NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Matt Helms delivered a two-out, two-run pinch-hit single to lead Louisville to a 5-3 victory over No. 2 overall seed Vanderbilt in a NCAA super regional opener Saturday.
Helms had driven in only three runs all season. But with the bases loaded in the seventh, the senior stepped in and hit a 1-2 pitch from Vanderbilt closer Brian Miller down the third-base line.
The Cardinals (50-12) tied the game just three batters earlier. Zak Wasserman drove in his second run of the game with a two-out single. Louisville strung together three two-out hits and tagged Vanderbilt starter Kevin Ziomek (11-3) for three runs in the inning.
Xavier Turner had two hits and scored two runs for the Commodores (54-11). Six of Vanderbilt's seven hits came in the opening three innings.
Louisville, playing in its first super regional since 2009, tied a program-record for regular-season wins.
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