Louisville Softball Adds Three to Roster -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 TILL, DEWATERS & SITARSKI JOIN HIT AND RUN CARDS

The 2027 Louisville Cardinals Softball squad will have a trio of transfers joining the roster. Coming into join the squad are Abbie DeWaters, Kaidance Till and Mak Sitarski. 

Abbie DeWaters

Abbie DeWaters was a freshman catcher last season at the University of South Florida. She batted .206 in 19 games played for the Bulls. She hails from Tobe Sounds, FL where she played for South Fork High School. 

Dewaters thoughts on becoming a Cards Softballer? 

"After visiting campus and meeting the coaches, I knew Louisville was the right place for me. The culture they have built and the energy around the team made me feel at home and it just seemed like the perfect fit." 

Kaidance Till

Kaidance Till redshirted last season at Ole Miss and hails from Metamora Township High School in Germantown Hills, Illinois. She is an infielder and was on four All Coference squads and NFCA All-American in 2025. 

What she said about joining the Cardinals ranks: 

"From the start, the coaches were amazing I felt very welcomed the moment I stepped on campus. The culture of the team was exactly what I was looking for. The coaching staff is genuinely a dream come true. I'm so thankful for the opportunity the coaches are giving me and the trust they have in me to become a part of their program." 

Mak Sitarski

Mak Sitarski is an outfield who heads to Louisville after a freshman season at Toledo. She is out of Allen Park, Michigan and was a three time All-Michigan selection at Allen Park High School. 

In her lone season with the Ole Miss rebels, she played in 29 games and made 13 starts in left field. 

"I chose Louisville Softball because of the speed of the offense and their unpredictability at the plate. " she said, about transferring to the Cards. "I love the aggressiveness on the basepaths and the overall grit of the team. The coaches made me feel one of the family beginning on Day One."  

L's up and a hearty welcome to the three newest Cardinals. Hit 'em where they ain't and catch everything hit your way!  

paulie

Three Summer Softball camps at UofL remain -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 TWO LIL' CARDS CAMPS AND A MIDDLE SCHOOL CAAREDS WORKOUT AVAILABE

We do normally think of softball as a summer activity for the kids, in various leagues around the city. The universities and colleges are done with their respective seasons and coaches are keeping an eye on young prospects as they compete against others. 

UofL still has three camps available for the grade school and middle school players. They are run by the coaches and some of the players past and present. It's always beneficial, one can imagine, for the younger players to get advice and tips and instruction from those who see the game from the collegiate level 

7/14 -- LIL CARDS SUMMER CAMP THREE

This camp runs Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon and the age group being targeted is from 6-12. During this cap, Louisville softball Players and staff will teach the basic fundamentals of softball, including throwing, catching, fielding, hitting and baserunning. Potentia attendees should be aware of the closing of I-65 and go to WAZE or other apps to find the best route to get to campus from their location. Camp cost: $75.00

7/21 -- LIL CARDS SUMMER CAMP FOUR

This camp follows the same premise as Camp Three and the same age group. The times on this Tuesday are also 9 a.m. - noon and the age group is also 6-12. 

7/20 -- MIDDLE SCHOOL CARDS SUMMER WORKOUT 2

This camp is for Grades 6-8 in high school and also works on the basic fundamentals of the game. The hours are 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The cost is $ 85.00 

For more information on any of these camps , or registration information, go to the link: https://louisvillesoftballcamps.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT

louisvillesoftballcamps.totalcamps.com

Madison Pickens transfers to LSU Softball -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 SOPHOMORE ALL-AMERICAN LEAVES CARDS FOR SEC

Isn't it funny what a couple of days can male? 

I sent Madison Pickens a message a couple of days ago.on Instagram. 

"We sure are glad you came to the Ville." 

Her reply, two hours later:

"I'm thankful I am there too" 

Then, yesterday..we get the news that she is leaving Louisville and headed to LSU. 

Somebody slap me with a (fill in your own noun/s)

As the song goes...famously sung by Dinah Washington....

"24 little hours                                                                                                                                 Brought the sun and the flowers                                                                                                   Where there used to be rain" 

Maybe that is the case for LSU, who ended up getting both the twin sisters...Madison and Mackenzie Pickens. Mackenzie played at Ole Miss, Madison, a Louisville Cardinals star for two years. 

One has to figure there was a ton of NIL floating around down in the bayou to pull off a major recruiting coup like that.  The transfer portal strikes again. 

The Cards lose their best player from last year She batted .457 last year at UofL.

OK, no mystery here.The SEC is better than the ACC. And the chance for the sisters to play together.

And, so it goes..in today's wild kingdom of college sports on steroids

paulie

.  

  

Honors continue for Louisville Softball -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 TRIO OF SOFTBALL CARDS HONORED

Bri Despines was named a 3rd String All-American by the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association), Camryn Lookadoo earned Rawlings/NFPA Gold Glove honors and Chelsea Mack received the New Balance/NFPA Golden Shoe award. 

Hey, all we need is a classy pair of slacks and colorful top and someone is ready for a night out on the town, right?

Despines checks in as the 11th All-American in Louisville Softball history. She joins Taylor Roby, Camryn Greenwood, Katie Keller, Alicia Wolny, Tori Collins, Taner Fowler, Melissa Roth (twice), Kristen Wadwell and Lacy Wood on the list. She batted .402 at the plate, with 66 hits and 70 RBI's. Opponents had to think twice about stealing a base on her, too...she threw out 12 runner trying. 

Lookadoo batted .382 this season with 60 hits and 58 RBI's. A junior out of Georgetown, KY (Great Crossings) and formerly a UK Wildcat was par excellence on the dirt with a .992 field average and only three errors all season. 

Mack has 87 hits and ended up second in the nation with 45 stolen bases. She batted .449 at the plate and joined the Cards when she also transferred from UK after her freshman season.  Out of Brecksville (OH) High School,  She was successful in 81 of her 83 base stealing attempts in 2022. 

Despines and Mack are done with their collegiate playing days, while Lookadoo has one more season. 

(Photos from UofL)

palie

paulie

Zabala Drafted to New Pro League -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Alyssa Zabala Returns Home with Florida Vibe

Alyssa Zabala was a star for Louisville softball, regardless of how the seasons turned out. Smiley, as some often called her due to her constant toothy grin regardless of the situation, was a stalwart starter for the Cards and finished her career with 56 wins and a 3.45 career ERA. She threw 23 complete games, had seven shutouts, and earned 375 strikeouts in 556.1 innings pitched. She was Louisville's ace pretty much from the moment she stepped on campus, and some of her negative numbers were perhaps a product of her being utilized in a way that she wasn't quite fit for. Nevertheless, Alyssa Zabala should be remembered fondly in the annals of Cardinal history. 

Her career isn't over, though. Zabala was drafted by the Florida Vibe, which is one of four inaugural teams in the Professional Softball League. (No one is winning major awards for some of these startup league names, I'll tell you that, but that's beside the point.) The Vibe are joined by the Atlanta Smoke, Kansas City Diamonds, and Florida Breeze as the original full time teams. Since there are two Florida-based teams and the one that drafted Zabala is called Vibe, I'd guess it's safe to say that one is based in Miami, not least because that's where Zabala is originally from. 

The four primary teams will play a full season in 2026, which is the first season of this new league. The teams will play dozens of games in June and July, with a league tournament scheduled for early August. They'll travel throughout Florida and the southeast, along with KC, and one game is even listed with Puerto Rico as the location. The teams will head to a couple of other destinations, though, as there will also be games against some of next season's full-time teams. Already on the docket are the NY Rise and Chattanooga Chill, and there are other teams yet to be announced. 

Professional women's sports are definitely on the rise. With the NBA finally realizing it can make money by boosting the W, and the NWSL drawing more and more eyes, the other sports are starting to catch on as well. Volleyball is seemingly popular enough to maintain competing leagues, and the fact that baseball seems to be having a moment in popularity will surely help the softball scene. We'll see if any other Cardinal names pop up in this new league and let you know. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case

College Softball World Series set -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 WHO'S HEADED TO OKLAHOMA CITY? 

Louisville Softball is long gone in the NCAA Tournament race for the World Series...and now the ACC is eliminated as well. 

Arkansas defeated Duke in regional play to send the last Atlantic Coast Conference school to the side lines The SEC is proving to be the powerhouse conference this year in the regionals...with Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Mississippi St, Tennessee and Texas qualifying for the College World Series...along with UCLA and Texas Tech.

The Alabama squad sent another SEC school in LSU to the sidelines to get to the CWS. UCLA sent University of South Florida home, Nebraska took Oklahoma St. out of the chase and Mississippi St. made their first ever College World Series by knocking off Oklahoma. Tennessee downed Georgia to advance and Texas hit past Arizona St to make the field of eight.  

Texas won it all last year and has to be one of the favorites to repeat. this year. As far as DI rankings go...Nebraska is ranked #1, Alabama in #2, Texas is #3., Arkansas is #5, Texas Tech is #7,  UCLA is #8 and Mississippi St. is #20. The Bulldogs are the darkhorse of the eight, with their shocking elimination of Oklahoma, who was ranked #4.

Lookadoo looking at you.

Louisville ended up ranked #24 and will look to build on a very successful 44-12 season with key returnees. Maybe Camryn Lookadoo summed it up best when she said:

"When you go out there and have fun with your teammates, it easier to perform. It's less pressure and just putting trust in each other is fun."

Sophomore outfield Madison Pickens saw last year as a key to this season. 

"We had our moments where we grew together last year. This year brought us ever closer because we didn't have that many people come in or leave.  We were just able to grow certain things together." 

The WCWS begins May 28th and ends June 5th. Four games Thursday, two Games Friday and Saturday nd Sunday before two on Monday and then the Championship series on Wednesday, Thursday and, if needed on Friday.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day, but also remember the reason for the holiday. They served and gave it all so that we could have this way of life. 

paulie

After the thrill is gone --MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 WITH CARDS SOFTBALL SEASON OVER, WE GO INTO THE VOID FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. 

It was Glenn Frey and Don Henley who wrote the Eagles classic "After The Thrill Is Gone" Although a song about a relationship (or sexual affair) ending...it can easily be about the end of Louisville Softball and Cardinals women's spring sports fading into the hills. 

After TheThrill Is Gone

We will still find things to write about here at Cardinal Couple. We always have... and despite it being just Case and I now. He is a talented and creative writer and I am the old fart that is still doing this. I am no longer allowed to contact or interview Louisville coaches or players...(I envision this "wanted" poster of me hanging in locker rooms and entrances to Cardinals sports venues ) but, we have consistently tried to report on the joy and excitement of UofL women's athletics and remind the new "guard" down there to beware of the old dog on the porch. I do have a following. I know "stuff". 

We'll keep an eye on many things. Transfers and recruiting and prospects. ACC news, too. when it affects what is going on with the Cardinals.

What they fail to realize is that I was there way back in the mid seventies when it was a kinder, gentler and most friendly scenario. The days of the Cards in the Missouri Valley Conference. Before the foibles of internet accounts...and them being hacked and a paranoid staff in Louisville athletics. When you could actually go in and talk to a coach and discuss things that are off-base now. 

I have had some good teachers in journalism and some great writers here. I had a very successful radio show. I've also covered some pretty rough and program changing things. I guess all journalists go through the peaks and valleys of writing. It is encouraging to know that several of the previous coaches still follow me and offer the occasional encouragement or point-of-order corrections, ideas and suggestions. My days of covering events in person are done, and my photographer was bullied into ceasing his relationship with me in order to retain his media pass.  Things aren't always "Brady Bunch" happy and smooth sailing down on Floyd Street, y'all.

But, I am an alumni and continue to cover my school. I will, until the senility or health issues take those abilities away from me. A former, long time reader was surprised to see I was still "at it" with the site and sent me a interesting e-mail. She reminded me about a night at a conference basketball tournament when a certain someone engaged in a bit too much spirits and passed out in my room and on my bed. She told me that that person had recently had a debilitating stroke and she was now in a nursing home. She reminded me that the person was only three years older than me.  

Life is funny sometimes. But, as my daddy used to tell me...do the best you can, and settle for the results or look for a way to improve them. The sun will rise in the morning and you can't please everyone. Maybe try pleasing yourself now and then....you might just like it. 

Softball will regroup and recruit and go through the transfer bruhaha that now envelopes the sport. In watching the NCAA Tournament, it is eye-opening to see the former Cardinals shining on other teams. They have a solid nucleus returning (so far) and a great coach to guide them. A coach I had some great interviews with. Back when I wasn't deemed to be a "persona non-grata" on campus by some, who influenced a lot of others.  

Life is funny sometimes. 

paulie

paulie

Cards eliminated from NCAA Tournament in 4-2 loss to South Dakota -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

COYOTES BOUNCE PAST CARDS IN NCAA SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT. 

And, so, the 2026 Louisville Cardinals softball season comes to a dull thud with their second loss in two days in the NCAA Tournament. South Dakota, the school from Vermillion. South Dakota sent Louisville home with a 4-2 win in the Lincoln regional. For Louisville, another case of where the bats just never got productive . Sun's out, runs out held true for So. Dakota and not UofL Saturday in Nebraska on Saturday.

As usual, I don't choose to talk very much about Cardinals losses. In this one, it was Madi Reeves selected to begin the game in the circle for the Cards, and one has to wonder why Holly Aprile went with her instead of Brooke Gray or Alyssa Zabala in an elimination game. 4-2 on the season...an ERA of almost six runs a game. But, as I have often said here...I'm not paid to coach or make decisions, I just report on what i see. It was Reeves in the circle when the Coyotes scored their three runs, which proved to be enough to win the game.  Zabala came on in relief and kept the Coyotes at bay with them scoring just one runs the rest of the way...but...yeah...good pitch, no hit Cards in this one. 

Louisville took a 1-0 lead in this one....when Easton Lotus Drove home Chelsea Mack. after that, just one more run...in the fourth when Taylor Monroe crossed home plate. 

Louisville left 11 runners on base in the seven innings. No, that isn't a typo. 11 runners. 

Three runs across the plate in two days. The days of Taylor Roby, Jordan McNary, Chelsea Bemis, Maryssa Becker, Megan Hensley and Melissa Roth are gone, gang.

 A team that is 21-35-1 defeats a team that ended 44-14. 

And...maybe that's as good a way to end today's column as any. 

pauli

Scouting the 'Lopes -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 LOUISVILLE SOFTBALL PLAYS FRIDAY AT 4 P.M.

Louisville will open their quest in the NCAA Tournament on Friday when they face Grand Canyon University at 4 p.m. in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Looking at the Antelopes, they went 52-8 overall, one of the best records in D1 softball. Shanon Hays is the head coach at GCU, a position he has held since 2022.  He has established them as a top 25 contender...and has taken the Antelopes to the NCAA Tournament in all four years ofbeing head coach there.  

Hays on the school: 

"GCU is a wonderful university and place to work," Hays said. "Tina and I love living here, and we love what GCU stands for. I'm glad I get the opportunity to coach here for the foreseeable future. I also want to thank President Brian Mueller and (Vice President of Athletics) Jamie Boggs for their vision and support of our program. Their leadership is a key component of why our program has had such great success. They both have a vision of wanting to not just compete for championships at the conference level but for national championships, and that's the kind of place I want to be a part of.

paulie

Cards Softball To Begin NCAA Tournament Against Grand Canyon -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 LOUISVILLE SOFTBALL HEADED TO LINCOLN REGIONAL 

Maybe not the best start one could hope for, but the Cards are in the NCAA Softball Tournament and will get their start against Grand Canyon University. And, some of you are saying...who? 

Grand Canyon University Softball had quite the season...going 52-8 overall and defeating Nevada to win the Mountain West Softball Tournament. They came from the WAC last year and GCU is located in Phoenix, Arizona. They are a private Christian university...

Being in the Lincoln Regional means that the winner of UofL vs GCU is going to have to face the winner of Nebraska vs, South Dakota St. Nebraska is the #4 seed overall in this year's tournament. The GCU squad is nicknamed the Antelopes. 

GCU won their first 25 games of the 2026 season, finally falling to Oklahoma St. Other losses have come to Arizona, Nevada (twice), Arizona St., San Diego St.and UNLV, 

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” Louisville coach Holly Aprile said. “We’re just going to go attack it like we have throughout the whole season here. We’re going to try to run. We’re going to try to hit the ball hard. We’re just going to play hard overall.”

Friday 4 p.m. (EST) is the scheduled start time and the contest will be shown on ESPNU. 

We'll have more on this as the tournament draws closer. 

paulie

Softball Cards fall to Stanford 6-5 in ACC ChampIonships -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 STANFORD GETS WALK OFF WIN IN BOTTOM OF EIGHTH

Louisville had a chance to advance in the ACC Championships..but that old nemesis...B.L.O.B. came back to haunt them. BLOB? BaseRunners left on base. 

Fighting back from an early 4-2 deficit, Holly Aprile used three different pitchers but could not completely silence the Cardinal (or Trees) bats. It was Home Run Derby for awhile for UofL...Bri Despines had two four baggers for the Cards and Madison Pickens added one as well...but the most crippling event was Louisville loading the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh after tying it at 5-5 and being unable to push anymore runs across the plate. After not scoring in the top of the eighth, the Cards took to the field, but Stanford loaded the bases and got the win on a sacrifice fly to advance to play the Noles.

So, it's tear off the rear view mirror and drive on. It is Stanford who will play today against #1 seed FSU in the ACC Championships. 

Louisville will have to wait and see if they get a bid in the NCAA Softball Tournament when the teams are named on Sunday, May 10th on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. You have to like the Cards chances..but the NCAA can be very unkind sometimes to teams that don't reach the semifinals of their conference tournaments. Unless you are in the SEC. 

44-12 seems to be a record that would get a team in the NCAA Tournament for postseason play .We'll see how it shakes out for Louisville. It's going to be a long trip back from Charlottesville for the Cards...

paulie

Cards Softball rallies to down NCSU 6-5 in ACC Tournament opener -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CARDS PUT UP FIVE RUNS IN FINAL THREE INNINGS TO ELIMINATE NORTH CAROLINA ST. IN ACC TOURNAMENT.

They've been doing it all season long and did it once again Wednesday in their opening contest of the ACC Softball Tournament in Charlottesville, VA. To borrow an old UK monicker...maybe these are the "Comeback Cards". 

Louisville softball found themselves trailing 5-1 going into the home half of the fifth inning against #12 seed NCSU. Wednesday afternoon in Charlottesville at the ACC Softball Tournament. The Wolfpack had put up four runs on UofL in the top of the fifth and a bit of consternation was beginning to develop in Cardinals fans. One thing that I was hoping would transpire, though...was the Cards penchant to rally from behind to win games. And UofL did not disappoint. Alyssa Zabala and Brooke Gray, usually the Cards top two hurlers, had been touched by the Wolfpack hitters and the Cards bats were still sleeping. 

In the bottom of the fifth the Cards got a single from Easton Lotus and a walk to Bri Despines to open the inning. Camryn Lookadoo produced a single to score Lotus and Madison Pickens singled to get Despines and Lookadoo to the plate and...suddenly...it was only 5-4 NCSU. 

After a scoreless sixth for both teams, Gray kept NCSU away from crossing home plate in the top of the seventh. Louisville came to the plate three outs away from elimination..

It did not happen. With one out, Despines doubled  and moved to third on a wild pitch. Lookadoo singled Bri home to tie it up and Pickens launched one into the left field corner to score Lookadoo and give UofL the walk-off win 6-5. 

Holly Aprile's birds advance to Thursday play to face #4 seed Stanford today at 1:30 p.m.

In earlier play Wednesday, Georgia Tech bombed Notre Dame 13-3, After the Cards win, North Carolina eliminated Clemson and Virginia downed Pitt. 

 

ACC Championship Begins Today -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CARDS FACE WOLFPACK IN SECOND GAME OF THE DAY

Of all the silly phrases and non-sequiturs I use here on the site, one that I don't think I've thrown out there yet is..."absence makes the heart grow fonder"  I bring it up because it probably does NOT apply to softball tomorrow.  Louisville Softball just might be tired of seeing the NCSU Softball squad. The Cards are probably not missing NCSU one bit, after ending the regular season against them, maybe still a little mad they lost the middle game of that series to them...because that prevented them from grabbing fourth place in the conference and a first round bye. 

After Notre Dame (the #6 seed) and #11th seed Georgia Tech battle out the Wednesday morning contest, starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday...the Cards and Ms.Wuf's team take to Palmer Park to see who will advance to play #4 seed Stanford on Thursday. They list 1:30 p.m. as the time for Cards and Wolfpack, we all know how time frames are just an estimation when tournament time rolls around. 

Louisville has already had a season to remember...a vast improvement over their 26-25 slate from 2025. They've got possibly the most speed on the base paths of any team in the ACC this season, and their 46 steals are tops in the conference. Without any one noted power hitter in the lineup, these Cards could go by the adage..."Sun's out, runs out" because of their proclivity to get around the bases. The opposing catcher better be ready to be throwin' because you know the Cards will be going.

It's interesting to point out that if the Cards move to Thursday, they'll face a Cardinal team that they won the series against back in late Feb-early March 2-1.hope was off the charts for this Cardinals squad. After that series, the Cards were 13-3.

 Yes, we have that Cardinals vs Cardinal potential again, or as a friend is fond of saying..."Birds vs Trees" .

We'll have the results here for you and you can catch all the action on ACCNX. 

paulie

Despines big blast helps Cards down WolfPack 8-3 -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 THREE RUN BLAST IN SIXTH INNING HELPS CARDS SECURE REGULAR SEASON ENDING WIN

Nothing like ending the regular seaso with a win. And a road win,as well. 

Pretty Bri...

After defeating NC State 8-3 Sunday...looks like these two will face again,  in the first round of the ACC Tournament Wednesday in Durham. Case will have a more detailed breakdown of the tournament in his Tuesday article..for now...just know their re-match will be the fifth and twelfth place elimination game. Louisville was one of three teams, at 18-6 and tid for third, but was placed fifth due to a formula only Einstein could probably decipher. 

 

The Cards took control of the ballgame in the top of the third inning with a five run explosion. That came after the squads were scoreless in the first two innings. Chelsea Mack, Easton Lotus and Bri Despnes loaded the bases with no outs and Carmyn Lookadoo doubled to bring home Mack and Lotus. Madison Pickens got on with a walk and Taylor Monroe walked, forcing in a third run. Jordan Williams singled home Lookadoo and Pickens scored from third on a throw out of Williams trying to steal second.  It was 5-0 Cards and that turned out to be all the Cards would need for the win, of course...not knowing that at the time. 

The Pack would counter with a run in the bottom of the inning, but Cards hurler Alyssa Zabala (who I have nicknamed "Smiley") was in control in the circle and went four innings...picking up her 14th win of the season...allowing just one run. 

The Cards posted their three runs in the top of the sixth inning .  Mack reached on an error and Lotus singled. They came home on Despines second home run of the series. 

NCSU would pick up two more runs, off Brooke Gray but never got any closer that the 5-3 score at the end of five innings. They ended up with six hits on the afternoon and Louisville got 10 hits to go with their eight runs. 

paulie

Softball Cards Head to NC State for final regular season series -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 41-10 CARDS HEAD TO RALEIGH TO FACE WOLFPACK

As the ACC Softball Tournament looms ahead, the Softball Cards will end the regular season with three games in Raleigh against the NCST Softball squad. 

It is senior weekend for NC State and they'll say "farewell and good luck" to nine seniors. The first game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Friday and...if you need a break from Oaks coverage, it'll be shown on ACCNX.

The Pack is 26-23 on the season overall, but a dismal 6-14 in  ACC play. They played East Carolina last time out and romped the Pirates 10-2 in five innings. Before that, it was a trip to Virginia, where they lost three to the Cavs. They lost three in a row to Stanford before that...and they are 12th in the league and the ACC Softball tournament is a 12-team tournament. Syracuse is right behind them at 4-15, but the Orange have Virginia Tech coming to town, and the Hokies are in fifth place at 15-6 in ACC play and will be hoping to win all three and hope they can get into the top four in league standings and get a first round bye.

NC State is led by Mala Townsend at the plate...who is batting .358. Morgen Talley is 13-8 from the circle and Lily Livingston has 12 home runs. 

I have had some people asking me who I like in the Kentucky Oaks today and I am going with PROM QUEEN. That stretch run in the Gulfstream Park Oaks was impressive and the filly is only getting stronger. You might also watch Percy's Bar (where I spent a lot of time in my track-going days) . Happy Oaks Day to ya, hve a lily for the fillies! 

paulie

 

Reeves dominates Syracuse Saturday -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

 CARDS SOFTBALL CURTAILS ORANGE 5-1 SATURDAY

When Madi Reeves is "on"..she's "on" 

The junior from Yorkville, Illinois started her college softball at Miami University (OH) and had two pretty successful seasons there. As a freshman,  she went 22-4 and was named the MAC Freshman of the Year.  She was 24-12 her sophomore year and named to the M.A.C. First team. She also beat UNC in the NCAA Tournament last year. 

Holly Aprile saw a lot to like there and wen after her. Reeves wanted a step up in competition , a chance for new opportunities and growth and her nation-leading innings pitched showed Aprile she was a quality pitcher that just might fit in well in the ACC and her program. 

With the complete game win, Reeves went to 4-1 on the season and the Cards got their 40th win of the season...to go to 40-10. 

Louisville jumped out early 2- 0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Chelsea Mack and Easton Lotus started the game with singles. Two fly outs advanced Mack to home and then Madison Pickens singled home Lotus to make it 2-0 Cards. 

The next four innings were scoreless. Syracuse would make it 2-1 in the top of the sixth but Louisville responded well in the bottom of the sixth when Despines took first after getting hit by a pitch, stole second and Lookadoo drew a walk. A Pickens single scored Despines and then Venturelli singled to the center field wall and drove home Pickens and Lookadoo to make it 5-1. 

Reeves allowed just six hits for her second complete game of the season. Louisville now has a seven game win streak and is two games back of league leading FSU. Duke, with three more conference games than those two..is in second by percentage at 9-4 in the ACC. 

The Cards and Orange will face again Sunday at noon. It'll be on ACCNX if you can't make it out to the ball park. 

paulie

Syracuse Softball comes to town to play Cards -- Friday Cardinal Couple

 SYRACUSE SOFTBALL HEADS TO ULMER

Jayden Burney -- Syracuse

Louisville Softball (38-10, 13-5) goes into the weekend series with a change already in the schedule. The Friday game had been moved up to a 4 p.m. start time because of expected rain in the area later tonight. 

The Orange are not a powerhouse in the ACC, with a 4-12 conference record and a 18-20 overall record. SU has had 10 games cancelled this year, mostly because of rain or other unfavorable weather conditions. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games but lost 9 of their first 10 ACC contests. 

Jadyn Burney leads the way at the plate for the Orange with a .320 batting average in 37 games. Burney began her college career at Mississippi State before transferring to "the Cuse". Madison Knight is the "slugger" on the squad with 13 home runs and eight double and 35 RBI's .

Knight is the only pitcher with a winning record on the squad at 10-7. She;s a senior on the roster and has thrown 105 innings...allowing 110 hits. Syracuse also uses Julianna Verni in the circle...she is 5-10 on the season.

Syracuse is 10-26 against the Cards in the overall series...last time out, on April 1st last year the Cards won 5-3. 

An interesting sideline...Otto the Orange, the Syracuse mascot, was official deemed as such in 1978. Before that, SU was known as the Saltines and called the Saltine Warriors. Syracuse was known as "Salt City" because of the extracting of salt from the springs near Onondaga Lake. 

paulie

Softball Cats dump Cards 12-8 in 10 innings -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 FOUR RUN 10TH INNING GIVE CATS WIN IN ULMER.

I don't normally talk a whole lot about a Louisville Softball loss and that'll be the case again for this article. In a hit-fest, especially for the Cats...Kentucky gets the 12-8 win in Louisville on a Wednesday night in Ulmer Stadium.. 

Louisville had this one in hand early, with a 7-2 lead after two innings but could only muster one more run in the next eight innings...and nothing seemed to go right for the Cards in the 10th inning. 

UK was a hit machine in Ulmer Wednesday, with 25 of them...and had two homers against five different Louisville pitchers. Alyssa Zabala got tagged with the loss, she actually made two appearances in the game...starting and relieving late....and UK gets over .500 at 26-25.

Louisville led 8-7 after six innings, but the Cats were able to tie it up to force the bonus softball. 

The Cards had 12 hits to go with their eight runs, and will now wait for their weekend series with Syracuse in Ulmer before ending the season with a series at NC State.

Paulie

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Softball Cards move to 25th in D1 poll -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 LOUISVILLE SOFTBALL MOVES TO 25TH IN D1 SOFTBALL POLL

Louisville softball (38-9) has reach a new pinnacle this season. The Cards are 25th in the NCAA D1 poll. It is their first top 25 ranking of the season. 

Louisville is one of five ACC schools in the top 25. Duke comes in at 13th, Virginia Tech is 16th, Stanford is 20th and  Clemson is 24th .

The Cards step out of conference play today with a game against in-state rival Kentucky. The Cats are 25-25 on the season and a dismal 1-20 in the SEC this season. The two played earlier in the season, at Lexington, and Louisville won a 8-7 thriller over the Cats. 

Game time is Ulmer is 6 p.m.it's at Ulmer Stadium and it will be shown on the ACC Network. 

The Cards swept their series with Pitt last time out and set a few records in the process. 

-- Chelsea Mack became the new record holder for most stolen bases by a Cardinals softball player with 37. Wise advice for any opposing catchers might be.."Don't turn your back on Chelsea Mack" 

-- Crossing Jordan? Not lately. Jordan Williams has hit safely in the last 19 games. That's also a Cardinals team record. 

-- Who's that girl on base? Why it's Easton Lotus! She has reached base safely in her last 40 games. She sets a new Cardinals record each time she gets on. 

We'll be following on the ACCNX and have a full report on it tomorrow. 

Today is Earth Day. Do something nice for our planet today.  It's also Jelly Bean Day. Have some jelly beans while you're dong that nice thing. 

paulie

LOUSIVILLE SOFTBALL TOPS IU 8-7 IN 10 INNING THRILLER -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 LOTUS WALK OFF SINGLE SETTLES IT IN ULMER

Easton Lotus has had some pretty key and clutch hits in her time as a UofL softball player...but maybe none as big as the two-RBI single early this morning in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Cards a 8-7 win over IU in Ulmer Stadium.Yes, I said this morning. The game, which didn't start until after 8 p.m. Wednesday night, ended shortly after midnight Thursday morning. 

Her big blow came in a three-run bottom of the tenth inning for Louisville. The Cards, trailing 7-5  got a run when Taylor Monroe singled up the middle to drive home Madison Pickens, who scored from second...getting there because of the International rule where the batting team gets a runner on second at the start of the inning when a game goes to extra innings.  Taylor Monroe went to second when Riley Janda got a base on balls and Lotus sent a screamer down the third base line to score both runners and end the marathon.

It was a back and forth contest scoring wise between the rivals. IU led 2-0 until the bottom of the fourth, when the Cards got a run. UofL jumped ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth, IU tied it in the top of the seventh, and both teams scored twice in the ninth. 

Madi Reeves got the win in relief to go to 3-0 on the season. The win improves UofL record to 35-9 on the season. The Cards collected 11 hits in the victory and drew six walks...the Cards get their first win over IU since 2022. 

paulie