SB swept by #16 VT -- #7 seed WBB Dancing with #10 Nebraska Friday -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Morning yall,

Daryl checking in here to start the week with you.  

I think a March Madness Monday hits different than just any ole Monday.   Plus temperatures are going back up and that means catching some softball games after work :D

Happy St. Patricks Day to all those who celebrate.  Cheers!

Softball 

Louisville 5 - Virginia Tech 12 

Photo: Jared Anderson

The Hokies took care of business on Sunday afternoon, sweeping the Cards for a third time in a row in the series.  In fact, Louisville has not been able to secure a win over Virginia Tech since 2021 when they went 1-2 in the series.  

UofL moves to 17-10 on the season, 2-4 in the ACC.  

Brooke Gray (4-4) is credited with the loss for UofL.  She was pulled from the circle quickly after giving up a homerun each to the first two batters.   

Photo: Jared Anderson

VT looked like they were going to quickly run rule, getting out to a 6-0 lead before Louisville was able to plate two runners in the bottom of the third.   

The Cardinals gave up 17 hits and 12 runs in the match. On the opposite side of the ball, the offense scored 5 runs on 7 hits. Ally Alexander and Maddi Grant both went 2-for-2 with two hits, and Camryn Lookadoo recorded two RBIs and a double.   A homer from Bri Despines in the final frame would not be enough for the Cards to come back.

Photo: Jared Anderson

Next up, the Cardinals are looking to get back in the win column when they head to Highland Heights, KY on Tuesday, March 18 to face Northern Kentucky first pitch scheduled for 4:30 PM.

WBB Bracketology

Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal 2024 Selection Show Watch Party

Louisville drew the #7 Seed and have a match set up with the #10 seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday 3/21 in Fort Worth, TX.  

Some early thoughts and scouting on Nebraska. 

Overall the Cornhuskers went 21-11, they went 10-8 in the Big Ten. They played UCLA twice losing 54-91 on 12/29 when they Bruins were ranked #1 and then again in the Big Ten tournament 74-85.  They beat Rutgers and Illinois on their way to the rematch with the Bruins.  

The first UCLA matchup between these two was sandwiched between a game with #17 Georgia Tech and followed up by a meeting with #4 USC while they were in the LA area.   They went 0-3 in that series of ranked matchups. 

Region 1

Overall #1 Seed - UCLA Bruins.  

Note: Cardinals played UCLA in the first game of the season where they fell 66-59 to the then #5 Bruins.  Jayda Curry did not play in that game.  

Region 2

#1 Seed - South Carolina 

Region 3 

#1 Seed - Texas

• Louisville gets the #7 seed vs #10 Nebraska 

Photo: Jared Anderson

• I knew as soon as they put TCU in the #2 seed spot that UofL was going to land the #7 seed in that region.  The committee can be so predictable these days. 

Region 4

#1 Seed - USC

• UK drew a #4 seed vs the #13 Liberty so they get to play at home
• California vs Mississippi St will be a great matchup 

****Dont forget we will be having the annual Cardinal Couple NCAA women's tournament Pick 'em.  Case will serve as bracket manager this year.  Make sure you have a final total score for the final game in your entries to break ties.  All entries MUST be listed in the comments section and dont forget the first four games in your picks****

$25 gift cards to Cracker Barrel and First Watch to first and second, winner gets to choose. 

2025 WBB Printable Bracket

Me in 2017 covering the WBB Cards vs Baylor in OKC






As Always,
Go Cards
~Daryl