Chris Valaika Paced the Bats with Three Hits
Five Bats pitchers held the Tides to six hits on one earned run. Justin Mallett started for Louisville and gave up three hits and one run in two innings. Camilo Vazquez allowed one unearned run on two hits in two innings. Ruben Medina, Justin James and Derrik Lutz closed out the game, pitching the final five innings while striking out four.
The Bats broke out the offense in their first spring game, pounding out 16 hits. Louisville had three doubles, two triples and two homers in the contest with Chris Valaika leading the way with a 3-for-5 and RBI afternoon. Danny Dorn had a solo shot and two RBI and Drew Stubbs tripled.
Louisville takes on the Durham Bulls, Triple-A affiliate of the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays, Wednesday in Sarasota at 1:05 p.m. The Bats and Bulls last faced each other in the first round of the 2008 Governors' Cup playoffs; Durham defeated Louisville 3-1 in the best-of-five series.