Softball Streak Continues -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Beat GT in Game 1

Louisville softball extended their season-high winning streak to eight games yesterday with a victory over Georgia Tech in the first game of their weekend series. The streak began with a win in the final game of the Clemson series, and last night's win over GT is Louisville's first ACC game since that Clemson win. The victory moved the Cards to 4-3 in conference, so a series win would keep Louisville over .500. A sweep would be even better. 

Alyssa Zabala started the game for the Cards and pitched well to open. Louisville supported her by taking the lead in the second on a Jordan Williams triple and extended that lead in the third with hits from Easton Lotus and Camryn Lookadoo. Lotus, by the way, has moved to the second spot in the lineup. That allows Louisville to take more advantage of Chelsea Mack's speed in the leadoff with Lotus's consistency helping bring her home. Zabala gave up a home run in the top of the fourth, but the Cards still held a 3-1 advantage after being unable to score in the bottom half. 

Zabala opened the fifth inning with a ground out, but then struggled to find the strike zone. She walked the next two batters on full counts, and a single loaded the bases. Anna Wise came in to replace her and things got weird. An infield single scored one run, and everyone advanced an extra base (including another run) on what was scored a fielding error by Bri Despines. A ground out scored a third run and Louisville's lead was gone. Another grounder was scored a fielding error by Lookadoo at first base and another unearned run scored. A fly out mercifully ended the inning, but Louisville's 3-1 lead had turned into a 5-3 deficit. 

Never fear, though, fans: Louisville responded. Riley Janda opened the inning with a walk, and Mack laid down a bunt single before Lotus was hit by a pitch to load the bases. GT made a pitching change, and Bri Despines welcomed the new pitcher by coaxing a four-pitch walk. Lookadoo also walked and the game was tied. A strikeout and a flyout that was too shallow to sacrifice made it look as though Louisville would strand the bases loaded, but Williams came up with her second triple of the game to clear the bases. A grounder ended the inning, but Louisville led 8-5. 

GT put two runners on in the sixth and one in the seventh, but Wise was able to keep any others from crossing the plate so 8-5 was the final score. Louisville and GT will continue the series today in chilly Louisville, with first pitch scheduled for 1PM. Today's game will stream on ACC Network Extra.

Floyd Signs with Racing

A second member of Karen Ferguson-Dayes's final senior class has signed an NWSL contract. After wearing purple for many matches in her University of Louisville career, goalkeeper Erynn Floyd will stick with the color and the city as she signed her first professional contract with Racing Louisville FC. The deal is for the remainder of the 2026 season (which just started) and carries a mutual option for 2027. I'm a bit surprised that Louisville didn't offer a longer deal, or that Floyd didn't sign such a deal elsewhere, but she'll be able to learn a ton behind Jordyn Bloomer, who stands out as one of the top keepers in the league. 

It's a bit of a crowded keeper room in Louisville, with Floyd becoming the fifth on the roster. In addition to Bloomer, she joins Olivia Sekany (Washington 2020), Cristina Roque (FSU 2024), and Maddie Prohaska (Auburn 2025). With a lot of youth (even Bloomer is only 28), there is still a lot of opportunity to find a full-time spot on the roster. This is a great opportunity for Erynn and we wish her the best in the beginning of her career. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case