Generous Donation -- Walz's USA Head Coaching Position -- Schedule Changes -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

L&N Donates $2 Million

It was announced yesterday that L&N Federal Credit Union has donated $2 million to UofL Athletics to help fund upcoming projects.  Cardinal Arena will be renamed to L&N Federal Credit Union Arena for their generosity.

The funds are expected to be divided between all Division 1 sports as well as upcoming projects.  How the funds will help the volleyball program and their newly named arena has not yet been announced.

Concerns regarding donations and financial stability arose following the departure of Tom Jurich but it appears Vince Tyra and the UofL Fundraising crew has things well in hand as they continue to make UofL Athletics profitable and continue to find large donors.


Jeff Walz Named USA Basketball U19 World Cup Team Head Coach

No, Jeff Walz is not leaving UofL.  However, the legendary coach has been named head coach for a special occasion.  Walz will command the USA U19 World Cup basketball team this summer.

His staff consists of Natasha Adair (Delaware) and Cori Close (UCLA).  This staff led the 2018 USA Women's U18 National Team to a gold medal in the 2018 FIBA U19 World Cup.

The 12-member team will be selected following the trials May 16-20.  Training camp is July 5-19.  The U19 World Cup will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from July 20-28.

Updated Scheduling

As comes inclement weather so do changes to the schedules.  Softball has pushed their series opening game against Georgia Tech up to 2:00 today in hopes of beating the rain.  The 1:00 Saturday and noon Sunday games are still scheduled as normal.

Why the ACC chose to play games on Easter continues to baffle me since regular season games are cancelled on holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

Golf is down in Greensboro in the midst of the ACC Championships.  As of last night they sat 6th out of 12 teams and will continue play for the next couple of days.  There have been no changes to the schedule as of right now but things are subject to change.

Lacrosse will wrap up their regular season on Saturday at noon up north against Boston College.  The Eagles sit atop the NCAA rankings and proudly carry an unblemished record after 16 games.

Rowing will be enjoying the Palmetto State today and tomorrow as they compete in the Clemson Invitational.  Rowing does an excellent job of updating their Twitter account throughout the event.

Happy Friday, enjoy your Easter weekend, and Go Cards!

Jared

Louisville Softball 8 - Kentucky 7 -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

TAYLOR ROBY'S WALK OFF SINGLE PUSHES CARDS PAST CATS 8-7

This Louisville Softball team has a flair for dramatics, it seems. 

Patron saint of photographers Scott Utterback does work. 

The lot of them could probably do well as theater majors on the Belknap Campus -- keeping the crowd engrossed in this entertaining mystery that, at times, neither team seemed to want to in or lose. Plot twists, heroes, villains, comic relief and a spectacular ending in this three act, who-will-emerge victorious nail-biter. 

Another instant classic, from these softball student-athletes. 



In a back and forth, see-saw slug-fest against UK last night at Ulmer Stadium, the Cards struck last -- and best -- when they broke a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the seventh. Celene Funke raced home from second base on a Taylor Roby single to center with two outs to end the contest -- before a screaming, on-the-edge of their seats crowd of over 1200. Someone call a producer, a director and let's get a made-for-TV movie out on this "three hour" tour of drama, intrigue, fright, mystery and...ultimately, triumph. 

ACT I -- THE STORM. 

The Cats were the first to rattle the fences in the newly named Don Dobina Field (more on that later). Louisville pitcher Danielle Watson was having trouble negotiating terms with the strike zone and UK used two walks and a single from protagonist Katie Reed to grab a 2-0 lead before the stands were halfway full.

Undaunted, the UofL players turned the firm of Funke, Melton and Hensley loose on the case and they evened the feud at 2-2, aided by associate Rebecca Chung, who performed a magic act with a perfect bunt that allowed Melton to outfox the UK infield and score. 

The second inning brought more gripping moments, thunder and lightning action. Watson saw the bags fill up with Cats and a run scamper home after two walks, two singles and just one out. It looked dangerous on the horizon, so skipper of the boat Holly Aprile went to the galley and brought Roby to the circle to bail water. UK batter Alex Martens wasn't quite ready to produce her lightning bolt yet and Reed allowed the bailing to gather up her offering to get Louisville out of the inning trailing 3-2 -- in a situation that could have been much, much worse.

In the bottom half of the second, Maddy Newman worked UK starter Grace Baalman for a walk, Funke decided that it was time to take the nation's lead in triples and smacked one to center...and then playfully danced home on Melton's slow infield roller that no one in the UK infield could seem to figure out what to do with. 

Tired of this Three Stooges comedy, UK head coach Rachel Lawson entered stage left and went for a change of channels and performers...sitting Baalman and turning to Autumn for relief (as in pitcher Autumn Humes). The final two piles of leaves were eventually raked up, but UofL held a 4-3 edge after the second inning. 

The storm front slightly weakened in the top of the third, with UK managing just one run at that at-bat. Right fielder Lauren Johnson pounded a "nearly outta here" triple to right center that got Keisee Henson around those square white things in the dirt for a home plate touch. Roby coolly gloved a line shot right back at her from Jenny Schaper to prevent "no more soup for Blue" but the Cats had managed to even out the see-saw at 4-4.

Louisville decided that, if runs were guns, they were going to bring an arsenal to the affair in the bottom of the third. They decided to hold the "gunfight at the Ulmer corral" with two outs, as well. Funke produced a single to center, stole second and touched the plate on a booming Melton double.

Remember those two actors, they come into play later.

Not to be outdone, right fielder Megan Hensley rides her horse to the right center wall for a triple and motions for Roby to bring the rest of the cavalry. Roby responds and her triple to center clears the bases. The wide-eyed citizens of "Dobina-ville" emerged from the twister to see a 7-4 Cardinal lead on the main billboard in town. 

ACT II -- THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

The plot changes after Martens takes the microphone for a solo performance of "How far was the home run I hit to right field?" in UK's top of the fourth. 

After her four-bagger, the clouds clear, the pitchers are sending the batters back to the dugouts with dust in their pockets. and "0-fers by their names and we see just one hit combined from both teams in the next five at-bats for the squads. 

It's quite the different pace, this smooth sailing. The chatter on the berm in the outfield is relaxed and the Louisville Fire Department, with two trucks and ten guys, takes in the action from right field, off Arthur Street. Aprile decides to rest Roby after 75 pitches, brings back Watson to the circle...but still no threat of impending stormy weather. It's almost like Jimmy Buffet concert on a sunny day in the park. Where are the beach balls and frisbees? Red #1 Louisville foam fingers dance in the breeze. Those UK clouds forming on the horizon? Forget about them, it's nothing. 

Still 7-5 Louisville as the teams go to the top of the seventh. Three outs to go and the Cards are victorious. I should really know better, by now...after watching this team all season...to think that's going to come about with ease and no drama involved. 


ACT III -- HANG ON FOR YOUR LIVES !!

Who gave UK Freddy Kruger, Jason and Chucky's phone numbers? 

Unwilling to traipse quietly back to the buses waiting to haul them back to Lexington, the Cats brought in a threatening storm front. Vick singles, Johnson nearly puts one out for a double and it's 7-6. Schaper blasts a high, deep rocket to center and in what I'll call "the catch"...Funke sprints to the wall and makes an amazing catch  for the second out...but the runner tags and scores. We got a ball game. 7-7. The Cards get Cheek to ground out, but the damage has been done. The UK fans in attendance are creating a ruckus. Louisville, backs to the wall, staring at extra innings....has one last chance. 

It happens. 

After Newman grounds out. Funke decides she is not in favor of playing bonus ball and singles to center. Melton embraces the "end-it-here" concept and smacks an opposite field, solid single to left to move Funke to second. The Cats stop the action, huddle around Humes in the circle and Melton and Funke are high fiving and chest bumping on the base paths. One'll do it. Two chances. 

Hensley digs in, works the count but chases a high one, misses and there are two outs.

It's down to this at bat to end it or continue it.

Enter the redshirt freshman from Mt. Washington. Roby strides to the plate. A tired Roby, after hurling 3.2 innings of ball, throwing 75 pitches and facing a "it's now or extras" scenario. On a 0-1 pitch, she taps a shot up the middle of the diamond, that flies by Humes in the circle, eludes middle infielders Reed and Martens and rolls into center-field. UK center-fielder Sarah Rainwater comes dashing in to retrieve it. She knows a throw to home to get out Funke is the only thing that can save UK now. 

Celene Funke has one speed. One notch on the gear-shifter and that is "D". She drives around third, no hesitation or thought of stopping -- and accelerates toward home. Schaper waits at the plate for the throw, the throw arrives but Funke's speed gets her to the plate ahead of the tag and....BOOM! ...it is over.

8-7 Cards! The Cards win, the CARDS win !!! Victory secured

Pandemonium and celebration erupts from the Cardinals on the field. The Cardinal fans are going crazy and this Oscar-type performance has drawn to a close. 

Somewhere, Don Dobina is smiling. Roby, the gal who carves his first name in back of the pitching circle with her toe before throwing, has sent him a tribute. 

Hollywood couldn't have written this one any better. Somewhere, Don is smiling and raising an "L" in celebration. 

A mid-week, out of conference win. Yeah, sure...some will view it only as that. In terms of the in-state rivalry and with emphasis on how this Cardinal Softball team refuses to yield and never stops fighting, though -- it was much, much more. 


(PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON AND GREATLY APPRECIATED!) 


THEY SAID IT

Holly Aprile discusses the win over UK LINK below

HOLLY POST GAME

Taylor Roby and Celene Funke discuss the 8-7 win LINK below

FUNKE AND ROBY

UofL highlight footage of the win LINK below

LOUISVILLE 8 - UK 7



REMEMBERING DON DOBINA

Prior to the game, a field ceremony and dedication was held for Don Dobina and the field was named Don Dobina Field as a tribute to the softball pioneer who passed away in 2016.

Don founded and was president of the Louisville Lady Sluggers Softball Club. He worked tirelessly toward the development of fast pitch softball. Dobina made it possible for hundreds of girls to have the chance to get scholarships and attend more than 70 universities. Seven players in last night's contest, representing both squads, benefited under the tutelage and teachings of Don. 

A fitting tribute to "Cardinal Forever" Don Dobina. His work shall not go unforgotten.



paulie
xxxxx






  

Louisville Softball vs. Kentucky tonight -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards vs Cats on the Softball Diamond

Tonight at 6:00 p.m. Louisville softball will host arch-rival Kentucky at Ulmer Stadium for a showdown between the state’s top two teams.  Fans will scramble for what few tickets remain in hopes to catch a glimpse of the action.

The Wildcats enter the game ranked 24^th in the country and hold a 26-17 record on the season.  Of those 17 losses 12 come against ranked opponents.  They sit at 9-9 in one of the strongest softball conferences in the modern era, the SEC.

Overall, Kentucky’s pitching has been consistently good.  The five-person lineup holds a 4.16 ERA as opposed to opponents’ 7.97.  This young group has struck out 207 batters on the season (almost 5 per game) with Grace Baalman leading the charge with 77 on the year.  Kentucky holds opponents to a .248 batting average but opponents have scored often once a runner reaches base.

Abbey Cheek’s .482 batting average makes her threat every appearance at the plate.  She ranks fifth in the country with that mark.  Cheek’s 16 home runs puts her in a tie for 11^th in the NCAA.  Her on-base percentage of .628 ranks second.  Her 41 walks almost tallies one per game and is fourth in the country.

Kentucky’s offense averages 7.05 runs per game, putting them 12^th in the country. 

Louisville comes into the game with a 27-15 record and is coming off back-to-back conference series victories.  Their 8-7 conference record places them sixth in the ACC, although their .659-win percentage on the 2019 season is fourth-best in the conference.

Celene Funke remains tied for first in the country with nine triples.  Sidney Melton comes in tied for 28^th in the country with four.  Melton is first on the team with a .331 batting average.  Four Cardinals hit between .310-.320.  Funke and Melton are swiftly approaching the 50-hit mark with 47 and 45, respectively. 

In the circle, the Cards have a combined 2.74 ERA.  The crew has a combined 243 strikeouts with Danielle Watson’s 116 contributing almost half of the total.  Louisville has held opponents to a .223 batting average.

As a team, Louisville averages .56 triples per game, second best in the country.  They have batted .283, a mark that should hopefully improve in the future.  The Cards like to run and have successfully stolen 77 bases on 90 attempts compared to opposing teams going 33-42.

Plan to arrive early to accommodate for parking and a larger crowd.  The outfield berm area is considered outside of the stadium and is free for anyone to hang out.  This game will be aired on ACC Network Extra and is the first time Holly Aprile gets to face the Cats in the regular season.

Tonight's game is a "red-out" event, so choose your outfit appropriately. UofL is also offering a "swap out"...bring a UK shirt, hat or such and you can swap it out for something in red at the tables inside Ulmer Stadium -- located close to where you first walk in. (That swap-out probably doesn't include relatives or neighbors). 

National Champion Ladybirds

Let's hope softball can do what their baseball counterparts did last night (W 18-6) but preferably not as long as the four and a half hours the game in Lexington took last night.  Tonight's game will be my 59th photography event of 2019... I know, I'm slacking..

The Cats have won the last three games in the series. Last year, UK blanked the Cards 8-0 in Lexington. Kentucky holds a 20-19 edge in the series lifetime, the Cards have a 10-9 edge in games played at Ulmer Stadium

CARDINAL COUPLE will have a pretty large contingent on hand for the annual battle tonight.  Paulie, Worldwide, and myself should all be in attendance for this game. Our radio-show  regular and Ky Women Talk Sports show host Daryl Foust will also be in attendance. She also contributes over at THE CRUNCH ZONE -- check her out!

If you can't get a ticket for the event, it looks like a great night ahead for hitting the outfield berm, it is dog-friendly and you just never know who you might run into out there! Why not head to Floyd Street and take in the rivalry?

There is a small fee for parking right across the street at the appropriately named Floyd Street Garage, which opens approximately an hour before game time for parking for the event.

"A very exhausted" Jared

Louie Honors -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

AWARD NIGHT! 

Once a year, University of Louisville student athletes gather to honor their own. The ceremony is called "the Louies" . They celebrate the successes of the various Cardinal athletes and squads. A time for dressing up and a time for joy. 

The Louies took place last night. Historic Brown Theatre was the venue. A wide variety of accomplishments and successes are covered on this very special night for Louisville Athletics and we think they all "clean up pretty well" for this occasion to embrace their collegiate peers. 

The adidas High Performance Athlete of the Year was awarded to Asia Durr (WBB), Mallory Comerford (W.Swimming) and Nick Albiero (M.Swimming). This is the highest individual award a Cardinal can receive in relationship to the Louies ceremony and certainly well-earned and deserved by all three.

Arica Carter received the L1C4 award. This is another high honor and goes to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the meaning of the athletic department's culture: humble and hungry. 

Softball's Celene Funke was named the female Breakthrough athlete for her scintillating sophomore season. She has rapidly become the voice, the spirit leader and the excitement example of Louisville Softball. 

Soccer's Emina Ekic took down the Comeback Player of the Year. After a devastating injury to end the 2017 season, she roared back and earned second team All-American honors in 2018. 

The full list below. A hearty and sincere "Congratulations!!" from all of us at Cardinal Couple to these student athletes and squad who have brought us so much joy on the venues of competition! 

It is said that one of the highest accomplishments one can receive is the recognition for a job well done by one's peers. 

The Louies embodies that. 

adidas High Performance Athlete of the Year
Male: Nicolas Albiero (swimming and diving)
Female: Mallory Comerford (swimming and diving) and Asia Durr (women's basketball)

L1C4 Award 
Arica Carter (women's basketball)

Record-Breaking Performance
Simon Zach (men's golf)

Breakthrough Athlete
Celene Funke (softball)
Jordan Nwora (men's basketball)

Comeback Player of the Year
Emina Ekic (women's soccer)

Best Championship Performance 
Women's Swimming and Diving

Moment of the Year 
Mallory Comerford winning her third national championship

Kentucky Farm Bureau CardsCARE Individual
Noah McBride (track and field)
Emily Corso (rowing)

Kentucky Farm Bureau CardsCARE Team
Field Hockey

UPS Leadership Award
Male: Christen Cunningham (men's basketball)
Female: Emily Howell (women's lacrosse)

Outstanding Senior Cheer Award 
Emily Mattey

Outstanding Senior Ladybird Award 
Sydney Thompson

Outstanding Senior Pep Band Award 
Kayla Goodman

Freshman of the Year
Men: Bartosz Piszczorowicz (swimming and diving)
Female: Violette Legrand (rowing)

Sophomore of the Year
Male: Logan Wyatt (baseball)
Female: Mercedes Pastor (field hockey)

Junior of the Year
Male: Christopher Morin-Kougoucheff (men's tennis)
Female: Dorcas Wasike (cross country)

Ed Kallay Senior of the Year
Male: Tate Schmitt (men's soccer)
Female: Ayeisha McFerran (field hockey)

Humble & Hungry Award
Celene Funke (softball)

Highest Senior GPA
Abigail Wright (track and field)

Highest Team GPA
Women's Swimming and Diving

Softball slugs past BC -- Walz adds three -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL CREATES OWN AIR SHOW WITH 10-2 WIN OVER BOSTON COLLEGE

The Louisville Softball team missed Saturday's Thunder Over Louisville, so they decided to create a little "Thunder" of their own in Brighton, MA with a 10-2, six inning win over Boston College on Sunday. 

Megan Hensley provided the main fireworks with two home runs against Eagles pitching. She popped a solo shot over the left-center fence in the second inning and came back with a three RBI explosion in the sixth. Celene Funke was on the barge as well, and sent a two RBI, touch 'em all, shot to freedom in the fourth inning. 

All told, the Cards exploded for eight hits (six of them from Funke and Hensley) to go to 27-15 on the season and 8-7 in the ACC. Several walks allowed by Eagle pitching, a few well place bunts and some BC throwing errors allowed Louisville to build an early 1-0 lead after one, increase it to 5-0 after two and then watch the duo light the M-80's and cherry bombs that concluded the festivity. 

Taylor Roby took the circle to relieve Hensley with one out in the second and tossed a bucket of water on any potential Boston College flare ups with 4.2 innings of one-hit pyrotechnics of her own. 

We're hopeful that SB Cards didn't blast off all their explosives while in Massachusetts. State rival UK comes to Floyd Street Wednesday for the annual Battle of the Bluegrass i Ulmer. 


CARDS WBB ADDS THREE TALENTED TRANSFERS. 

Jeff Walz decided to create a few fireworks as well over the weekend. Or maybe he has pre-Derby fever...because he just hit a huge trifecta. The Cards WBB program had three visitors over the weekend the seeing seeking brighter lights and big boom possibilities and found them in Louisville. 

Elizabeth Balogun and Elizabeth Dixon, from Georgia Tech and Kianna Smith, from California will be joining the roster for the 2019-20 season as transfers in and could have a huge impact and affect on Walz Ball down on the north end of Floyd Street.

What a huge boost to the team! The "Elizabeths" are freshmen. Smith spent two seasons as a Cal Bear and was part of two NCAA Tournament teams. Walz continues to bring in answers for future needs and players that will light up the KFC YUM! Center for a very long time. 

Let's look at each new addition: 

BALOGUN was the ACC Freshman Player of the Year. The 6'1" Chattanooga guard was also ACC Player of the Week four times in the 2018-19 season. She is a scorer from about anywhere on the court and 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Cards when GT visited the KFC YUM! Center back on 1/13/19...one of her two double-double games on thee season. She amassed 437 points as a freshman, second highest in Yellow Jacket history. She started all 30 games last season. 

DIXON, a 6'5" forward, was named to the ACC All-Freshman team. She also started all 30 games for Georgia Tech and was named the ACC Freshman of the Week three times. She's a powerful rebounder, runs the court well and led all ACC freshmen with 6.4 rebounds a contest. Her 11.0 p.p.g. She hails from Memphis and will add needed height to the Cardinals roster. She had just 14 minutes against the Cards in the 1/13/19, 61-44 win but gathered six rebounds against the Cards. For future reference, she's called "Liz" a lot. 

SMITH, a 6'0" guard played at Moreno Valley during her high school days, scored 600 points in her two years at Cal. 91 three-pointers highlighted her career on the West Coast and she has 244 assists. She put up 20 against Oregon in PAC 12 play and had 18 against eventual National Champion Baylor in NCAA Tournament Second Round action. An exceptionally quick player who excels at long range shooting, she was on the PAC 12 All-Freshman team her first year and named to the PAC 12 Honorable Mention squad her second season.

All three girls were McDonald's All-American selections in high school. 

They'll join incoming freshmen Ramani Parker, Nyah Green and Norika Konno -- plus redshirt freshman Molly Lockhart and grad transfer Yacine Diop as Cardinals. Louisville also returns Yacine Diop from her injury -- plus returnees Jazmine Jones, Kylee Shook, Bionca Dunham, Dana Evans, Kasa Robinson, Seygan Robins, Lindsey Duvall, Jessica Laemmle and last year's walk-on Alexis Barlow. 

We, as fans, sometimes worry too much about when the timeline will suit our own hopes.

In all probability, all three transfers will redshirt a year, learn Walz's system and get to know their teammates, the campus and take some time to acclimate.  Maybe we should just celebrate their arrival and enjoy the aspect of them being here, instead of wanting to know when they'll perform. 

Walz has gone out and addressed needs. Give the man credit for work that has been accomplished. In our "microwave" society, we want it all and want it now. Sometimes we forget to savor the current moment. This is one to savor. 

In short, don't anticipate the "end of the concert". Enjoy the music that is currently being played. Question not, nor demand knowledge of the time frame. Just celebrate that it's happened. 

Join us in welcoming the three new Burger Girls to the Ville!! Join us in welcoming three excellent freshmen to the fold also. 

Sympathize with Paulie.  How in the world will he learn all six new players' faces, personalities and styles all at the same time!

Not bad stuff from a guy who got out-coached, according to a government source, to end the season. I suspect we should all just say, "Thank you, Jeff!" and "Thank you, players." for deciding to come here. We should do that a lot. 

It's ALWAYS a great day to be a Louisville Cardinal. 


paulie
xxxxx



   



  

Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Good and Bad Saturday

Some Good News to Start...

While most of the UofL women's sports results weren't the desired outcome yesterday, we did get a piece of good news, so we'll start there.

Gabrielle Vincent, defender extraordinaire, and an absolute delight to interview as well, was added to the Utah Royals FC roster when it was unveiled this week.  Gabrielle was a major part of UofL's stout defensive efforts over the past couple of years, and was frequently available for questions from the media at Fall Sports Media Days and other times.  Royals FC is definitely getting a good one in Gabrielle, not only a quality defender, but also a personable and upbeat teammate to build a good team culture on.

Boston College Evens Series

A back and forth affair in Brighton, MA, but the Boston College Eagles eventually came away victorious, 8-4.  Most of the offensive execution returned to the top part of the line-up.

The offense got started early with lead-off hitter Celene Funke getting a hit, and in a stat that will
surprise absolutely no one who has paid attention to the team this year, stole second.  She finished the circuit on Sidney Melton's single.  Unfortunately, the offense got started early for Boston College as well as they answered with 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st.

The bottom of the line-up didn't go unrepresented in the offense, albeit in less conventional style, with Taylor Roby getting a single, Caitlin Ferguson getting plunked, followed by Kyra Snyder and Maddy Newman drawing walks to plate Jordyn Wolfe who had entered to pinch run for Roby.

With the score evened at 2 after 3 1/2 innings, BC put up 4 to retake the lead and extend it to 6-2.  They added a couple more in the 5th to reach their tally of 8 for the game.

The Cards would rally some, but it wasn't enough.  Sidney Melton doubled, and Megan Hensley took one beyond the fence to bring Melton home, with the pair bringing the score to the 8-2 final.

The Cards and Eagles will decide the series today with a noon start, with ACC Network Extra being listed for video.

Lacrosse Takes an L

We knew the Lacrosse game against Virginia would be a challenge, and while the Cards came out on
the losing side, this was an effort that can be respected against a quality Top 10 opponent.  UVA came away with the 16-12 victory.

UVA got off to a quick start with the first draw control and a score just 10 seconds into the game, but the Cards didn't give up.  They battled and kept the game close at 4-3 halfway through the first half.  UVA went on a run, but UofL didn't fold, scoring two goals just before halftime bringing the halftime tally to 9-5.

The Cards kept that momentum going opening the 2nd half, scoring another pair to draw within two at 9-7.  UVA answered with a pair of their own to stretch the lead to 11-7.  Most of the 2nd half was alternative scores, although UVA did sneak in a 3-0 run in the midst of it.  UofL would score a final 2 in the last minute of play to draw the score to 16-12, but it just wasn't enough.

The Blalock sisters both contributed, with 4 goals for Sarah, and 1 for Caroline.  Tessa Chad and Alex McNicholas both got a pair, and single goals were also contributed by Kayla Marshall, Ally Hall, and Shayla Scanlan.

The Cards Lacrosse Squad will wrap up the season Saturday, the 20th at Boston College with a noon first draw.  No video is listed for this one.
The ACCNE will probably pick it up, one would guess.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

After a near-crisis with the computer that supplies our intro and exit music, walk up music, and various sound effects, the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour made it to air sonically intact yesterday.

You can check out the fun, as usual, on Facebook Live at:

https://www.facebook.com/WCHQfm/videos/1139417329575277/

Jared was off banking, we were all scrambling for parking along the no-parking-for-Thunder Mellwood, and great fun was had regardless of all of that.

Check it out!

-- 

JMcA

Softball Wins; Track and Field and Golf Busy -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Come Back in Chestnut Hill

After handing Florida State their first conference series loss since 2012, Louisville softball was rewarded with a mid-week break before heading northeast for a three-game set with Boston College. In the first game of that series yesterday, Louisville saw the struggling hosts (13-24, 3-10) jump out to a 2-0 lead through four innings.

After holding everyone at 0 runs in the fifth, Louisville decided that they didn't want to lose to the Eagles. The Cards put up 5 runs in the top of the sixth inning and added another 4 in the top of the seventh for good measure. Boston College was unable to score anymore runs and a 2-0 lead turned into a 9-2 loss for the home team.

Megan Hensley got the start and was okay through her three innings. She allowed just one hit, but walked three and allowed a run. She was lifted at the beginning of the fourth for Taylor Roby. Roby allowed a run as soon as she entered, but also allowed just that one run and one hit. After Roby bookended a strikeout in the sixth inning with a pair of four pitch walks, Danielle Watson came in to get the last out of the sixth with runners on first and second. Presumably to save her arm for the rest of the series, Watson was pulled after her one out performance with the Cards holding a 9 run lead going into the bottom of the seventh. Roby finished the game out with a 1-2-3 inning and that was all she wrote.

Though the Cardinals' offense didn't cross the plate until the sixth inning, a Louisville batter reached base in every inning prior except for the fourth. All told, the Cards would finish with nine hits and draw four walks. However, they did strike out six times collectively and left eight runners on base.

Louisville was not led by the usual suspects, as Maddy Newman and Charley Butler picked up 6 of the 9 RBIs. Newman finished 2-3 at the plate and drew a walk, while all of Butler's RBIs came off of a bases loaded double. Kyra Snyder also had a big day at the plate, going 3-4 and knocking in a run. Sidney Melton had an unusual day to forget, going just 1-4 at the plate and drawing a walk, but leaving 4 on base. 

The Cards will look to take the series and set up a potential sweep in game two of the series today at 1PM. Louisville will hope to have a bit more consistent bats in today's game. The game is listed on ACC Network Extra, so if you aren't down at the Waterfront for Thunder Over Louisville, tune in at home. If you are down at the Waterfront and have unlimited data, feel free to tune in on your phone, or keep up on Twitter.

Golf Holds Strong but Falls Short

The Cards are down in Georgia for the Liz Murphey Collegiate Invitational and are taking on tough squads from mostly the SEC. Louisville dropped a pair of team matches yesterday in an individual match play format to a pair of ranked SEC teams.

The first came against #6 Arkansas, with Louisville earning a pair of wins from Mairead Martin and Lauren Hartlage, but ultimately falling 3-2 overall. The second loss came after Louisville battled to an all-square finish with wins from Margot Bechadergue and Olivia Cason and a draw from Delaney Shah. Ultimately, Florida was granted the win on overall margin of victory after an unfortunate 6 and 5 finish from Lauren Hartlage. Louisville got back on the course this morning just after 8AM.

Strong Opening for T&F in Louisville Invitational

Louisville swept the hammer throw in both competitions yesterday and had three finishers in the top six on the women's side. Makenli Forrest took home first place and was followed by Carsen Cassell and Halee Hudson in fifth and sixth. Forrest's first place throw was nearly 10 meters further than Cassell's fifth. No other results from the women's side were listed for yesterday, but the competition continues today.

Ionescu Takes Wooden Award

The Cards WBB star Asia Durr was one of the finalist for the Wooden Award, which is player of the
year, but the honor went to Oregon's Sabina Ionescu. The junior decided early in the month to return to school instead of trying her luck in the WNBA Draft.

Ionescu winning was a surprise to many, including Ionescu -- who sat there open-mouthed in amazement when her name was called. Many thought Durr or possibly nominee Megan Gustafson from Iowa would get the nod.

Just goes to show that we don't always get what we want, but Durr had a huge season and it is an honor just to be named in the final five.  The other finalists were Tearia McCowan and Napheesa Collier. Jeff Walz was in L.A. with Durr for the awards ceremony.

Durr, who was selected #2 in the recent WNBA Draft, is headed to New York to play for the Liberty and many experts think it'll be a great fit for her.

Someone make sure and notify Matt Bevin.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

As Jared mentioned yesterday, he's out of the studio today, but we still have plenty of show to bring you today leading up to the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show this afternoon. Paulie, Jeff, Daryl, and I will talk plenty of softball, lacrosse, WNBA draft, and more on this week's Cardinal Couple Radio Hour. As always, the show begins at 11AM on WCHQ FM and will be available on 100.9 FM, wchqfm.com, the WCHQ App, and on Facebook Live. Tune in and join us, won't you?

LINK: www.wchqfm.com

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-