Carpe Momentum.

Translation (Thank you interweb interpreter): Seize the Moment.

In U of L’s CWS opener Friday evening against Oregon State, one team did, the other didn’t.

The nine that did, Beavers.

The squad that didn’t, Cardinals.

When the top of the 4th rolled around, which school would strike first was still lurking in the twilight shadows in Omaha.

Literally, as there were dark and light and dark shadows alternating between the bump and the plate. Neither side’s batters could clearly read the hurling of Dax Whitney and Patrick Forbes.

But in the Cards’ opening half of that frame, after a couple of DW Ks, Jake Munroe saved his at bat, taking a wicked change up just out of the zone. Then hit a single. Followed by an Eddie King Jr. one bagger.

First and second, two down. Garret Pike fanned.

Two left.

In their at bat, the Beavers plated a couple.

Somewhat similar story for the Cards in the top of the 6th. They did get one back. But wasted men on 2d and 3d with only one gone.

The Beavers matched that tally in the bottom for a 3-1 lead.

Deja vu all over again. Top of the 7th, runners on 1st and 2d with one gone, 2d and 3d with two down. A Lucas Moore strikeout ended that opportunity. Two more left in scoring position.

A base running gaffe  deepsixed the Cards chance to take the lead in the top of the 9th. Taking advantage of some OSU Keystone Kops fielding absurdity, Louisville caught up at 3.

Had pinch runner Tanner Shiver, running for Tague Davis, not gotten tagged out in a weirdly advised attempt to steal 2d, he would have also crossed the plate.

Which bare bones insurance likely would have given rookie reliever Jake Schweitzer a smidge more confidence when returning to the mound in the bottom of the last.

He induced a lead off ground out.

Then, what honestly felt inevitable here, faltered, surrendered a single, then a walk off RBI

State 4, U of L 3.

Cards face a lose and head home/ win and stick around battle with Arizona on Sunday.

— c d kaplan