Softball wins series finale 2-0 vs #7 FSU -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Good morning,

It was a refreshing weekend of reset for myself around the house as we wrap up the month of April and head into the first weekend of May.  Good news, our plumbing issue was resolved this past week so we can breath again.   

Softball

Cardinals 2 vs FSU 0

Photo: Jared Anderson

Louisville secured a huge shutout victory in the final match of the series with #7 ranked FSU.  Alyssa Zabala (9-9) completed the game giving up just 4 hits and no runs and striking out 2.    Louisville scored 2 runs on 3 hits taking advantage of 2 FSU errors.  The Louisville defense made many game changing catches, especially on the left side of the field in the form of line drives at Alexander and diving catches by Lorenz.  

The squad secured an ego boosting victory over the Seminoles who had prior only lost one ACC matchup.    The win put the Cards over the .500 mark heading into the final weekend on the road.  It was the 4th time the Seminoles had been shut out this season.  

RECAP
1st inning

To start the game, the Cardinals defense held up when a groundout third base to first, a strikeout swinging the threat from a standing double to right center and an 8 pitch at bat results in a groundout to SS to keep the Seminoles from taking advantage early on.

For UofL, Lotus struck out swinging and Lorenz managed a triple thanks to the sun in the face of the right fielder and the Cardinals were pouncing quickly.   Followed by a squeeze bunt by Despines allows a face first slide with an unsuccessful tag at the plate and the batter safe at first.  Lookadoo with a line drive out to center field.  Despines caught stealing to end the inning but Louisville came out making some series moves in the first. 


Cards up 1-0

Photo: Jared Anderson

2nd inning

The Seminoles singled to the left side to put a runner on.  Then FSU beat a double play attempt at both first and second, however, the Cards got a second chance on the next batter up. Nice poke to left but Lorenz made a huge catch to end the scoring threat.  

3 up 3 down by the Cards in the bottom half of the inning. 


3rd inning

A couple of groundouts before FSU stranded another runner in first 3 innings after a line drive goes straight at Lotus at 2nd base.

Cards responded by stranding one on third on a swinging strikeout at the plate.


4th inning

3 up 3 down for Seminoles offense.  

Cards tacked on another run taking advantage of an FSU error.  Both FSU errors on the evening would be committed at 1b.  

Cards up 2-0

Photo: Jared Anderson

5th inning

3 up 3 down for Zabala in back to back innings.  

Louisville would do the same. 


6th inning

A bad catch at first allows Lookadoo to get on but nothing became of it for the Cardinals to tack anything on heading into thee final frame of regulation.  


7th inning

Photo: Jared Anderson

Zabala came back into the circle to finish her night how she started... trusting her defense.  There was a moment where Aprile called a huddle to gather the squad when with 2 out FSU singled to LF and the tying run was at the plate. Fittingly a line drive at Ally Alexander for the second or third time in the game ended the game and a Gatorade celebration ensuesd. 

Postgame

Jared Anderson was out there and talked to a couple players about the big win.  

Despines and Zabala vs FSU postgame 4/27/25

Photo: Jared Anderson

UP NEXT

UofL @ Pittsburgh 

5/1-5/3

Its finals week for students, good luck!!! 

As Always, 
Go Cards

~Daryl