Wednesday doubleheader for Louisville softball

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-#12 Louisville softball heads to Philly for doubleheader


-Bobby Petrino: What now?


-Louisville baseball downs UK 12-0


-More on Baylor and Mulkey


-Clark-Heard names assistant at WKU

Kristin Austin has the highest
batting average in the BIG EAST.

Louisville Softball (33-2, 7-2) takes a mid-week trip to the City of Brotherly Love for Philly cheese-steaks, a viewing of the Rocky statue and a double-header against the Villanova Wildcats. The BIG EAST foe is 25-12 on the season, 0-6 in BIG EAST action and comes into the game after getting swept by Connecticut in a three game series over the weekend. 


The Wildcats have the second best batter in the BIG EAST in Jamie O' Hara (.384). Molly Manning and Briana Fujii are the run producers with 21 RBI's each. In the circle, Caitlyn Delahaba is 13-8 and solid with a 2.79 ERA. Manning gets the call from the stripe as well and is 10-4 with a 3.11 ERA.

Tori Collins is one of three
pitchers Sandy Pearsall uses.

Louisville boasts the leading hitter in the conference in Kristin Austin, who is the only BIG EAST hitter batting over .400 on the year. Her .407 average is complemented with 30 runs scored and seven triples. Louisville has seven players in the starting lineup batting over .300. Sandy Pearsall has torrid Tori Collins, Chelsea Leonard and Caralisa Connell to choose from when the Wildcats are at bat. The trio has a combined 1.26 ERA and have fanned 252 batters in 234.1 innings. 


Louisville lost the first game to 'Nova 3-1 when the teams  last met on March 26th, 2011 but rallied to take the final two games of the series 5-3 and 12-5 the next day at Ulmer Stadium. Louisville leads the overall series 9-2.


The Cards return to Ulmer for a non-conference, 3-game weekend series against Longwood this Saturday and Sunday.


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Arkansas AD Jeff Long

As we expected here at CARDINAL COUPLE, former UofL head football coach Bobby Petrino has been fired at Arkansas. Watching the news conference with Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long at the podium detailing the events and the reasoning behind the 'Bobster's' ousting showed us that Long had a hard time with the decision. He choked up several times when addressing the media and seemed to be portraying a man who was reluctantly relaying a difficult decision on a highly controversial situation.

Gotta wonder if wedding bells
will still ring for "JD" in June.
Seems Bobby already laid
down some serious cash for
the bridal shower.

He and the University did the right thing, though. They bonked the "win at all costs" mindset that persists at way too many Athletic Departments in the NCAA. Bobby lied, tried to cover up the lie and made an inappropriate hire and had an inappropriate affair with "the girl in the athletic department in volleyball shorts" Jessica Dorrell. Mention was also made that Petrino gave the ex-Arkansas volleyball player $20,000 large in cash. 


That's some pretty expensive "whoopee", son.


So, what now, Bobby Petrino? We're no life coaches here at CARDINAL COUPLE...but one would think that getting one's personal and family house in order would be job #1 for B.P. If that's even possible. 

Tell your story walking, pal.

We figure he'll eventually hit the job market again. And, there will be someone out there willing to take a chance on the inglorious philanderer...because he is a brilliant offensive football  strategist. Maybe we'll see a role reversal again. Bobby was John L. Smith's offensive coordinator at Louisville. Bobby hired John L. Smith at Arkansas. Now that John is head coach at Weber State, would the possibility exist that he bring Bobby on board and staff? 

With the firing, Bobby now has plenty of time
to "head out on the highway, looking for
adventure."

Stranger things have happened. 


WE hope that Petrino can get his deck of cards in order. WE hope that going from king to joker finally shows him that honesty, integrity and respect still have a viable place in today's society. But, in his case, we're not betting on it...


Can old dogs learn new tricks?

We applaud Arkansas for doing the right thing. WE realize that there are tons of disappointed Hog fans this morning. You have a right to be, but the reason you should be is that you got 'played' by your former head coach and it caught up with him.


For Bobby's response, click the link below...courtesy of Mike Rutherford over at Card Chronicle.


Bobby's farewell address


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How about the UofL baseball team? Taking the road-show to Lexington last night and thumping #1 UK 12-0!  It was even worth turning off NCIS to watch...


We like Charlie Springer's take on the massive Cardinal win and you can view the "observer's" words at the link below.


UofL 12 - UK 0

Louisville is extremely fortunate to have such "diamond skippers" as Dan McDonnell and Sandy Pearsall. Two people of integrity, committed and dedicated to their players and both with a great sense of humor. 


Show your thankfulness for having these two here at UofL and get out and watch a few games at Ulmer and Patterson. Free admission and big fun. 


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The NCAA may have a few more questions for Baylor head womens' basketball coach Kim Mulkey. Thanks to the several CARDINAL COUPLE readers who mentioned or sent the link. 


The implications aren't "death penalty" serious but could open a big can of Beef-a-Roni that the NCAA may not have the appetite to finish. 


Baylor, Mulkey may have some explaining to do, Lucy.

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Finally, Michelle Clark-Heard has made an assistant coach hire down at WKU. She brings Margaret Richards aboard. The former Louisville and Weber State staffer and Michelle go way back. Once again, thanks to our eagle-eye CARDINAL COUPLE readers for the find. Linkie below.


Clark-Heard hires Richards as assistant at WKU

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