Softbal Cards Look to ACC Tournament -- Derby 151 -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 10th PLACE ACC FINISH HAS CARDS PLAYING WEDS. IN ACC TOURNAMENT

With the ACC Softball regular Season over, the teams that qualified for the ACC Tournament now focus their eyes on Boston for the 2025 ACC Tournament.

The Cards are "in" with their 10th place finish in conference and will face #7 place finisher Virginia on Wednesday in Game 3 at 5:00 PM

The Cards and Cavs played three  times in the regular season, at Virginia, and the squads split the series 1-1..Louisville winning 6-5 and losing 0-6 and 3-8...the games were in Charlottesville, where UVA is located.  

The Cards finished the season 26-24 but were a sub-.500 9-15 in conference play. Louisville didn't finish the regular season all that well, going 4-6 in their last 10 games. 

Louisville pitching primarily used three hurlers...Alyssa Zabala, Brooke Gray and Sam Booe. Zabala was 10-10 on the season, Gray ended 9-9 on the season and Booe went 4-3. Holly Aprile had seven pitchers on the roster and all seven appeared in games. 

At the plate, the softball Cards were led by Char Lorenz and Easton Lotus. Lorenz hit .368 and Lotus batted .365. Lorenz led the way with nine home runs, and Bri Despines followed with seven four baggers.  Lorenz was the clear leader in RBI's with 53 and Madison Pickens led the team in strike outs with 36. In the base on balls category, Ally Alexander led the way there with 24. 

We wish the Cards the best of luck in the "second season" and hope they can do well enough to get into the NCAA Tournament. We'll have more coverage on the Tournament the closer we get to it

SOVEREIGNTY TAKES THE DERBY

Well, my Derby picks ran second in Journalism and fourth in Final Gambit but couldn't catch the winner,..Sovereignty in the stretch in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. Although I did not originally pick the horse, I started looking at his Kentucky track record, especially at Churchill, and..since I was up a bit on the day's wagering, I bet him also. I have been  a fan of jockey Junior Alvarado for awhile, and took a hunch. 

The final time was 2:02.31. As the field entered the final stretch, Sovereignty and Journalism battled nose-to-nose, with Sovereignty, positioned on the outside, pulling ahead by 1 ½ lengths to secure the win. Baeza, a late entry, closed strongly to take third. 

It was a sloppy mess at Churchill, and I'd like to see Sovereignty and Journalism hook up on a dry track at the Preakness in two weeks

Who finished last? There is actually a betting pool for that as well, believe it or not. This year's last place finisher Admire Daytona, one of the Japanese entries. 

paulie

WKU Shuts Out Cards Softball at Ulmer 2-0 -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 TOPS DOWN CARDS 2-0

Sometimes, when the Louisville Softball teams bats are in hibernation, even the mid-majors can come in to Ulmer and beat the home squad with a minimal effort. And, that's what happened Tuesday afternoon at the corner of Floyd and Lee on the south side of the UofL campus. The Cards could only muster singles from Easton Lotus and Ally Alexander against the Hilltoppers Erika Hogue (8-9) in the 2-0 Louisville loss.. 

Cards starter Alyssa Zabala faced only four batters and 2/3rd of an inning before leaving the contest limping noticeably. No disclosure on what happened to Zabala at the time of this writing. Brooke Gray followed in the circle and took the Cards loss, going 4.1 innings and allowing both runs. Gray is now 8-8 on the season. Sam Booe finished the circle duties for the Cards...turning in 2 innings of shutout pitching. 

WKU scored their first run in the top of the third. With the bases ;loaded, Macie Gregor drove in Macy Master, Gay was able to prevent any further damage, but the Tops added a run in the top of the fourth when Annie White hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Kendle White. 

The WKU win evened the 2025 series at 1-1, the Cards won in Bowling Green a month ago 3-2. 

With the loss, the Cards go to 23-21 on the season. 

The Cards welcome in FSU next to Ulmer for a three game series that starts Friday. The Noles are coming in to Louisville after a weekend series against Ga. Tech was cancelled because of the active shooter situation on the Noles campus several days ago. FSU comes in #3 in DI and sits at 40-6, on a six game win streak. 

(Jared Anderson photos)

pauiie

A Tough Day on Floyd Street - Sunday Cardinal Couple

(photos from Jared Anderson)

Softball Drops a Game to Notre Dame

At a season record of 10-11 going into yesterday's game, including Friday's loss to the Cards, Notre Dame's record, compared to Louisville's 15-6, would make you think that the Cards should be able to be the Irish without a huge degree of difficulty. Honestly, you're probably right, Louisville should be able to beat Notre Dame fairly reliably, but in softball, it's not uncommon for what is clearly an inferior team to step up and win a game as ND did yesterday, 3-2.  This is one of the reasons that series against tea

Easton Lotus rounds second base

ms are popular in the diamond sports, winning one game can be a fluke occurrence, winning a three game series is a bit more difficult.

Now, please don't take this as disrespect to the Notre Dame team, they're good...not great, but good.  And they played well yesterday, keeping the Cards offense at bay, and they deserved the win they got and have every right to celebrate it.  The Cards, however, will be looking to get back on the win side today, and win the series with the game at noon.

Much like Friday, the Cards started with Alyssa Zabala in the circle, and brought Sam Booe in for relief, though Zabala did go for four and two thirds innings, compared to Friday's shorter appearance. Will today see a change up in the circle?  Perhaps, as it can be useful to throw a different pitcher at a team after they've seen one (or two) for a while, like two games.  However, Zabala and Booe do make a pretty darn good one-two punch, so I also wouldn't be shocked to see round three of the pair.

Louisville got all of their scoring done before Notre Dame got any of their offense unlimbered.  The Cards started out in the first inning with the lead-off batter, Easton Lotus getting a single.  A Chelsea Mack bunt on the second pitch of the at-bat moved her forward before she got a chance to steal. A big Char Lorenz double out to right field scored Lotus.

Char Lorenz makes another out in
left field

Fast forward to the fourth inning and the score is still 1-0. Two big contacts got the second, and final, score for the Cards. Bri Despines smacked a double out to left field, and scored on a Maddi Grant single to right.

Unfortunately, that would be it for Louisville, Notre Dame would score a run in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to get the 3-2 win.

The eye test, in addition to the season records, would suggest that Louisville should've won this game.  They play cleaner and with fewer mistakes on defense.  They have incredible base running, and do tend to get runners on base, but yesterday, Notre Dame just did the specific right things to get the win.  Maybe they got used to Zabala and Booe's pitching just enough to get just enough offense going (including a home run) to get across the line.  Louisville offense definitely wasn't able to get in gear, maybe Notre Dame's pitcher yesterday (Kami Kamzik) just had Louisville's number from in the circle?  Certainly the offensive effort by the Cards was significantly blunted, which can frequently result from good pitching.

In any case, Louisville will get the chance to win the rubber match today, starting at noon, and as always, you can catch the stream on the ACC Network Extra.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse, now getting into the meat of the ACC season, also went down to defeat yesterday at the hands of Virginia Tech, 16-7.  The Hokies find themselves in the upper part of the ACC standings at 2-1 in conference, certainly nothing to sneeze at in this tough conference.

J Pleck was in goal for the Cards for the duration of this one, collecting nine saves, which is even with the VT goalie, but with a 37-25 shot advantage, 25-16 for shots on goal, you either need a superhuman goalkeeper, more defense, which is a hard ask for an already pretty good defending Louisville team, or just generate more offense to counteract.

Negai Nakazawa on the give and go

Louisville did replace the first zero on the scoreboard about five minutes into the first quarter thanks to Lauren Figas, assisted by Negai Nakazawa. VT would put three in the Cards' net before the quarter was out, however.

VT would continue that run with a pair of goals in the opening five minutes of the second quarter, stretching the lead to 5-1.  Reese Whiteman stopped the slide about halfway through the quarter, VT would answer, and then Negai Nakazawa found the goal with about two minutes in the half left. Figas would narrow the gap even further with 35 seconds showing on the scoreboard, making the halftime score 6-4.

Lauren Figas curls looking for a score

Nakazawa got the lead down to just one goal in the opening minute of the third quarter, but ultimately the quarter would be a draw. VT answer Negai, and Rian Adkins got it back to just a one goal lead, again as 6:30 showed on the clock.  40 seconds later, Figas tied the game at 7-7.  VT would score the final two scores of the third quarter to bring the lead back to two at 9-7.

Alas, VT would close out the game extending that run out to 9-0. Yes, that's correct, the Cards did not score at all in the fourth quarter, as VT found the goal seven times. That's not a pleasant ending to a game...well, I guess it is if you're a VT fan.

The Cards get a full week to lick their wounds, and hopefully let them heal, because I fear some more are on the way as the Cards travel to New England to play undefeated Boston College on their home turf.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

All five of the CC crew made the CCRHP recording call yesterday, although Jared did need to make an early exit in order to make it downtown (at least there was some Cardinal joy and excitement down there, even if it wasn't for women's sports) for the men's basketball game and senior day festivities.

As you would expect, basketball, softball, and lacrosse were on the agenda with no inkling of the somber day that was ahead of us with on Floyd Street.

Check it out:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cardinal-couple/episodes/Softball-Wins-WBB-Ends-ACC-Tourney-Run-e2vsr08

Softball Cards split on Sunday -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CARDS DEFEAT F.A.U. BUT GET POUNDED BY PURDUE

A tale of two games on Sunday in 85 degree Boca Raton (doesn't that temperature sound wonderful today, Louisvillians? ) 

The Cards ran into a Purdue squad in the first game of the day...the Boilermakers decided to exercise their bats against Brooke Gray and two other Cards pitchers.  Refusing to pay the ridiculous prices the FloSoftball bandits wanted to see the contests, i followed on StatBroadcast and watched in dismay as the Boilermakers unloaded on the Cards circle starter in the first inning with three runs.

Gray would survive that and get two outs in the second inning before the Cards decided to go with Sam Booe, ...but Purdue scored four more runs and four hits in the the top of the fourth to take a commanding 7-2 lead. 

Louisville's two runs (to that point of the contest) came when Maddi Grant singled home Madison Pickens in the second, and Ally Alexander scored on a sacrifice fly in the third. 

it was the seventh inning before the teams scored again. Purdue put up their final two runs on a passed ball and a single with runners on second and third. Louisville would add just a ru in the bottom of the seventh...Alexander scoring on a wild throw to second after a Bri Despains single. 

In the second game, against host FAU, FAU and tournament organizers decided to open the viewing up where the common fan could watch without having to dig into their pocketbook.

 Alyssa Zabala, the ace on the Louisville pitching staff, took the circle and delivered a shutout...yes, FAU piled up 11 hits, but they did not push a runner across the plate, (and that's pretty much the name of the game...scoring). 

The Cards got their first two runs in the second inning....Pickens scoring on a sacrifice fly and freshman Taylor Monroe came home on a fellow freshman...Jordan Williams.... single. 

Louisville would add a third run in the top of the third when Easton Lotus scored on a sacrifice geound out from DeSpines. 

The Cards final run came in the fifth when Alexander came home on a DeSpines single. 

Louisville faces USF next, in Tampa, on Feb 19th

 

WSOC falls to #6 Stanford in final seconds -- VB vs WF -- FH vs Duke -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Hello readers and welcome to the weekend.  As I was preparing this morning's write up last night during the soccer match, I was getting excited to report that the Cardinals were about to draw in a nationally ranked match until they didnt do that... in a shocking fashion, UofL dropped to the #6 Stanford Cardinal in the final 3 seconds of the match.  

Soccer

Photos: Jared Anderson

Cards 0 - Cardinal 1

The WSoc program dropped another match this one, in stunning fashion as UofL allowed the only goal of the match in the final 3 seconds just as we at Cardinal Couple were about to let out a sigh of relief.   Those with eyes on the game report that the Cards may have been looking for some call from the officials which led to a lapse on defense and allowed the Cardinal to get ahead and challenge Erynn Floyd 1 on 1.  

The Cards outshot Stanford 3-2 in the first half before the visitors put in some fresh legs at the end of the match to get off to the races for the winning score.  Lumi Kostmayer scored the lone goal in just 8 minutes on the pitch.   The Cards finished with just 5 shot attempts with one on goal.   

I'm sure that was a not so fun chat in the locker room following this missed opportunity.   There's just not a whole lot to say following a loss like that one.  

Volleyball

Photos: Jared Anderson 

The #4 ranked volleyball team will welcome Wake Forest to L&N Arena this weekend for a 7p.m. first serve.  

The Deacon Demons are 10-7 and 2-4 in the ACC, with the Louisville leading the series 15-2, one of those losses coming in the last meeting 2-3.

Wake Forest has four individuals holding spots in the ACC top-10 categories:   Tina Grkovic – 7th in blocks (1.27/set)  Dior Charles – 9th in blocks (1.21/set)   Paige Crawford – 9th in service aces (27 total)  Emma Farrell – 9th in digs (3.70/set)




Field hockey

Photos: Jared Anderson 

UofL will honor the 2024 seniors following Friday's 3 p.m. game against #11 Duke. That class includes Filippa Niebuhr and Caroline Pusey along with fifth-year seniors Mia Duchars, Brandelynn Heinbaugh and Aimee Plumb. 

Louisville enters the weekend with a 5-9 record and a 1-5 mark in ACC play, good for seventh in league standings. Duke leads the all time series 14-9.

The cards fell to the Blue Devils November 1, 2023 - Duke won 1-0 in the semifinals of the ACC Championship. The Blue Devils also won last year's regular season meeting 2-1 in Durham. 

#11 Duke enters the weekend with an 8-4 record, tied for third in the ACC with a 4-1 mark in league play. The Blue Devils are currently on a four-game win streak - all shutouts.

Goalkeeper Frederique Wollaert leads the NCAA with a 0.35 goals against average while Alaina McVeigh paces the team with eight goals and has dished out one assist for 17 points.

Softball Fall Ball 

Final UofL  0  UK   6 

Just reporting the score at this time.. the programs usually do not record much from exhibition games and it looks like something we dont wanna hear much about anyways, lets just hope the Cards had some lessons to learn from this one and look ahead towards a successful spring matchup with the Cats.   

As Always, 

Go Cards!

~Daryl 

Cardinals Softball Camp Registration Open -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CAMP SET FOR JULY 17th

UofL Softball will be holding a one-day camp for softball players that are due to graduate from high school in the years 2025-28 on July 17th at Ulmer Stadium on the Don Dobna Field, The Wedneday camp with run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be held in two divisions -- pitcher portion will begin at noon and run to 3 p.m.

The camp will be run by UofL staff, cooaches and player on the squad.  The camp is designed to help players work on their skills, metrics and a look on what it takes to be a competitive player in the ACC, 

After a morning skills session the players will break for lunch and then live competition until 3 p.m. . Players will be evaluated at their primary playing postition and also on their batting skills. 

To get more information on the camp and registration please go to the following website: 

   https://louisvillesoftballcamps.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT

There is information at the website about other Cardinals softball camp, including a Lil' Cards camp on Friday, July 24th.

Louisville's camps for up and comng players are excellent opportunites for them to learn the skills and get tips from the players and coaches involved in DI NCAA Softball and also fun for the participants. 

paulie

Cardinal Uniform Pick'ms -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Hello Cardinal fans 

Daryl again on a Thursday morning.   I think Jared and Paulie have been working on sharing some new content for us which I believe they will share Friday and I'm looking forward to that...so I gladly traded writing days with Jared.    

Looking ahead towards summer months... I was chatting with a coworker earlier this week about some of my favorite uniforms we've seen out of each program over the years so I thought it would be fun to pick some out and also an opportunity to share some of the images captured by our own Jared Anderson over the last school year.  

In alphabetical order...  first up, 

Field Hockey

The pinks!!!  

These uniforms really stand out to me because of the pink accents on the black base of the uniforms.  I don't think we have another program that does the pink out game quite like hockey!

Lacrosse 

   The classic whites with red accents!   

My favorite part of these uniforms is the solid red stripe on the bottoms.   Its a small touch but I think it really stands out and gives the uniforms that extra pop of red it needs.  

Softball

The mix-n-match!!!                             Softball has a unique ability to be able to mix and match the pieces of the uniforms and still be able to pull it off.  I do really like the white top and black bottoms with the classic horizontally striped socks.  

Volleyball

                                                                                                                   

The red back!!!                               This is a unique look for the volleyball program and I really love the cursive script.  Red is the dominant color but the white block on the front of the uniform really make these stand out among the others. 

 

  

Women's Basketball

                                                                  ALL WHITES!!!                                                                                          When it comes to basketball, I love the classics.   I want the all white uniforms with red lettering and that classic Louisville script.   Nothing else compares.   Nothing.  The wing on the leg was added more recently I believe and it was a welcome addition.  I think its a cool feature for a Cardinal look.  

Women's Soccer

The reds!!!!!                                                                                                        The soccer program has the ability to put some of the best Cardinal uniforms (kits) out there.  The 'notebook' style top is probably my favorite look from recently.  The thick solid black stripe down the leg also makes a great accent for pictures too and makes the Cardinal athletes look like they're actually flying.  Clever. 

I hope everyone is enjoying getting ready for the summer months!   Ill be 33 the next time I check in with ya!!!   EEEK!!! 

A special "Thanks" to Jared for the extensive, and excellent work he puts in for the site with his photography and game atendance work.  Believe it or not, he does have a full time job in addition to all the photo-taking he does for the site and he even dabbles in taking pictures of men's sports. A busy guy,

As Always,

Go Cards 

~Daryl 

Clemson takes series against Louisville Softball with Sunday Win -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 TIGERS ROAR IN SUNDAY SERIES FINALE 11-5

Not a lot to smile about in the Sunday series finale with Clemson at Ulmer Stadiun if you are a Cards fan..., except for the nice, sunny weather and clear skies. Louisville Softball saw the Clemson bats finally awaken and they took it out on Louisville pitching with 11 runs and 11 hits in the 11-5 win. 

The action did't get started until the second inning, after a scorless fiirst inning. .Clemson used a walk and a single to plate a run on the Cards, all,with two outs already recorded in the inning.. Meanwhile ,in the home half of the inning, UofL was retired 1-2-3 for the second time in a row

It looked like the Cards might escape the top of the third without any serious damage, recording two outs iand allowing the Tigers just a single, but Clemson responded with  four more hits... and a Cards fielding error allowed the visitors to put up four runs and grab a 5-0 lead. They were able to chase Cards starter Alyssa Zabala from the circle. and Gabby Holloway was broight into the circle to finally stop the Tigers attack. 

Louisville got a run back in the bottom of the third on a Clemson error and Cardinals single, but UofL only managed one hit on Clemson starter Reagan Spencer. It was 5-1 and the Cards needed to put on a hitting show like they did on Saurday, But, neither team could plate a run in the fourth or fifth innngs...the Cards leaving two on base in the bottom of the fifth.. 

Both teams exploded in the sixth. Clemson used three hits and a three-run home run to add six more runs and threaten Louisville with a run rule end to the game, Sam Booe was the unfortunae victim in the circle to receive the Clemson hitting attack. Louisville did respond with four runs in the home half of the inning to make it 11-5, but that effectively ended the scoring for each team 

A tough loss in front off a huge Cards crowd to lose the series 1-2 to Clemson.and drop the Cards overall record to 26-23.

Louisville returns to action Derby weekend with three up at Boston College to end the regular season..The ACC Softball Tournament  begins May 8th.  

PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON

paulie

.   

Louisville Fined, Reprimanded by ACC -- Softball run rules FIU -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 WALZ'S REMARKS DRAW ACC FINE, REPRIMAND

The ACC has fined the University of Louisville $20,000 in an institutional fine and also issued a public reprimand for Jeff Walz's remarks following the Sunday loss to Syracuse at Syracuse. 

Walz was critical of the intentional foul called on Olivia Cochran as time ran out in the contest and Louisville held a one-point lead. The foul gave Syracuse's Dyaisha Fair two free throws, which she made, to give Syracuse the lead and win over the Cardinals WBB squad. The referee crew that made the game changing call did something you usually don't see in close games late in the action. Instead of just giving the 'Cuse the ball out of bounds again, they really overjudged the infraction and changed the course of the outcome. 

I have been asked why did Louisville foul there with the lead, and, although the decision has been upheld in a lot of circles, I have to ask..."why put the outcome in the hands of an officiting call? Especially when you have the lead?"  I choose maybe the lesser of two options there, in my mindset and thinking...why foul when you have the lead and don't need the ball back. 

In any event,.. Walz commented, the ACC didn't like what he had to say and slapped the Cards twice. They fell back on the rules interpretation of the Sportsmanship Policy that says:

"Public criticism of officials or public comments evaluating the officiating of particular contests is not in the best of intercolligiate athletics. Individuals associaated with the athletics program, therefore, are prohibited from commenting while acting in an official capacity on officiating of the than directly to the Conference office."

After all the chatter and debate over the game changing call, the fact still remains that the winning outcome goes to a team that had appeared to lose, but got a second chance from a crew that made a call you don't usually see in a situation like this. It speaks volumes about the inconsistancy and subpar efforts of referees in the ACC this year. Will the call affect the annual ACC Conference seedings, or who will win the regular season ACC WBB Titile?  No, probably not...but if Louisville comes in second in the league by a game, it will surely be bantied about again. Currently, Louisville (9-3) is a game and a half behind Virginia Tech (11-2) in the conference standings and a half game behind Syracuse. Teams play 18 league games this season before the tournament. If Syracuse wns the league, look back to this incident. 

That $20,000 could have bought a lot of lacrosse gear. 

What can be done to improve the officiting in women's college basketball. Some will tell you it isn't broken and doesn't need fixing. Many will look at this gaffe by a crew in a game between two "top 3" teams in the conference and shake their heads in disbelief...expectng better. Others may point to Louisville losing a nine-point lead in the quarter as a key in the Cards loss. The point is, it's a shame and disgrace for a highly-charged, competitive game like this one was to have the possible decision altered by a call you rarely see in this situation and by a substandard officiating crew.. 

Finally, I have been asked if Walz should have made remarks that drew the fine and reprimand. My take? Hell, yes. Sure, Olivia fouled. But, Fair was nowhere naar the basket and Cochran's foul wasn't a brutal, intentional knock-down, just an arm hold. The girl wasn't even shooting. Got to let that one, go... officials, not toss an intentional at her.  If those refs had heard me after the call, they would have probably banned me for life from ACC WBB games. 

I guess the bottom line is still..."those who score more, win". How the points end up that way will be the argung point here for quite a while, is my guess, in this situation. Yes, the free throws still had to be made.Should they have ever been awarded? I say no.

The big problen here is how do you come up with officiating in WBB that isn't drawing so many complaints and criticisms? The game needs officials, no doubt. But, the travel is long and maybe not the best paying gig for those who are entrusted with the whistles. Other ACC coaches have had complaints about the refs recently, too, but the ACC officials chose not to go after them . Olivia is the victim here. She was just doing whaat her coach told her to do, and 99% of the time, a regular foul is called and Syracuse is given the ball out of boundss to try again. But...this WAS in Syracuse. I'll leave it there. . . 

We welcome your siggestions on how to get good WBB officials in the ACC, or in all of collegiate women's basketball. Leave a comment,

SOFTBALL SLAMS FIU 11-2

Zabala!

Louisville Softball's win streak goes to six games to start the season and mastery in Florida remains unblemshed as well. 

On Tuesday, the Softball Cards popped out to a 4-0 first inning led over FRIU and added six more runs in the fourth nning to gett the rule-run "W" in Miami. 

A Bailee Richardsn first inning double scored Chelsea Mack and a three RBI home run from first baseman Riley Frizell gave UofL a 4-0 lead that they never relinquished. 

(Lovely Daisy...)

The Cards added six runs in the fourth inning on  four FIU erors and were aided by a huge double from catcher Kiley Goff. The scoring was completed when shortstop Daisy Hess doubled home Ally Alexander in the top of the fifth. 

Alyssa Zabala (3-0) gets the win in the circle, allowing two runs on three hits in four innings. Sam Booe pitched a scoreless inning to close out the win. 

The Cardinals will continue their road stretch on Thursday at 6 p.m. when they take on host FAU in the opening game of the Joan Joyce Classic 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Have a great Valentines Day readers, if you have that someone special that may surprise you or you are surprisng and/or honoring them. And, Cupid is out there...be careful, you unattached or unclaimed.....

paulie

Softball Loses Epic Battle - Sunday Cardinal Couple

Softball Loses Longest Game in ACC This Season

It was an epic battle in Tallahassee, with Florida State eventually getting the walk-off two run home-run in the bottom of the 11th inning.  The 6-4 win was the longest game in the ACC this season.

The Cards took control of the game early, but the Seminoles would slowly claw it back to even.  The team would then grind out four scoreless innings before FSU second baseman Devyn Flaherty would connect off of Taylor Roby to lift the ball out over the center field fence.

Korbe Otis got the offense started with a single, and as is typical for this team, stole second.  Easton Lotus followed up with a single over her own, putting runners on the corners.  Lotus' attempt to steal second didn't go quite so well, with the throw getting to second well before her, enough that she stopped, and got caught in a pickle.  While FSU was working on that pickle, however, Otis stole home from third.  Lotus was eventually tagged out.

A pair crossed the plate in the second, with Hannah File, and Ally Alexander both getting on safely.  They both moved up a base, putting both in scoring position, thanks to a wild pitch.  A pinch hit single by Maddi Grant, hitting for Paige Geraghty, scored both File and Alexander to get the Cards a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The Cards would get their last run in the 3rd inning.  And, well, Taylor Roby was due, and she ripped a solo shot out to center field to wrap up the scoring for UofL with a 4-0 lead.

Unfortunately, it would turn out that there were eight more innings to play.  FSU would get one of those runs back in the bottom of the 3rd, and would get the game back to a tie with a three run sixth inning.  Both teams would fight back and forth for the next four innings, getting well into bonus softball, without getting anything across, when Flaherty decided enough was enough.

The two teams will finish the series, and the regular season with a noon game today.  Will it prove to be another 4-6 FSU victory?  Or will UofL continue to strengthen the push against the number 3 team in the country and break through with a victory today?

No Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

The CCRHP crew all enjoyed their various Derby Day celebrations.  As Derby Day preparations can start early, that does mean that this is one of weeks that we routinely skip the CCRHP.  It's just a bit much to do that and then have everyone make it to their various Derby Day parties and events.

We'll be back next week with coverage of the ACC Softball Tournament, and more.

-- JMcA