A CLASSIC --RIVER MOCS 10 -- MANATEE 9 -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SQUEEZE BATTLE BACK, FALL JUST SHORT IN SLUGFEST

A very enjoyable two and a half hours of softball yesterday in the championship game of the FGCL Tournament, where the teams combined for 24 hits, 19 runs and more twists, turns, plot changes and excitement than an Alfred Hitchcock classic. 

It was #1 vs. #2 at Lakewood Ranch and it provided plenty of drama -- this 10-9 win by Myakka City. If you're a fan of precise pitching and spectacular fielding, this wasn't the game for you -- but if you're a fan of "powerball softball" it's certainly worth your time to watch a replay of it. If you missed the live stream of it yesterday on You Tube. I have a link for the rebroadcast below: 

MANATEE SQUEEZE VS MYAKKA CITY RIVER MOCS

This showdown started out very one-sided. Myakka City could do no wrong at the plate, the Squeeze was having trouble in the circle, on the field and at the plate. The River Mocs jumped to an early 8-0 lead after two innings and a run-rule contest looked like a real possibility. In wasn't Manatee starting pitcher Jenna Green's day, after a wonderful 9-1 season in the circle as the Squeeze's ace hurler. 

Drama reared its head in the bottom of the second. Starting River Mocs pitcher and MVP of the league Mack Leonard came to bat in the inning with her squad up 4-0 and reached first base after getting plunked by a pitch. She tried to advance to second on a subsequent ground ball, but was forced out at second. Then, in something you rarely see in softball, she was tossed from the game by the field umpire for interference with Manatee second baseman Stormy Kotzelnick. Usually you see an umpire warning in a case like this. Was something said by Leonard that caused the toss? Regardless...

Myakka City had lost their pitching ace. 

At first, it didn't seem to phase the River Mocs, they plated four more runs in the second, but Manatee (who had managed just one hit off Leonard in two innings of pitching) took advantage of the change in the circle. The Squeeze scored two runs in the third and added four more in the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Kenna Wilkey had come in to pitch for Manatee and was throwing a shutout for the Squeeze in the circle and Manatee had roared back to make it a 8-6 game.

"Uncle Mo" was in the Manatee dugout and Myakka City needed a response. 

The River Mocs got a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning off Wilkey but Manatee came to the plate in the top of the sixth and went right back to work. Meagan Ricks drew a walk off struggling Myakka City pitcher K. Hobbs. Cardinal Paige Schindler beat out an infield single and Abi Stuart singled to right, Schindler getting forced out on a very close play at second. That set the stage for Manatee left fielder Jordyn Kadlub.

She lifted a fly ball to left field that cleared the fence. A three-run homer tied the contest at 9-9. The Manatee miracle comeback had come full circle. Cardinal Jordyn Wolfe did her best to keep the run production going by reaching base after getting hit by a Hobbs full count pitch, but Wolfe was left stranded at second. 

This was a game you didn't want to see end, but, sadly it did in the next "at bats" for each squad. The River Mocs plated their 10th run of the day in the bottom of the sixth -- benefiting from a hit-by-pitch and single. 10-9. 

Could Manatee remain productive in the top of the seventh?

The inning started well, with Nikki Cuchran belting a lead-off double to center. But...a strike out, fly out to center and ground out failed to get the tying run home and the River Mocs had pulled out the win. 

Huge props to Manatee. It looked like curtains after two innings, but, this team never gave up the fight or the spirit all season long and that proved true again in the their final game. Would it have been different if Leonard hadn't been tossed for the River Mocs? We'll never know, obviously, but -- dealing in reality -- this was a game it was sad to actually have to declare a winner and loser in. 

Both teams gave it their all. 

For the Cardinals players in the contest, Jordyn Wolfe had a sparkling game, going two for three at the plate, reaching base three times and getting an RBI and scoring a run. Paige Schindler was also productive, going one for three at the plate. 

On the season, Wolfe batted .367 in the 23 games she played for Manatee. She had seven doubles, one triple, scored 15 runs and drove in seven. Schindler came on strong at the end of the schedule as the Squeeze designated hitter and batted .400 in 13 games. She had two home runs, three doubles, scored four runs and drove in 11. 

In a time where active sports have been scare, this league, these teams gave us something to write about, discuss, root for and debate. Wolfe and Schindler, two outstanding student-athletes, got the chance to continue their careers and have some fun in a competitive situation. We're proud of them here at Cardinal Couple and I guarantee the Cardinal softball coaches, staff and other players are, as well. 

We'll give them a little time and then see if we can line up interviews with the dynamic duo. 

It's sad to see this competitive summer league end. But, what a game to end it with! 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

paulie
xxxxx

Swimming and Diving Suspended -- Squeeze Advance to Championship -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Swimming and Diving Suspended Following COVID-19

Big news came from the UofL campus yesterday when the announcement came that a two-week suspension of the swimming and diving program following a COVID-19 outbreak.

Three members of the program tested positive, although names and their involvement with the program were not released in accordance with HIPAA.

UofL began the suspension on Saturday, July 18, and they are expected to resume on Saturday, Aug. 1.  All proper procedures and protocol are being taken, and all members will have to retest and have negative results before rejoining the program.

This is the second program to run into COVID-19 related issues.  The men's basketball program ran into the same situation two weeks ago.

Although we hope to see this as the final case on campus there is a chance we will see more programs have similar issues in the coming weeks, especially when they play other opponents or travel out of town. If that happens at all. 2020 has been interesting.


Manatee Squeeze Advance to Championship


The Manatee Squeeze won their FGCL Tournament playoff opener against Fast Pitch U, 13-1 in five innings yesterday.

Cardinal softball student-athletes Jordyn Wolfe and Paige Schindler saw action and recorded multiple at bats.  Both players reached base safely at least once and either scored or recorded an RBI.

Stream Live Tampa was airing the game live through Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, Periscope and Twitter.  I managed to tune in as they headed to the bottom of the fourth with the Squeeze leading 5-1.  Between a trio of errors and a plethora of hits, the Squeeze added another eight runs.  They shut down Fast Pitch U in the top of the fifth inning to take the mercy rule victory.

Jenna Greene dominated the circle in the win with a five-inning, 11 strikeout performance from the Presbyterian College pitcher.

The win advanced them to the semifinals against the 6-seed Square Up Academy (SUA) Pioneers, who upset 3-seed Bradenton Slice.

In their second game, the Squeeze faced the Pioneers.  The Squeeze took the win, 11-0 in five innings again.

The Squeeze jumped on the Pioneers early with a four-run first inning.  Then another four runs in the second.  And three more in the third.

Despite incoming storm clouds, the Squeeze remained unfazed and continued to pound the ball in a contest that featured three home runs.  Our very own Paige Schindler had two of them.

Kenna Wilkey (Northwestern) took the win in the second game after pitching four shutout innings.

So, the #2 seeded Squeeze advance to tomorrow's championship game against the #1-seed Myakka City RiverMocs at noon, time tentative depending on weather.

The RiverMocs have dominated the league all season and did win their only tournament game in run-rule fashion yesterday (they got a first-round bye), but we did see the Squeeze get a win out of them recently.  It's a showdown you do not want to miss. The two squads faced each other three times in the regular season and the Manatee Squeeze won two of the contests -- 3-2 and 2-1. The River Mocs win was a 8-2 contest.

This game should be aired on the same platforms as yesterday.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared

Sunday Cardinal Couple - The Bracket is Set

FGCL Bracket is Set

We didn't get our normal hype around NCAA basketball bracket reveals this year, so we'll take a little bit of joy in this one.  The FGCL regular season has concluded and the tournament bracket is set.  Most of the tournament will be played tomorrow, with only the championship game on Tuesday.

Jordyn Wolfe, Paige Schindler, and the rest of the Manatee Squeeze finished the regular season in 2nd place, behind the Myakka City RiverMocs.  It is a seven team tournament, so the RiverMocs will get the first round bye.  The Manatee Squeeze will start the first round tomorrow against Fast Pitch U.  Times are still to be determined.  The 2nd round challenge would be against either the Bradenton Slice, or the Pioneers.  In the other half of the bracket, the Bradenton Lynx will compete with Impact Softball 20 to see who gets to attempt to take down the RiverMocs.

Jordyn Wolfe did get selected for the Sun Division All-Start team, along with about half of the Manatee Squeeze team.  The Squeeze had the most representatives on the All-Star team with eight getting the nod, while the Bradenton Slice had seven selections.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

Technical difficulties prevented a live stream of the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour yesterday, but we
were able to record.  You can check it out below.

A full crew on board yesterday with myself, Paulie, Case and Jared

Topics included the latest on FGCL play, a rundown of some of the conference divisions concerning fall sports, and our typical summer Cardinal Couple quiz.  Paulie put us up against a tough one, but you'll be amazed at my performance in this one.

See if you can do better than us. Take the quiz. 

JMcA

Hartlage Advances -- Manatee win showdown with Mocs -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LAUREN HARTLAGE ADVANCES TO ROUND OF SIXTEEN IN NORTH & SOUTH TOURNAMENT

Our mission here at Cardinal Couple is to bring you the joy and excitement of UofL women's athletics. That mission has been a bit difficult over the past few months, but we got great news on The Galt House's huge donation yesterday and have some great news on the success and pursuits of a few UofL women's athletes today!  

Louisville women's golf student-athlete Lauren Hartlage pulled off what you might consider an upset when she knocked off the #3 seed in the round of 32 yesterday at Pinehurst. Hartlage had barely made the cut after two days, getting the #30 seed, but entered match play yesterday and came through with the "W". .

She knocked off Sadie Englemann (who has signed a letter of intent to attend Stanford this fall) in match play yesterday on the 17th hole of their match, with a birdie on the par 3, to go up three stokes with just one hole to play and effectively end the match. 

Hartlage advances to take on #14 seed Emilia Miglioccio (Wake Forest) today in an off-season ACC showdown. Miglioccio was 3 up on her opponent yesterday with two holes to play to get the win. They tee off at 7:40 this morning. 

Only three of the top ten seeds in match play advanced yesterday...#1 and #2...surviving. Englemann was the best-seeded golfer to fall yesterday in match play. 

Keep up with Lauren's match today at the link below: 

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2545237 

Here's hoping Lauren can shoot her way to "the Great Eight" today at Pinehurst! 


MANATEE KNOCKS OFF THE RIVER MOCS 2-1


In a showdown between the top two teams in the FGCL yesterday, the home-standing Manatee Squeeze took a 2-1, extra innings win over league-leading Myakka City River Mocs yesterday. 

Manatee used a bottom of the eighth inning single from Sara Berthiaume (FAU) to plate Abi Stuart (Clemson) for the walk-off win.

Louisville softball student-athlete Jordyn Wolfe started for Manatee in right field and went 1-3 in the game. She singled in the sixth inning to start a Manatee rally but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice. Wolfe also reached base in the first inning on a River Mocs fielding error but was left stranded on the base paths.

Cardinal Paige Schindler did not appear in the contest. 

With the win, Manatee improves to 15-5 on the season and drops Myakka City to 19-2. 


Have a fun Friday while staying safe and sanitizing. Wear a mask, despite what our state's attorney general says. We don't want to lose any readers or see you ill. We're all in this together.   


paulie
xxxxx

Galt House Donates $3.5 Million to UofL Athletics -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Galt House Donates $3.5 Million to UofL Athletics

In a time of financial uncertainty for many the Galt House Hotel stepped up to the plate to knock one out of the park.  The Galt House Hotel generously donated $3.5 million to UofL Athletics.

The funds will go towards renovation and expansion of the Planet Fitness Kueber Center on Floyd Street.  It houses lacrosse, women's basketball, and men's basketball offices and facilities.

All $3.5 million will be paid over a 10-year period.  In return, UofL Athletics will host many special events such as the annual Football Kickoff and Basketball Tipoff Luncheons at the Galt House Hotel.  One of the suite levels at Cardinal Stadium will be renamed The Galt House Hotel Suite Level.

"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and support of the Galt House," said Vince Tyra.  "The sponsorship agreement avails us the to experience the amazing renovation of the hotel rooms and its amenities going forward.  The larger meeting space allows more supporters to experience some of our annual events for the first time.  The Schneider family has been long time supporters of the university and we are very fortunate to forge this mutually beneficial partnership for years to come."



This a great move for UofL as we questioned the financial stability of Athletics.  Earlier this summer UofL Athletics furloughed or let go several staff members due to budget issues surrounding COVID-19.  With the question of fall sports, especially football, up in the air the financial issues do not seem to be disappearing soon.

The funds from the Galt House Hotel will allow UofL to revamp the Kueber Center, which has been in need of remodeling.  It will be beneficial to lacrosse, women's basketball, and men's basketball.  Of course, as soon as we get a chance to explore the renovated building, which a time frame for completion has not been announced, we will gladly post pictures of the facility.

Personally, I would like to see a better balcony area for other student-athletes and staff can sit back and watch lacrosse matches from the Kueber Center.  Maybe they can even put up a better video board for lacrosse and attach it to the building?

It's nice to have some positive news out there in such dark times.


Manatee pounds Bradenton Lynx 9-3

A six-run fourth inning did the trick for the Manatee Squeeze yesterday in a 9-3 win over the Bradenton Lynx in FGCL Softball action. .

Trailing 1-0 after three innings, the Squeeze produced seven hits in the top of the fourth.. Cardinal Jordyn Wolfe reached on an error and scored early in the inning. Paige Schindler doubled with two outs to left field and drove in two runs in the huge inning.

Wolfe was 2-4 in the mid-morning game and scored two runs. Schindler went 1-3, her double a key hit for Manatee.

The win pushes Manatee to a 14-5 record. They sit in second place, 4-1/2 games behind the Myakka City River Mocs, (19-1) who also won yesterday -- 11-4 over the SUA Pioneers.


Hartlage Advances to Round Of 32

Louisville women's golf graduate student-athlete Lauren Hartlage (Elizabethtown, KY) fired an even-par 72 yesterday to advance to the round of 32 in the 118th Women's North & South Amateur Event in Pinehurst, NC.

The event switches to match play after two rounds of medal play. Hartlage is the #30 seed and will go up against #3 seed Sadie Engleman this morning in the "win and advance" format. Hartlage had a two-day score of 147 over Tuesday and Wednesday to make the cut.

Louisville golfer Margot Bechadergue missed making the cut with a second round 79.



Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared

Hartlage, Bechadergue Compete In North/South Tournament -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL WOMEN'S GOLFERS FINISH FIRST ROUND AT PINEHURST 

Two student-athletes from the University of Louisville women's golf squad are competing in the prestigious Women's North and South Amateur Tournament this week at Pinehurst Golf Course in North Carolina. 

Graduate student Lauren Hartlage and senior Margot Bechadergue are part of 120+ amateur golfers taking part in the tournament. 

After 18 holes on Tuesday, Hartlage is +3 over par and tied for 48th. place. She shot a 75 on Pinehurst Course #2. Bechadergue is one stroke back of Hartlage at +4 over par, firing a 76 on Pinehurst Course #4 . Bechadergue tees off at 8 a.m. this morning and will switch to Course 2 and Hartlage hits the tee box on Course 4 at 9:10 a.m.

Three golfers sit atop the standings at -4 under par after the first 18 holes. 

You can follow the live scoring and learn much more at:  https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2545237

We wish the best of luck and hope for a few birdies to our Cardinal golfers as they go into day two of the event !! 


MANATEE RUN-RULE IMPACT 

The Manatee Squeeze erupted for eight runs in the first two innings last night against the visiting Bradenton Impact and went on to a five-inning, 12-3 win in Florida Gulf Coast League action.

Louisville Softball student-athlete Jordyn Wolfe started for the Squeeze in right field and scored two runs, drove in a run, produced a single and received a walk in her two at bats. 

Cardinal Paige Schindler entered the circle to pitch in relief in the fourth inning and pitched two innings, allowing no runs, one hit, one walk and striking out two Impact batters. She also made a plate appearance and smacked a double to center in the bottom of the fourth inning that drove in Manatee's final two runs.

Manatee is now 13-5 on the season and remains in second place in the FGCL standings, 4-1/2 games back of the Myakka City River Mocs. The Squeeze take on the Bradenton Lynx in a rare Wednesday morning game today at 10 a.m.


have a wonderful Wednesday! Stay safe and smart. 

paulie
xxxxx

More Fall Sports Cancellations -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Patriot League Cancels Fall Sports

The Patriot League made the decision yesterday to cancel all fall sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.  However, they will wait until a later date to make the decision regarding winter sports.

The U.S. Military Academy (Army) and Naval Academy (Navy) are exempt from the decision.  That responsibility will fall under each school's superintendent.

The Patriot League consists of (10) schools:  American, Army, Boston U. Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola (MD) and Navy

Louisville historically has not scheduled Patriot League opponents in the regular season for most sports, but have often met opponents in post-season.  It should not directly affect anything for UofL sports as of right now.

SEC Delays Decision


SEC officials met yesterday in person to decide the fate of fall sports.  They elected to delay their decision until the end of July, which is roughly two and a half weeks away.

Although their main focus was on the football season they did show concerns for all fall sports, but made no mention of winter sports.

It is uncertain whether they will follow the intra-conference only style that the Big Ten and PAC-12 are implementing or whether they are looking at cancelling the season altogether.

What About the ACC?

The ACC still has no decision on fall sports other than delaying competition until Sept. 1, for Olympic sports.  Football is still currently scheduled for normal.

ACC officials are expected to make a decision at the end of July.

With how things are going with other conferences and the recent uptick in confirmed cases around the country things are not looking hot.  Florida and South Carolina have been some of the worst states recently.  Those two states house three ACC schools: Clemson, Florida State, Miami.

We have been a little more fortunate in Kentucky with fewer confirmed cases.  Outside of the two confirmed cases among the men's basketball program UofL has not released any news on other sports.  Hopefully that is a sign things are going smooth, but there could also be restrictions due to HIPAA, which is why names from the men's basketball program were never released.  So perhaps there are cases we do not know about?

Let's just hope for the best.

I don't think we will have a fall sports season, nor do I believe we should have one in the best interest of fans, staff, and student-athletes alike.


Manatee Win 8-2 Over Pioneers

Taylor Johnson had four RBI's and the Manatee Squeeze used a six-run fifth inning to defeat the
SUA Pioneers last night 8-2.

People have asked, what is SUA? It's an abbreviation for Square Up Academy, a sports-performance training academy in Bradenton, FL.

Louisville softball student-athletes Jordyn Wolfe and Paige Schindler started for Manatee -- Wolfe in right field and Schindler as the designated hitter. Wolfe went 1-3 from the plate (a single) and scored a run. Schindler also went 1-3 (a single), scored a run and drove in a run.

Manatee is 12-5 on the season, good for second place in the FGCL, and 4-1/2 games behind league-leading Myakka City River Mocs (18-1)

You can follow Wolfe and Schindler's pursuits in Florida at the link below:

LINK:

FGCL Softball

Please continue to stay safe and healthy, and we will get through this together!

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!


Jared

ACC watching and waiting -- Manatee Rocked by River Mocs -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WILL ACC FOLLOW BIG 10's CANCELLATION PLAYING OF NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS? 

This is one of those watching and waiting days.

In purely "noir" terms and scenario, the car is parked outside the house. It's foggy outside and our heroines (Louisville women's sports student-athletes) go out to meet the stranger. 

Inside the occupants of the house wait to see who is coming and going to happen.  The occupants are mostly fearing the worst from the tall stranger in the hat (raincoat optional) and the news he possesses.  The car door slowly opens and steps are heard heading up the sidewalk. Tense, edgy music plays in the background. The group inside is waiting. What news does the stranger bring? 

Sorry to make a melodrama moment here, I've been watching a lot of old movies lately. 

With the BIG10 Conference cancelling all games against non-conference foes, can the ACC be far behind? 

Looking at the Louisville women's sports non-conference schedule for 2020 that's been posted, only Volleyball has put out a 2020 official-type schedule and Purdue, a Big 10 member, looks to definitely be off the schedule.

(Maybe the other women's sports were wise in not doing so yet...)

In terms of Volleyball non-conference matches, the VolleyCards are still (as of 8:38 a.m. this morning) are headed to Dayton for a tournament on August 22nd. Going to NKU for a tournament after that and playing either Xavier or Lipscomb in Cincinnati and then have a home and away match planned against UK. A 18-game, ACC Conference slate awaits after that. 

We know not (officially) how Field Hockey, Women's Soccer, Women's basketball, golf, tennis and the others will be affected by the Big 10 move or the impending, probable ACC move that walks up the sidewalk of the Belknap Campus.

Right now, though...it doesn't look good for the Cardinal house-dwellers. My guess is the ACC will follow suit and that it's the first step toward the cancellation of fall sports.

Sorry to be a "downer-deliverer" here, but, to use a horse-racing description -- our horse isn't making up any ground on the leaders as they make the turn and head for the stretch. Naturally, I'm hoping for the best here...but I'm also looking at our current situation and, in the words of Bob Dylan...."you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows". 


That's a great Dylan song, by the way....and is eerie accurate on how things are today, desite being recorded over 50 years ago.  I've got it linked up below: 


SUBTERRANEAN HOMESICK BLUES -- BOB DYLAN


You're going to find tons of speculation about football and the Cards at other sites. We won't go there, we'll leave that to the "experts" in that area. 

Right now, we watch, we wait and wonder what is going to happen within the ACC. It's the seventh inning and we don't know the final-at bat possibilities yet for the opponent. 

(Case prepares for his Saturday column) 

I expect Case will report on the news we're all waiting for in his column tomorrow. I'm not expecting a bouquet of flowers to be delivered at the UofL women's sports front door. 

Just a sign of the times, friends. 

We'll discuss what we know on Saturday's Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast.

The broadcast begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings. We'd love to have you listen in. You can access the show on YouTube. Case will have the link for you tomorrow, so be sure to check out his column tomorrow. You can hear any and all of the previous shows by going to Google (or the search engine you use) and popping YouTube Cardinal Couple Radio Hour in the search bar, or clicking the picture at the top of our website page of me and Jared in masks with Sonya and Katie. 

We cover the week in UofL women's sports in our podcasts and present a quiz for you and the panel each week in the second half of the show. Jeff and Jared lock horns this week again after tying last week in our quiz, so the tension and drama is building there for the impending showdown. 



MANATEE FALL LATE TO RIVER MOCS. 

In a showdown between the first and second place teams in Softball's FGCL league, the Myakka City River Mocs visited the Manatee Squeeze last night and broke open a close contest with four runs in the final two innings to take the 8-2 win. 

Cardinal Jordan Wolfe made three plate appearances for Manatee and delivered a single, plus scored one of Manatee's runs. The Squeeze's right-fielder singled to right-center in the first inning and came home on Nikki Cuchran's two-RBI, fence clearing blast to center. 

Manatee used three pitchers in the loss (none of them Cardinal Paige Schindler) and slips to 10-4 on the season. Myakka City improves to 14-1 on the schedule. 

Have an interesting Friday! Stay safe and make good decisions. Hope for the best but be prepared for the actual. 

paulie
xxxxx

Asia Durr Tests Positive -- Squeeze Win In Walkoff -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ASIA DURR TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

This news, revealed yesterday in a Tweet from the Cardinal great and WNBA New York Liberty guard Asia Durr is a another gut-punch to all of us that have taken a considerable amount of those in 2020. 

We try to bring you the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports here at Cardinal Couple. Asia Durr has certainly brought a lot of those moments over the years for us to write about.  So, it is with sadness we come to grips with the reality that she will not play in the 2020 WNBA season and is sick. 

Sadly, it won't be the last time that we, as Cardinal fans, will hear news of someone we've covered, exulted and praised coming down with COVID-19. 

All we can do is point to the fighting spirit, remarkable accomplishments and tons of hope, joy and inspiration that Asia has brought Cardinal and Liberty fans over the past and feel confident that she'll --  once again -- in her life take on a foe, an adversary and come out on top. 

Asia Durr is a winner. Asia Durr is a leader. She is one of the most incredible athletes I've had the pleasure to cover in my years here at Cardinal Couple.

I have no doubts she'll beat this foe, too.

And, in that statement of reality, I'll try to find some aspects of keeping hope, joy and excitement alive. She won't quit, she won't surrender or give up in this battle. 

Asia will win. 

As the debate rages in our society over what is right and wrong, acceptable and just, needed and un-needed...one thing we all can count on is that, despite this setback, Asia Durr will be back. The words of Deepak Chopra, pictured above, hold true. 

We must go beyond the pain and find love. 

In her story, her book... her temporary pain -- is far from the final chapter or last segment in the book of Asia Durr. . 


MANATEE DO IT AGAIN

It wasn't a slug fest or one-sided romp, but the Manatee Squeeze found another way to win again last night. The 3-2 victory, in eight innings, over the Bradenton Lynx, came in a bit of dramatic fashion. 

Scoreless for six innings, the Squeeze staged a rally in the bottom of the seventh to tie the contest. Stormy Kotzelnick began the inning with a triple. Louisville's Jordyn Wolfe brought her home with a perfectly placed RBI ground-out to the pitcher that scored Kotzelnick -- drawing Manatee within one run. Next up, Taylor Johnson tied the contest with a four-bagger that cleared the center field fence. 2-2. 

After holding the Lynx scoreless in the top of the eighth, Manatee wasted no time in ending the contest. Alexis Johns was placed on second to begin the Manatee at-bat. Jordyn Kadlub laid down a bunt that was mishandled and a throwing error brought Johns to the plate and Kadlub was safe at first for the game-winner RBI. 

Kenna Wilkey went the distance in the circle for the Squeeze and got her third win of the season. 

The Manatee improve to 10-3 on the season. That's good for second place in the FGCL, 
The Myakka City River Mocs are in first with a 13-1 record. 


Have a wonderful Wednesday and keep #25 in your thoughts,


paulie
xxxxx

Softball Picks Up Transfer -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Softball Picks Up Transfer Leonhardt

Louisville softball announced yesterday they have added an arm to the bullpen.  Jennifer Leonhardt joins the Cards for her final season of eligibility.

The right-handed pitcher spent her first three seasons at the University of Southern Indiana, located near Evansville.  Leonhardt is a native of Louisville, having graduated from Fern Creek High School.

UofL has not played the Division II school.  However, USI is in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with Bellarmine.

In 2018, Southern Indiana won the NCAA DII National Championship.  They entered the CWS as the 8-seed and went on an undefeated Cinderella run.

Leonhardt was named the 2018 NCAA DII Softball Championship Series Most Outstanding Player.  She finished the postseason 12-1, 1.35 ERA, .152 opponent batting average, and 96 strikeouts.  She was also named 2019 GLVC Pitcher of the Year.

Although, the 2020 season was cut short the Louisville native held a 7-3 record, 1.63 ERA, .174 opposing batting average, and 76 strikeouts.

Besides success in the circle, Leonhardt also excels behind the plate as a left-handed batter.  She had
a .386 batting average, five doubles, two home runs, and 16 RBIs.

Leonhardt, who has graduated and plans to attend UofL School of Dentistry,  joins a cast that includes Taylor Roby,Chardonnay Harris, Paige Schindler, Taja Felder, and Payton Hudson as pitchers.  That's a heck of a "circle crew" that is sure to help lead the charge for a successful 2021 season.


Manatee Shut Out Impact

The Manatee Squeeze scored three runs in the first three innings and had a huge top of the seventh with four runs -- blanking the Impact 8-0.

The two-hit shutout featured another sizzling performance from Jenna Greene in the circle. She's 6-0 on the season and the Manatee are 9-3 in the FGCL, which is good for second place.

Cardinals Jordyn Wolfe went 1-2 from the plate and drew two walks against Impact pitching. Paige Schindler drew a walk and struck out in two at bats.

Everyone have a happy Tuesday and Go Cards!


Jared

Sunday Cardinal Couple - Tidbits and Followups

An FGCL Non-Update

The FGCL schedule listed 3 games for yesterday, but as of this morning, no results have been posted and no live streams were done on the Stream Live Tampa Youtube channel yesterday.  It appears as if the FGCL took an extra day off in observance of the 4th of July.

The Manatee Squeeze, with our UofL players onboard, were in the midst of an exhibition game on Friday where the Tampa Mustangs TJ were on top 6-0 in the top of the 6th inning when apparently the game was called, I'm guessing due to the late hour.

The FGCL doesn't play on Sundays, so the Squeeze should be back in action on Monday evening vs the Impact.

Some Minor Updates

The GoCards.com site has been, over the past few months, posting a lot of "Getting to Know" articles with student athletes of various sports.  These are not super in-depth biographies, but they can be worth a quick look for a few moments of getting a sense of who these folks are.  Recent ones have been posted about incoming freshmen Alaina Brauer from Rowing and Anna DeBeer for Volleyball.  Before that, they got answers from Californian Catch Rebecca Chung and sophomore swimmer Libby Lambert.

Alaina Brauer: https://gocards.com/news/2020/7/3/rowing-getting-to-know-alaina-brauer.aspx

Anna DeBeer: https://gocards.com/news/2020/7/2/womens-volleyball-get-to-know-anna-debeer.aspx

Rebecca Chung: https://gocards.com/news/2020/7/1/softball-catching-up-with-rebecca-chung.aspx

Libby Lambert: https://gocards.com/news/2020/7/1/swimming-diving-checking-in-with-libby-lambert.aspx

More of these can be found in the news listings on the GoCards.com website.  Keep clicking "More News" and you'll keep finding them.

While you're there, check out the latest "Welcome to the Ville" podcast, which have also been posted periodically since the spring sports shutdown started.  Nick Curran hosts and spends about half an hour each episode with various people involved in UofL sports. 

The latest episode is with one of our Cardinal Couple favorites Celene Funke of Softball.  Arthur Albiero, Dani Busboom Kelly, and Jazmine Jones have also been guests on the podcast.  The podcast episodes are also available in the "More News" on GoCards.com as well as being available through your favorite podcast source like Spotify, Google Play, and iTunes.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

And finally, The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast was on the air for our usual Saturday morning
romp.  Case was unable to join, but Paulie, Jared, and I had a good discussion, got caught up with the FGCL and Squeeze.  We highlighted Candyce Bingham Wheeler joining Becky Burke on the coaching staff at South Carolina Upstate, then took a few moments to talk about Matt Mitchell, head coach at UK, and wish him well as he's recovering from brain surgery. 

Sticking with basketball, the conversation turned to the Duke coaching situation and a bit of exploration of who might be tagged to be the next head coach for the Blue Devils.  Next up was some updates from the teleconferences this week with Basketball's Jeff Walz and Soccer's Karen Ferguson-Dayes.

And finally, a good competitive Cardinal Couple Quiz.  Check it out below.

JMcA

Manatee Squeeze Run Rule Fast Pitch U -- Jo Anne P sez "No longer me' -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

9-1 WIN KEEPS SQUEEZE IN SECOND PLACE

There are a couple of things we've learned about this Manatee Squeeze in the FGCL Softball season. 

First, when they're "on" and hitting the ball, a multitude of runs are going to cross the plate. Secondly, when pitcher Jenna Greene (Presbyterian College) takes the circle, opposing teams are going to share in the slug-fest. Greene is now 5-0 in the circle for Manatee, leads the league in strikeouts delivered with 46 and has a very impressive 1.12 ERA. 

Greene held Fast Pitch U to just two hots and delivered 11 strikeouts in Manatee's run-rule five-inning win yesterday. This one was over, honestly, after the first inning -- as the Squeeze plated six runs. Stepping up huge for the Squeeze at the plate were Jordyn Kadiub (USF) who drove in four runs and hit a home run and Stormy Kotzelnick (Washington) who went 1-2 at the plate and also homered....batting lead-off in the lineup, she started the game with a four-baser to center.

The Squeeze sent ten batters to the plate in the six-run first inning.


Cardinal softball right fielder Jordyn Wolfe started, was hit by a pitch in one of her three at bat appearances and scored a run. Paige Schindler entered the game in the fourth inning and played left field. She did not get a plate appearance. 

The Squeeze (8-3) have a firm hold on second place in the league and are 2-1/2 games behind the Myakka City River Mocs (11-1) who defeated the Bradenton Slice last night 7-1. 

Tonight's action puts Manatee against the SUA Pioneers, who are 4-9 in league play. A 7:30 p.m. start for this one. 


DUKE WBB COACH JOANNE P. MCCAULEY RESIGNATION

Long-time Duke WBB head coach Joanne P. McCauley announced yesterday that she was leaving the Blue Devils as their skipper.

The reason she gave was because of a salary dispute on a potential extended contract deal. 

"I am choosing to step away as head coach at Duke," McCallie said. "As a coach in the final year of my contact, uncertainty is natural and it takes away from confidence and fun. I am pretty sure there is a level of uncertainty among the Duke family."

The resignation isn't that surprising.

McCauley hasn't done much for the Blue Devils since  the days of Rebecca Greenwell and Lexie Brown. I don't blame the Duke athletic director at all for not feeling confident about jumping into that uncertain water again. She never quite matched the success of former Duke Gail Goestenkors and there were internal "rumors"abut her, also. 

This is a prime job, though, in women's college basketball and Blue Devil Athletics shouldn't have any trouble finding a quality replacement. 

I have no "inside scoop" on this but I'll toss three names out there that might be a good fit.

1) Michelle Clark-Heard (Cincinnati).  Clark-Heard has done well wherever she's coached. 154-57 at WKU in six years. 32-15 at UC in two years. She also knows the ACC quite well, from her years as Jeff Walz's assistant. 


2) Lindsay Gottlieb (Cleveland Cavaliers).  She was a powerhouse coach at California before deciding to take a year to explore the NBA.

Is she thinking it's time to get back in the college dance with a team in a Power 5 conference? She sent a lot of Bears to the WNBA in her Cal days and could that could be a recruiting plus for Duke. 


3) Gail Goestenkors. You remember Gail, right? She was the architect for success at Durham before she left for Texas in 2007 and McCauley replaced her. She didn't get it done in five years with the Longhorns, but...at 57... says she's "re-charged, revitalized and ready to go" if a coaching job she had interest in should develop. Duke fans would probably welcome her back. She's been out a coaching, though since 2012...

Maybe Fred Flintstone could take the vacant Duke job and
install a new cheer..."Yabba Dabba Duke!" 

Or...do the Blue Devils emulate UNC and go after a young and upcoming coach who has done well at a lesser power?  Maybe they hand the reigns to former all-world great Alana Beard, now retired from the WNBA...who played for both Gail and McCauley at Duke? 

I'm not trying to "start" something here, just having a little open speculation on who will be the next coach to sit on the bench inside Cameron? 

Let's just hope some sub-human doesn't fall out of his/her tree and start pushing the worn-out, idiotic "Jeff Walz to..." boulder uphill again. I wonder if a certain moronic "journalist" from rural Mississippi is still around, making up lies and running around with a Confederate flag serving as a diaper? 


We shall see....


FINALLY...

Have a safe, enjoyable and responsible fourth of July!

paulie
xxxxx





  

Gaby Vincent -- Manatee Squeeze -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

VINCENT GETTING HER KICKS WITH ROYALS

Don't let the article sub-title fool you. Louisville women's soccer great Gaby Vincent isn't hanging out at Buckingham Palace or sitting down for tea with the Queen. 

She's another Cardinal in the pros and is playing defender for the Utah Royals in the National Women's Soccer League. The eight-team league is going through qualification rounds and Gaby and the Royals tied the Houston Dash in a 3-3 thriller in their first contest. Former NC State star Tziarra King had the tying goal for Utah. How fitting ...a "King" playing for the Royals, right? 

All eight teams (the Royals, Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Portland Thorns and the un-designated with any particular city -- Reign and Sky Blue) are centered in Utah. They're playing all the league matches at Zion Bank Stadium in Herriman, UT ( a suburb of Salt Lake City). No fans in the stands for the matches. 

The league has drawn media attention for allowing players to remain in the locker room or kneeling during the opening National Anthem. 

NWSL Games can be streamed on CBS All-Access. The Royals return to action on the fourth of July against the New Jersey based Sky Blue FC. 


NO SQUEEZING BY FOR MANATEE LAST NIGHT

In the FGCL Softball action last night, the Manatee Squeeze romped the Lynx last night 7-0. A four-run second inning, highlighted by a grand-slam home run for Stormy Kotzenick (Washington) proved to be all Manatee pitcher Jenna Greene (Presbyterian College) needed in the complete game, two-hit effort from  the circle. 

Louisville Cardinal Jordyn Wolfe went 1 for 4 in the win for Manatee, starting in right-field. Paige Schindler made an appearance at the plate and played first base for the Squeeze late in the contest, but failed to get a hit. 

The Manatee Squeeze are 7-2 on the second and are in second place in the league being the FGCL Myakka City RiverMocs (10-1) who won 5-1 last night. 

Games can be viewed on-line at Stream Live Tampa and you can follow Game Changer for stats and recaps.


KAREN FERGUSON DAYES TELECONFERENCE

Louisville head women's soccer coach Karen Ferguson Dayes takes to Zoom today for a scheduled 1:30 p.m. teleconference. 

Jared Anderson will review and report tomorrow on it -- providing his Internet is back up and functioning. If not, ol' Paulie will be back in the batters cage for you with the article.


Have a wonderful Wednesday!


paulie
xxxxx