoring freshman designated hitter Olivia Mongiardo and sophomore left fielder Paige Folk. Collins followed with a two-run home run over the center field fence to cap off the Leopards six-run inning. The homer was Collins sixth of the season and the 24th for Louisville as a team.
Heath Earns Victory in the Circle
Sophomore starting pitcher Katie Heath earned the victory in the circle for the Lady Leopards. She worked 6 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, and struck out four.
Claymont loaded the bases with one out in the seventh inning and junior pitcher Kendra Thomas returned to the circle to face the final hitter. After two foul balls, Abbuhl hit a line drive right back at Thomas who the caught the ball before firing back to Collins at first for a game-ending double play.
Louisville Vs. Claymont Softball History
The Leopards have now won three straight against the Mustangs. Louisville now leads the all-time series 3-1 with every game being played at West Main Vet Clinic Field.
The two teams also met for a twin bill last season. Claymont won the first game 11-5 and Louisville took the second game 12-9.
<<< Previous 2021 | Claymont All-Time Series
UP NEXT: The Lady Leopards will next host the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish on Monday, May 2 at 5:00 PM.
Cover Photo By The Louisville Herald
Claymont at Louisville Softball Box Score Game 1
LEOPARDS 5, MUSTANGS 0
Team 123-45–R-H-E
Claymont 000-000-0–0-2-0
Louisville 102-200-X–5-7-0
CLAYMONT MUSTANGS SOFTBALL BATTING STATS GAME 1
| Lineup | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lani Abbuhl | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Makena Brown | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rylee Groah | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alexa Shearn | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Skylar Schilling | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lexi Greer | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Savanna Morris | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lily Cox | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Reece Hudnall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Meadow Duvall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anna Bloom | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Totals | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
CLAYMONT MUSTANGS SOFTBALL PITCHING STATS GAME 1
| Pitching | IP | #P | S% | H | R | ER | SO | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rylee Groah | 6.0 | 91 | .648 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Totals | 6.0 | 91 | .648 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS SOFTBALL BATTING STATS GAME 1
| Lineup | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenzi Denzer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Matti Benson | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jenna Collins | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Katie Heath | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brooke Brendle | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shelby Mayle | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brooke Haren | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kendra Thomas | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Matti Adams | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Caitlin Thouvenin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Paige Folk | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 24 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS SOFTBALL PITCHING STATS GAME 1
| Pitching | IP | #P | S% | H | R | ER | SO | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kendra Thomas | 7.0 | 69 | .667 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Totals | 7.0 | 69 | .667 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Records: Louisville 6-11
Claymont at Louisville Softball Box Score Game 2
LEOPARDS 8, MUSTANGS 2
Team 123-456-7–R-H-E
Claymont 010-010-0–2-5-0
Louisville 300-014-X–8-10-1
CLAYMONT MUSTANGS SOFTBALL BATTING STATS GAME 2
| Lineup | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lani Abbuhl | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Makena Brown | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rylee Groah | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alexa Shearn | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Skylar Schilling | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Lexi Greer | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Savanna Morris | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Reece Hudnall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Anna Bloom | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Hailey Fellows | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Meadow Duvall | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Totals | 23 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
CLAYMONT MUSTANGS SOFTBALL PITCHING STATS GAME 2
| Pitching | IP | #P | S% | H | R | ER | SO | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meadow Duvall | 6.0 | 99 | .616 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Totals | 6.0 | 99 | .616 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS SOFTBALL BATTING STATS GAME 2
| Lineup | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenzi Denzer | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matti Benson | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jenna Collins | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Riley Walters | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brooke Brendle | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Chay Cline | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shelby Mayle | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brooke Haren | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Caitlin Thouvenin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Olivia Mongiardo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matti Adams | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paige Folk | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Katie Heath | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kendra Thomas | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Totals | 27 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS SOFTBALL PITCHING STATS GAME 2
| Pitching | IP | #P | S% | H | R | ER | SO | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katie Heath | 6.1 | 98 | .561 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Kendra Thomas | 0.2 | 3 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 7.0 | 101 | .574 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Record: Louisville 7-11
