Benson Hits 8th Inning Walk-Off as Leopards Blow Away Tornadoes 1-0 – Softball
Louisville 1, Dover 0
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The Louisville Leopards Varsity Softball Team shutout the visiting Dover Tornadoes 1-0 Tuesday Evening at West Main Vet Clinic Field. With the victory, Louisville improves to 14-2 on the season.
Benson Hits Extra Inning Walk-Off
The two teams combined for just 6 hits through 7 1/2 innings before senior shortstop Matti Benson came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth. The Maryland commit didn’t disappoint. With 2 outs and the threat of rain looming, Benson crushed a 2-2 pitch over the left field fence to lift the Lady Leopards to a 1-0 win.
Benson exchanged a low-five with Head Coach Kristen Miller after rounding third base and was mobbed by her teammates at home plate. The home run was her 9th of the season and the 20th hit by Louisville as a team for the 2024 campaign.
The walk-off is the second of Benson’s varsity career. She also hit a walk-off 2-run homer against Solon in the sectional semifinals last season. The dinger is the 36th of her career overall.
Miller Dominate in 3-Hit Shutout
Starting pitcher Katelyn Miller was equally impressive in the circle for the Lady Leopards in throwing a complete game shutout. She pitched all 8 innings, allowed just 1 walk and 3 hits, and struck out 8.
Miller retired the side in order in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th innings and during one stretch sat down 13 Dover batters in a row. No Tornado reached third base during the game. Dover’s Lainey Kohler was the only one to reach second base after she singled with two outs in the opening frame and advanced to second on an error.
Miller improves to 5-0 on the season with the victory.
Griffith Records Multi-Hit Game
Louisville out-hit Dover 4-3 for the game. The Lady Leopards were led in hits by Bailee Griffith who finished 2-for-3 with singles in the fifth and seventh innings.
The first 11 Louisville batters were retired in order by Dover pitcher Kara Lint, before Miller notched Louisville’s first hit on a single to center in the fourth inning.
Lint Fans 14 for Tornadoes
Lint pitched a complete game in a losing effort. She worked 7 2/3 innings, surrendered just 1 run on 4 hits, issued 1 walk, and struck out 14. She retired the side in order during the first three innings including striking out the side in the second inning.
Kohler, Olivia McCue, and Susie Peltz recorded the only hits for Dover.
Louisville Snaps Losing Streak Vs. Dover
The Leopards had lost to the Tornadoes in each of the past three seasons coming into Tuesday. Louisville is now 10-11 all-time against Dover. This is the fifth time the Leopards have shutout the Tornadoes overall dating back to their first meeting in 1990.
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Dover at Louisville Softball Box Score
LEOPARDS 1, TORNADOES 0
Team 123-456-78–R-H-E
Dover 000-000-00–0-3-0
Louisville 000-000-01–1-4-2
Records: Louisville 14-2, Dover 15-3
