LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Hosting Virginia for their final series of the regular season, the Louisville baseball program got the three-game tilt started on the wrong foot, falling 8-3 on Thursday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

The Cardinals (28-26, 11-17 ACC) fall to 1-9 in series openers this season with their loss to the Cavaliers (35-18, 14-14 ACC). Their only victory in such games came back on Apr. 24 in their sweep at Clemson.

Normally a stout offensive team, Louisville had a relatively quiet day at the plate. The Cardinals produced eight base hits, but hit just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Third baseman Bayram Hot (2-5) and shortstop Alex Alicea (2-4, RBI) had multi-hit days, while Alicea plus outfielders Ben Slanker (1-3, RBI, BB) and Zion Rose (1-5, RBI) drove in runs.

Additionally, UofL had one of their worst defensive outings of the season.…