Softball falls to FSU 4-3 but gets #2 seed in ACC Tourney...Lacrosse makes NCAA Tournament -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL ROBBED IN TALLAHASSEE

Louisville Softball took a 4-3 regular season loss to the 'Noles on Sunday but weren't totally responsible for the loss. A horrific umpiring call at a key junction of the game contributed to it. Yes, they didn't score the most runs...but FSU was basically given the deciding tally. 

In a game that had been see-saw score-wise, Louisville found themselves ahead 3-2 going into the bottom of the fifth over Florida State. Jessica Warren and Alex Powers reached on base hits for the Seminoles. A single to center field by Sydney Brodrick was fielded cleanly by Nicole Pufahl. Warren would score easily but Pufahl's throw to catcher Jenna Jordan at home was clearly in time to get Powers out at the plate. 

The ESPN3 announcers called her out. I was watching on ESPN3 with Sonja and we both saw she was out. The multiple replays showed Powers out. 

The home plate umpire called her safe. 

The call gave FSU a 4-3 lead instead of a 3-3 tie and, eventually, the game...since the Cards could not produce another run in the top of the sixth...with runners at the corners...or seventh. 

Maryssa Becker started and Megan Hensley finished in the circle for the Cards. Hailey Smith, Jenna Jordan, Brittany Sims and Morgan Meyer all had two hits for Louisville.

Losing to #5 in the nation is no disgrace. Losing on a blown call is a travesty. On a televised game like that, I'd like to see a booth-review rule established for college softball. Interpretation replacing reality has no place in the outcome of an event. 


CARDS GET #2 SEED IN ACC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Despite the loss, the Cards were able to hang on by a few percentage points and clinch second place in the final ACC regular season standings. The ACC Tournament takes the top eight teams in regular season play...so Louisville will get the #2 seed and face #7 Syracuse in Raleigh, NC on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Louisville won two out of the three-game series against the Orange when the two played a couple of weeks ago. 


The entire tournament will be shown on the league's Regional Sports Network and Saturday's title game on ESPN .


Matchups:

#1 FSU v #8 Pitt
#2 Louisville v #7 Syracuse
#3 Notre Dame v #6 Virginia
#4 Boston College v #5 North Carolina 

North Carolina State, who is the host school for this year's tournament, did not qualify.

LACROSSE TO FACE NORTHWESTERN IN FIRST ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT

Louisville Lacrosse made the 26 team field (as we expected they would) for the NCAA Tournament as an at-large selection and will face Northwestern in first round action at South Bend. The winner will move on to face Notre Dame. 

If it seemed like Bill Murray's Groundhog Day...it is because the Cards have faced the Wildcats the last two years in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and lost both times.

The Cards did face Northwestern during this regular season and defeated them 10-4. They split meetings with the Irish this year, winning in the regular season and losing in the ACC Tournament. 

Seven ACC schools made the field. Maryland goes in as the #1 seed, Florida #2 and North Carolina #3. 

The Cards play May 13th. at a time to be announced later.

paulie
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