Do or Die for Softball -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards on Life Support Entering Final Week of Regular Season

Paulie broke down what was another loss for Louisville softball in Monday's column, something that has been an unfortunate topic for the last few weeks. After a 13-2 start to the season, the Cards have gone 13-21 since then. At 26-23, Louisville is most certainly not going to make the NCAA Tournament. unless they win the ACC Tournament, and that is contingent on whether they get in the conference get-together in  Durham later this week. 

ACC play has been brutal for the Cards. Games against #5 Duke, #15 Virginia Tech, #16 Florida State, and #21 Clemson have been rough.  Louisville went 3-9 in those match-ups. Six of those losses came by two runs or less or went to extra innings. Overall, Louisville is 10-12 in games that are decided by two runs or less or go to extra innings. Win those close games and you're 38-11 and in prime shape for postseason play and even a Top 25 ranking.

Following last weekend's events, the Cards sit at 7-14 in conference play. This mark puts them in a three-way tie for ninth with Syracuse and Boston College. The Cards and Orange did not play this season but we will see a UofL vs BC match-up this coming weekend.

So, what's at stake? A chance to play in the ACC Tournament. Two or more wins locks in a conference tournament berth while two or more losses puts things in jeopardy. Syracuse plays Florida State so best case scenario ends with the Seminoles sweeping the Orange.

If Louisville loses the series to Boston College and Syracuse wins enough games to finish ahead of Louisville then we will see the Cards finish 11th (or 12th depending on how Pitt does) and not make the ACC Tournament, effectively ending the season.

Louisville could also sweep Boston College and jump up to eighth place, a game ahead of Notre Dame, who has concluded the regular season a week early. But most importantly, the Cards just need to find a way to beat out at least Syracuse or Boston College. A trip to the ACC Tournament at least gives Louisville a chance to win the tournament and earn an automatic trip to the NCAA Tournament. With how many times the Cards have been in a close battle with top teams, it's not impossible to see them make a run. 

We will preview the series at it gets closer.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared