Cats blank Louisville Softball -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

UK 9 -- LOUISVILLE 0 

Tuesday night was a beautiful night -- weather wise -- out at Ulmer Stadium. 

The result of the contest wasn't so great for the Cards, though. They ran into a buzz-saw in UK pitcher Stephanie Schoonover in the circle, and #8/12 UK got a five-inning win over the Cards 9-0. She held UofL hitless in the five innings. 

The Cats were "on" with their bats from the jump, touching UofL staring pitcher Taylor Roby for five runs and two home runs in the top of the first inning. UK stayed hot at the plate in the visitor half of the second inning and the book was closed on Roby after two innings and a 7-0 Wildcat lead. 

Freshman Sam Booe was given the assignment to try and shut the Cats down next and she did a little better, allowing just two runs over the next three innings on three hits, but it was a night where the Cards could not generate any offense and they fell to UK -- generating just two base-runners...Carmyn Greenwood and Vanessa each drawing a base on balls. 

Tough to watch for the 90 minutes the two squads were on the field, if you're a Louisville fan. The Cards also had two fielding errors in front of a Ulmer Stadium crowd of 1,130 and those who caught the ACCNX stream on it. 

Time to tear off the rear view mirror on that one and not look back. ACC foe Syracuse comes in for a three-game weekend series and Louisville (21-17) will look to move up the ACC standings from eighth place against the 11th place Orange. The top ten teams qualify for the ACC Tournament, so Louisville needs to try and get a sweep here to move closer to seventh place Georgia Tech, who is 8-10 in conference play.  Louisville is 5-7. 

(photos by Jared Anderson)

FIVE WBB CARDS NAMED TO ALL ACC ACADEMIC TEAM

They not only get it done on the hardwood, but also in the classroom, these Louisville women's basketball players. 

Emily Engstler, Chelsie Hall, Kianna Smith, Haley Van Lith and Kasa Robinson have been named to the prestigious All-ACC Academic Team. 

To make this team, a student-athlete needs to earn a 3.0 for the previous semester and have a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA during one's academic career. 

It is the second straight season all five have earned the award. 

This past fall, the Cards WBB squad had an collective 3.326 GPA. That's hitting the books hard, in addition to making the Final Four. 

I used to brag that I reached a 4.0 in my college years...I'd add the 2.0 GPA I'd get in the fall to the 2.0 GPA I'd get in the spring semester and -- voila! -- a 4.0 !!

Congratulations to Hailey, Kianna, Kasa, Emily, Chelsie and all the hard-working athletes on the Louisville campus. Making the grade -- on the field of competition and in the classroom 

paulie

Much Needed Day Off -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

A Much Needed Day Off


On rare occasion, we do see banks closed, and Memorial Day is one of those days.  As we took time yesterday to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country it was a much needed day of R&R for me.  In fact, most of the weekend went that route.

Outside of work Saturday morning I had a pretty slow Memorial Day weekend.  I explored the abandoned Glenmary Country Club with a friend and got spooked by a supernatural encounter !

We didn't see anything -- but the sounds of a glass bottle being thrown to the ground in an empty building (minus my friend and I) definitely had us feeling tense.  I concluded my Saturday puppy-sitting for my parents seven-month-old border collie.

Sunday started with a Zoom church service before I traveled to Richmond for graduation photos for a buddy of mine.  We discovered the EKU football stadium wide open so he was able to throw on his cap and gown while inside the stadium.

Photo by WKDQ.com

I got to sleep in for once on a Monday.  Due to the heat and humidity and another planned shoot, we went out to Cherokee Park and shot in Beargrass Creek- staying cool while getting some great shots!

My excitement level rose when I found out that the restaurant Mt Fuji on campus reopened so I raced to campus to enjoy some hibachi chicken before concluding my holiday weekend on the couch.

My short visit to campus made me miss sports more than I already do, especially when I spotted a rainbow over Ulmer Stadium.  I paused at the roundabout to snag a picture on my phone.  Hopefully it was a sign that we will have fall sports?

It's back to work for me today as we enjoy our final days of the lobbies being closed.  The official reopening date is not set but we do know it will be early-to-mid-June.  Still no haircut for me... yet.

As we go through these days of lack-of-womens-sports news and scores -- it's not anything we haven't experienced before here at the site. These months are traditional for us looking at other items of our lives. Thanks for bearing with me today!


Remember to stay safe and have a good Tuesday!  Go Cards!

Jared

Jared's Weekly Edition of the history of UofL women's sports -- USA U 19 over Canada 81-46 -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL -- A HISTORY OF -- by JARED ANDERSON

Louisville Softball was founded in 2000 as part of a mass addition of sports programs shortly after Tom Jurich took over as athletic director in 1997. They prepare to enter their 20th season this upcoming school year.

Sandy Pearsall had been a head coach at Miami (OH) for the previous six seasons and was brought in to build the program from the ground up. And she did just that. Pearsall built a strong program that saw plenty of time nationally ranked and commonly appeared in NCAA Tournaments. The Cards won several championships during her reign and spent time in the Big East, AAC, and ACC. Pearsall recently retired following the end of the 2018 season. She finished her time at UofL with 718 wins.

Holly Aprile came in from Pittsburgh for the start of the 2018 season. She is only the second head coach for the softball team. During her first year as head coach the Cards upset rival Kentucky and took down Florida State twice in a three-game series. She prepares for her second season as head coach.

Softball has had one home in it’s entire history. Ulmer Stadium is part of Cardinal Park and was constructed solely for softball. When the Cards played their first home game it was the first UofL event at any part of Cardinal Park. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 2500 people and has been the host site for conference and NCAA Tournament games. Ulmer Stadium has also played host to high school softball events as well.

There have been seven All-American selection at UofL. Alicja Wolny and Katie Keller are the most recent with their selections in 2013. Wolny is a favorite to make the Great Britain Olympic team.

Louisville’s first win was a 1-0 victory against Western Illinois in their second ever game. They got wrecked 10-2 by Alabama in their very first game but finished the year with a winning record. 2002 and 2003 would end up being the only losing seasons in program history. The 55-5 record in 2012 has been the best season to date.

The Cards return a solid lineup for the 2020 season, despite graduation of "do-it-all" star Megan Hensley and Sidney Melton at "the hot corner". They return the NCAA leader in triples last season -- Celene Funke -- and eight starters. The pitching staff loses just Hensley and the incoming freshmen and transfers will create a  spirited competition to gain playing time. 

Even in their short history the Cards have faced a great deal of opponents. Their 27 wins against USF is the most against an individual opponent while their 25 losses against DePaul is the most losses. Their head-to-head record with rival Kentucky is even.

You can catch Paulie and Worldwide in the press box, often accompanied by Cardinal Couple friend Daryl Foust. You can find myself somewhere near the field taking pictures or cheering in the stands. Admission is usually free to softball games....the UK matchup  and NCAA Regional play would be exceptions to that. 

USA 81 - CANADA 46

Jeff Walz has always placed great emphasis on the squads he has coached playing solid defense. He got that early this morning when his FIBA USA U 19 squad crushed Canada 81-46 to advance to the semifinals in World Cup action.

USA held the Canadians to 16 first-half points.

"We did exactly what we have to do in order to win" Walz commented after the win.

After falling behind early 4-2, Walz's squad took control of the action and led 26-9 after the first quarter. They continued the defensive pressure and took the next ten minutes 24-7 over Canada. The Canadians shot just 30% from the floor for the game -- USA went 36-72 for 50%. Walz's squad had 13 steals and forced 22 Canadian turnovers.

Rhyne Howard rediscovered her shooting touch after an off-night against Germany with 14 points on 6-8 shooting. She hit two of her three trifecta attempts. Queen Egbo recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. USA out-rebounded Canada 52-29.

The USA U 19 squad advances to play Belgium...who knocked off Japan this morning 63-43. The other two semifinalist squads are Spain and Australia .  

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

Jared

Louisville Softball Wins Three -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDS SWEEP DAY, SERIES AGAINST THE RAMBLIN WRECK

It is a rarity in the college softball world to play three games in one day.

It's even rarer for one team to win all three contests, but that's what the Louisville Softball team did on Easter Sunday at Ulmer Stadium on the Don Dobina Field against Georgia Tech.

Louisville head coach Holly Aprile couldn't ever remember doing it in her college coaching career. Cardinal third baseman Sidney Melton had never played in and won three on the same day.  A 6 1/2 hour time frame on the same day was long and tiring for the teams. But, that's what the Red and Black accomplished...with a 11-7, 7-2 and 11-10 whitewash of the YellowJackets from Atlanta. 

Action began promptly at 10 a.m. yesterday, a swirling and almost mysterious fog sweeping across the dirt infield from the warming dirt and humid but dry conditions.You couldn't see downtown from the press box -- that much fog still remained in the Louisville area -- but the Cards held a 10-5 lead from the Friday afternoon came that was stopped because of rain. The scenario began with no outs, Georgia Tech at bat and runners on second and third.

Danielle Watson was in the circle for the Cards and promptly walked the first batter she faced. With the bags full of YellowJackets, the situation looked ominous and the atmosphere tense. 

Watson and her teammates got out of the dire circumstances, though, getting three straight outs, two of them strikeouts, and allowing just one run. The ominous monster had not risen from the fog and engulfed the Cards. They still led 10-6

Charley Butler began the top of the fifth with a single and proceeded around the bases to score for the Cards, using a Tech throwing error and run down of Melton trying to steal second after a walk. 11-6. The visitors loomed large again in the top the sixth -- a double and single cut the Cards lead to four again. 

The Cards went down in order in the bottom of the sixth, producing three attempts that never got out if the infield, but held court in the top of the seventh as Watson collected two more "K's" and just a walk. It was an early preview of the kind of day Watson was going to produce in the circle and the Cards won 11-7 in the "continuation" game. 

************************************************************************************************************

Louisville started game two with Watson in the circle again and decided to put this one out of reach early. After she set the Jackets down with a 1-2-3 top of the first, Louisville exploded for five runs on three walks and three hits. Bulter's single to right drove home two Cardinal runners and a booming double from Maddy Newman to right center had the Cards in great shape. 

Watson was "on" in the circle and was dispensing strike outs. Tech managed just two runs and two hits in the seven-inning second contest, the sophomore pitcher from Osceola, IN. punched out 11 Tech participants to tie her career strike out record. Louisville tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Newman and Celene Funke scored -- aided by a clutch single from Melton and a run-down on an attempted steal of second by Melton. 

7-2 Cards, with Watson going the distance and picking up her second win of the day.


************************************************************************************************************


Georgia Tech decided they'd try the "big lead early" scenario in the final game of Easter Sunday. They rocked starting pitcher Megan Hensley, who was relieved in the circle with just one out by Taylor Roby, and when the fog had cleared, the Cards found themselves in a 5-0 hole.

Louisville was undaunted, however. They struck back for four runs in the bottom of the first. Doubles by Funke, Melton and Roby, a walk to Hensley and a Taylor Roby single produced the damage. 

While Roby held the G.T. squad scoreless over the next few innings, the Cards continued to chip away at the lead and regain it. Roby smashed a home run to left center to tie it in the second. The Cards took the lead in the bottom of the third 6-5 when Rebecca Chung powered a double to deep center and scored on a Cassady Greenwood sacrifice fly. 

Then, Tech woke up for the second time in the game. Three singles filled the bags and a sacrifice fly tied it up again. Crosby Huckabay came to the plate and absolutely crushed a ball to left center that bounced off the top of the Ulmer Stadium scoreboard for a grand slam. UofL found themselves in a 10-6 trailing situation going into the bottom of the fourth.


These birds weren't done flying, though.

Back-to-back home runs from Hensley and Chung cut the Tech lead to 11-8. After holding the softball version of the Rambling Wreck scoreless in the top of the fifth, Louisville came to the plate needing two to tie and three to take the lead. 

At this time, another aspect developed. 

The visitors, it seemed, had a flight to catch back to Atlanta. They needed to end this one at 4:25 p.m. to get to the airport in time. The Georgia Tech assistant S.I.D. sitting next to me in the press box was nervous and watching the clock. Holly Aprile decided not to tell her squad about the intended Georgia Tech sudden departure until the Cards came to bat in the bottom of the fifth. Why put any undue pressure on the squad, right? 

This bottom of the fifth inning started out pretty rough for Louisville. Funke grounded out to the Tech pitcher. Melton lifted a lazy fly to center that was caught. Two down. But Megan Hensley wasn't ready to tote the equipment bag back to the Koetter Center yet and drilled a sharp single to left. Roby followed suit and singled to center. Caitlin Ferguson drew a walk from Tech hurler Brooke Barfield. With the bases loaded, Chung came to the plate and calmly drove one deep to right center. It soared past the fielders and the Cardinal runners were flying as well. Chung had emptied the bases with a double and Louisville led 11-10. 

The teams started the top of the sixth -- but with Georgia Tech batting, with one out and one on -- Georgia Tech head coach Aileen Morales came out of the dugout at 4:26 p.m., motioned to the home plate umpire that they were done and the teams lined up for the post game handshakes. 

Tech scampered to the bus. 11-10 the final tally and the Cards had swept the day.

A full day of Softball. A total of 53 runs scored in the series. The Cards go to 31-15 and 11-7 in the ACC. That's a pretty good Easter Sunday. As if in agreement, the sun broke out and smiled down upon us as we conducted the post game interviews. 

A Cardinal squad that is 9-3 in April. UofL Softball has won seven of their last night. It would seem that Aprile is doing well in April. 


(TODAY'S PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON)



THEY SAID IT 

Holly Aprile discusses the wins:  HOLLY APRILE POST SERIES 4/21/19

Sidney Melton Post Game (with a cameo by Celene Funke): SIDNEY MELTON DISCUSSES THE WINS 4/21/19



paulie
xxxxx 

Louisville Softball 8 - Kentucky 7 -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

TAYLOR ROBY'S WALK OFF SINGLE PUSHES CARDS PAST CATS 8-7

This Louisville Softball team has a flair for dramatics, it seems. 

Patron saint of photographers Scott Utterback does work. 

The lot of them could probably do well as theater majors on the Belknap Campus -- keeping the crowd engrossed in this entertaining mystery that, at times, neither team seemed to want to in or lose. Plot twists, heroes, villains, comic relief and a spectacular ending in this three act, who-will-emerge victorious nail-biter. 

Another instant classic, from these softball student-athletes. 



In a back and forth, see-saw slug-fest against UK last night at Ulmer Stadium, the Cards struck last -- and best -- when they broke a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the seventh. Celene Funke raced home from second base on a Taylor Roby single to center with two outs to end the contest -- before a screaming, on-the-edge of their seats crowd of over 1200. Someone call a producer, a director and let's get a made-for-TV movie out on this "three hour" tour of drama, intrigue, fright, mystery and...ultimately, triumph. 

ACT I -- THE STORM. 

The Cats were the first to rattle the fences in the newly named Don Dobina Field (more on that later). Louisville pitcher Danielle Watson was having trouble negotiating terms with the strike zone and UK used two walks and a single from protagonist Katie Reed to grab a 2-0 lead before the stands were halfway full.

Undaunted, the UofL players turned the firm of Funke, Melton and Hensley loose on the case and they evened the feud at 2-2, aided by associate Rebecca Chung, who performed a magic act with a perfect bunt that allowed Melton to outfox the UK infield and score. 

The second inning brought more gripping moments, thunder and lightning action. Watson saw the bags fill up with Cats and a run scamper home after two walks, two singles and just one out. It looked dangerous on the horizon, so skipper of the boat Holly Aprile went to the galley and brought Roby to the circle to bail water. UK batter Alex Martens wasn't quite ready to produce her lightning bolt yet and Reed allowed the bailing to gather up her offering to get Louisville out of the inning trailing 3-2 -- in a situation that could have been much, much worse.

In the bottom half of the second, Maddy Newman worked UK starter Grace Baalman for a walk, Funke decided that it was time to take the nation's lead in triples and smacked one to center...and then playfully danced home on Melton's slow infield roller that no one in the UK infield could seem to figure out what to do with. 

Tired of this Three Stooges comedy, UK head coach Rachel Lawson entered stage left and went for a change of channels and performers...sitting Baalman and turning to Autumn for relief (as in pitcher Autumn Humes). The final two piles of leaves were eventually raked up, but UofL held a 4-3 edge after the second inning. 

The storm front slightly weakened in the top of the third, with UK managing just one run at that at-bat. Right fielder Lauren Johnson pounded a "nearly outta here" triple to right center that got Keisee Henson around those square white things in the dirt for a home plate touch. Roby coolly gloved a line shot right back at her from Jenny Schaper to prevent "no more soup for Blue" but the Cats had managed to even out the see-saw at 4-4.

Louisville decided that, if runs were guns, they were going to bring an arsenal to the affair in the bottom of the third. They decided to hold the "gunfight at the Ulmer corral" with two outs, as well. Funke produced a single to center, stole second and touched the plate on a booming Melton double.

Remember those two actors, they come into play later.

Not to be outdone, right fielder Megan Hensley rides her horse to the right center wall for a triple and motions for Roby to bring the rest of the cavalry. Roby responds and her triple to center clears the bases. The wide-eyed citizens of "Dobina-ville" emerged from the twister to see a 7-4 Cardinal lead on the main billboard in town. 

ACT II -- THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

The plot changes after Martens takes the microphone for a solo performance of "How far was the home run I hit to right field?" in UK's top of the fourth. 

After her four-bagger, the clouds clear, the pitchers are sending the batters back to the dugouts with dust in their pockets. and "0-fers by their names and we see just one hit combined from both teams in the next five at-bats for the squads. 

It's quite the different pace, this smooth sailing. The chatter on the berm in the outfield is relaxed and the Louisville Fire Department, with two trucks and ten guys, takes in the action from right field, off Arthur Street. Aprile decides to rest Roby after 75 pitches, brings back Watson to the circle...but still no threat of impending stormy weather. It's almost like Jimmy Buffet concert on a sunny day in the park. Where are the beach balls and frisbees? Red #1 Louisville foam fingers dance in the breeze. Those UK clouds forming on the horizon? Forget about them, it's nothing. 

Still 7-5 Louisville as the teams go to the top of the seventh. Three outs to go and the Cards are victorious. I should really know better, by now...after watching this team all season...to think that's going to come about with ease and no drama involved. 


ACT III -- HANG ON FOR YOUR LIVES !!

Who gave UK Freddy Kruger, Jason and Chucky's phone numbers? 

Unwilling to traipse quietly back to the buses waiting to haul them back to Lexington, the Cats brought in a threatening storm front. Vick singles, Johnson nearly puts one out for a double and it's 7-6. Schaper blasts a high, deep rocket to center and in what I'll call "the catch"...Funke sprints to the wall and makes an amazing catch  for the second out...but the runner tags and scores. We got a ball game. 7-7. The Cards get Cheek to ground out, but the damage has been done. The UK fans in attendance are creating a ruckus. Louisville, backs to the wall, staring at extra innings....has one last chance. 

It happens. 

After Newman grounds out. Funke decides she is not in favor of playing bonus ball and singles to center. Melton embraces the "end-it-here" concept and smacks an opposite field, solid single to left to move Funke to second. The Cats stop the action, huddle around Humes in the circle and Melton and Funke are high fiving and chest bumping on the base paths. One'll do it. Two chances. 

Hensley digs in, works the count but chases a high one, misses and there are two outs.

It's down to this at bat to end it or continue it.

Enter the redshirt freshman from Mt. Washington. Roby strides to the plate. A tired Roby, after hurling 3.2 innings of ball, throwing 75 pitches and facing a "it's now or extras" scenario. On a 0-1 pitch, she taps a shot up the middle of the diamond, that flies by Humes in the circle, eludes middle infielders Reed and Martens and rolls into center-field. UK center-fielder Sarah Rainwater comes dashing in to retrieve it. She knows a throw to home to get out Funke is the only thing that can save UK now. 

Celene Funke has one speed. One notch on the gear-shifter and that is "D". She drives around third, no hesitation or thought of stopping -- and accelerates toward home. Schaper waits at the plate for the throw, the throw arrives but Funke's speed gets her to the plate ahead of the tag and....BOOM! ...it is over.

8-7 Cards! The Cards win, the CARDS win !!! Victory secured

Pandemonium and celebration erupts from the Cardinals on the field. The Cardinal fans are going crazy and this Oscar-type performance has drawn to a close. 

Somewhere, Don Dobina is smiling. Roby, the gal who carves his first name in back of the pitching circle with her toe before throwing, has sent him a tribute. 

Hollywood couldn't have written this one any better. Somewhere, Don is smiling and raising an "L" in celebration. 

A mid-week, out of conference win. Yeah, sure...some will view it only as that. In terms of the in-state rivalry and with emphasis on how this Cardinal Softball team refuses to yield and never stops fighting, though -- it was much, much more. 


(PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON AND GREATLY APPRECIATED!) 


THEY SAID IT

Holly Aprile discusses the win over UK LINK below

HOLLY POST GAME

Taylor Roby and Celene Funke discuss the 8-7 win LINK below

FUNKE AND ROBY

UofL highlight footage of the win LINK below

LOUISVILLE 8 - UK 7



REMEMBERING DON DOBINA

Prior to the game, a field ceremony and dedication was held for Don Dobina and the field was named Don Dobina Field as a tribute to the softball pioneer who passed away in 2016.

Don founded and was president of the Louisville Lady Sluggers Softball Club. He worked tirelessly toward the development of fast pitch softball. Dobina made it possible for hundreds of girls to have the chance to get scholarships and attend more than 70 universities. Seven players in last night's contest, representing both squads, benefited under the tutelage and teachings of Don. 

A fitting tribute to "Cardinal Forever" Don Dobina. His work shall not go unforgotten.



paulie
xxxxx






  

Louisville Softball vs. Kentucky tonight -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards vs Cats on the Softball Diamond

Tonight at 6:00 p.m. Louisville softball will host arch-rival Kentucky at Ulmer Stadium for a showdown between the state’s top two teams.  Fans will scramble for what few tickets remain in hopes to catch a glimpse of the action.

The Wildcats enter the game ranked 24^th in the country and hold a 26-17 record on the season.  Of those 17 losses 12 come against ranked opponents.  They sit at 9-9 in one of the strongest softball conferences in the modern era, the SEC.

Overall, Kentucky’s pitching has been consistently good.  The five-person lineup holds a 4.16 ERA as opposed to opponents’ 7.97.  This young group has struck out 207 batters on the season (almost 5 per game) with Grace Baalman leading the charge with 77 on the year.  Kentucky holds opponents to a .248 batting average but opponents have scored often once a runner reaches base.

Abbey Cheek’s .482 batting average makes her threat every appearance at the plate.  She ranks fifth in the country with that mark.  Cheek’s 16 home runs puts her in a tie for 11^th in the NCAA.  Her on-base percentage of .628 ranks second.  Her 41 walks almost tallies one per game and is fourth in the country.

Kentucky’s offense averages 7.05 runs per game, putting them 12^th in the country. 

Louisville comes into the game with a 27-15 record and is coming off back-to-back conference series victories.  Their 8-7 conference record places them sixth in the ACC, although their .659-win percentage on the 2019 season is fourth-best in the conference.

Celene Funke remains tied for first in the country with nine triples.  Sidney Melton comes in tied for 28^th in the country with four.  Melton is first on the team with a .331 batting average.  Four Cardinals hit between .310-.320.  Funke and Melton are swiftly approaching the 50-hit mark with 47 and 45, respectively. 

In the circle, the Cards have a combined 2.74 ERA.  The crew has a combined 243 strikeouts with Danielle Watson’s 116 contributing almost half of the total.  Louisville has held opponents to a .223 batting average.

As a team, Louisville averages .56 triples per game, second best in the country.  They have batted .283, a mark that should hopefully improve in the future.  The Cards like to run and have successfully stolen 77 bases on 90 attempts compared to opposing teams going 33-42.

Plan to arrive early to accommodate for parking and a larger crowd.  The outfield berm area is considered outside of the stadium and is free for anyone to hang out.  This game will be aired on ACC Network Extra and is the first time Holly Aprile gets to face the Cats in the regular season.

Tonight's game is a "red-out" event, so choose your outfit appropriately. UofL is also offering a "swap out"...bring a UK shirt, hat or such and you can swap it out for something in red at the tables inside Ulmer Stadium -- located close to where you first walk in. (That swap-out probably doesn't include relatives or neighbors). 

National Champion Ladybirds

Let's hope softball can do what their baseball counterparts did last night (W 18-6) but preferably not as long as the four and a half hours the game in Lexington took last night.  Tonight's game will be my 59th photography event of 2019... I know, I'm slacking..

The Cats have won the last three games in the series. Last year, UK blanked the Cards 8-0 in Lexington. Kentucky holds a 20-19 edge in the series lifetime, the Cards have a 10-9 edge in games played at Ulmer Stadium

CARDINAL COUPLE will have a pretty large contingent on hand for the annual battle tonight.  Paulie, Worldwide, and myself should all be in attendance for this game. Our radio-show  regular and Ky Women Talk Sports show host Daryl Foust will also be in attendance. She also contributes over at THE CRUNCH ZONE -- check her out!

If you can't get a ticket for the event, it looks like a great night ahead for hitting the outfield berm, it is dog-friendly and you just never know who you might run into out there! Why not head to Floyd Street and take in the rivalry?

There is a small fee for parking right across the street at the appropriately named Floyd Street Garage, which opens approximately an hour before game time for parking for the event.

"A very exhausted" Jared

Louisville Softball -- Interview with Holly Aprile Head Softball Coach -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

THE HOLLY APRILE INTERVIEW

I got a chance to catch up with Louisville Softball head coach Holly Aprile recently to talk about her preparation, thoughts and activities toward the start of the 2019 season. A season that will rival any of the on-campus sports in terms of playing on the road early. 

Louisville will start the season in Fullerton, CA. in the Titan Classic on Feb 8th. and visit Chapel Hill, NC, and Knoxville, TN for classic and challenge action before returning back to Ulmer for the home schedule opener against Indiana State on March 1st. 

She has a team for 2019 that has several returning letter-winners that paced the Cards last year and experience at several positions. Also on campus are six freshmen, who will battle for starting roles on the diamond. 

The Cards roster lists six pitchers, all who were on the squad last year and either saw time in the circle or sat out as red shirts. Megan Hensley leads the "hurling" group and the senior has recorded 26 wins over the last two seasons. Names you're sure to remember from last year that are back include Maddy Newman, Riley and Paige Schindler, Sid Melton, Caitlin Ferguson, Celine Funke, Madison Cousineau, Danielle Watson and Kyra Snyder.  

As you listen to the interview, some key points to listen for: 

-- What tournaments (and why they are in them) are the Cards starting the season off with?

-- Coach's thoughts on starting a season in a warmer climate

-- Who will the Cards face in the ACC /Big 10 Challenge? 

-- Who are some of the returning Cards on the roster? 

-- Who will take the pitching circle for Louisville? 

-- What role could senior Blaire Bass play on the squad? 

-- Coach's thoughts on UofL hitting power this season

-- The freshmen and her observations on them

-- Holly's coaching style

-- Her message to Cardinal fans 


A great time talking softball with Coach Aprile but we didn't get a single overhead plane roar, train horn or emergency vehicle siren make an audio appearance in the 14 minute chat. Plenty of time for that, of course, during the season at Ulmer. The Cards will play 22 home games on the ballpark at the corner of Floyd and Brandeis Streets. 


The roster breakdown by class is:  five freshmen, seven sophomores, two juniors and five seniors. 

The geographical breakdown of where the players are from is:  Indiana (5), Kentucky (4), North Carolina (2), Louisiana (2), California (2) and (1) each from Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Alabama and Illinois. 


A special thanks to softball S.I.D. Lori Korte for making the arrangements and sitting in with us for the interview. 

You can listen to the Interview at the link below: 

LINK: December Interview with UofL Softball's Holly Aprile


paulie
xxxxx









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Softball Interview with head coach Holly Aprile -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

INTERVIEW WITH HOLLY APRILE

Cardinal Couple had the chance to catch up with Louisville head softball coach Holly Aprile Tuesday afternoon to discuss softball and the UofL fall exhibition schedule. 

The Cards played EKU at Richmond, KY on Sunday and split with the Colonels 5-0, 4-5 according to reports. A chance for Aprile and the staff to see all the players in action and face some competition other than themselves.

Speaking of intra-squad competition, Softball will have a Red vs. Black scrimmage on Saturday around 12:30 p.m.. 

Admission is free. Be advised that concessions will not be open, though, and the event was designed primarily for player's families to attend...although you are welcome to stop by. 

My interview with Coach Aprile (also known as Paulie talks to Holly) took place on the Ulmer Stadium field on a bright and warm day. Softball S.I.D. Lori Korte caught some of it on video, so look for a segment of that to maybe surface on Go Cards or elsewhere. We have the audio version in today's article.

As you listen, here are a few listening points: 

-- How did the scrimmage goes against EKU? 

-- Coach Aprile has been here two months..how's the move from Pittsburgh going?

-- What aspects of "Holly-ball" can Cardinal fans look forward to this fall and in the regular season? 

-- The upcoming fall contests for the "Hit and Pitch" Cards.

-- What players are mentioned ? (two are returnees, one red-shirted last year).

-- How is Coach adapting to campus?

-- Did coach celebrate National Cheeseburger Day and where's a spot she enjoys eating? 


A great afternoon to talk a little softball with Coach Holly Aprile on a day that would have been pretty ideal to "play two"! We appreciate the chance to get together with her and a special thanks to Lori Korte for setting it up. LINK TO AUDIO BELOW: 

HOLLY APRILE INTERVIEW


paulie
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ACC Spring Meetings -- What's Going On?...Another leaves Rocky Top -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

The coaches and muckity-mucks of the ACC have descended upon beautiful Amelia Island in Florida...located on the northeast coast of Florida and one of the Sea Islands...and the Ritz-Carelton for the annual spring meetings. As expcted, football and basketball is drawing most of the print and publicity. 

Roy Williams doesn't much care for this yearly con-fab and said he's leaving after day one. Football wants to tinker with the red-shirt rule. They'll also discuss the football collaborative reply rule they experimented with last year. 

The two big items to be discussed would appear to be HB2 and the future of THe ACC Network. 

HB2 is a law passed in North Carolina which, in short, mandates that transgenders must use the bathroom associated with the gender listed on their birth certificate. This bill has made the NCAA, ACC and NBA come out with the stance that their intentions were to avoid having athletic events in the state because of the discriminatory language in the bill. 

We saw the ACC women's basketball tournament moved to Conway, SC. The ACC Baseball Tournament will take place next week in Louisville, KY. The ACC is located in Greensboro. The ACC Softball and Lacrosse Tournaments remained in North Carolina. 

OK, enough potty talk...

The ACC Network is sure to be a hot topic items as well...especially in the wake of ESPN terminating around 100 people earlier this month. The key here, of course, is scheduling. The 2019 launch is still a "go", though...regardless of what bathroom the cameraman or color analyst chooses to use. 

You want to be able to present the games on your network that people want to watch. Not only in conference scheduling but also in the non-conference matchups. In all sports. 

We're not wearing blinkers or blinders here. We realize that football and men's basketball are the cash cows in any conference. Especially in the ACC. But, what about softball, lacrosse...field hockey and volleyball? Will the ACC Network do a better job than what we are seeing so far on the ACC Network Extra?

Let's go back a week. What was I able to watch on the ACC Network Extra that I was interested in? I was "blocked out" from the ACC Softball Tournament...but found it on Fox Sports South. The first round of the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament, which featured six ACC teams wasn't available on the ACC Network Extra and was a pay for view event for Louisville fans...unless you accessed it through your cell phone or tablet instead of your laptop or computer. 

I got to see the ACC women's rowing championships. Those are fun for me...but the commentators were "sweet, sunny Jesse, hog-calling awful". ACC Track and Field was available for watching as well. I missed most of that, but did catch Emmonnie Henderson's winning shot put throw. 

Louisville is sinking ACC mandated money into to improvements, upgrades and new broadcast and communications facilities on campus. Maybe they could also put bathrooms (transgender, single access unisex and/or traditional) in Ulmer Stadium and at the Louisville Lacrosse Field. Field Hockey's Trager Stadium has them...and a nearby McDonald's if you're on the other side of the stadium from the seating. Lynn Stadium and Jim Patterson have restrooms also. 

(Sorry, I keep drifting back to the bathroom in this article. At my age, it becomes important. One of the first things I do when I go to an opponent's arena, stadium of facility is make sure I know "if the loo is close to you")

And, is this ACC Network going to be something else I have to purchase and inflate my already eye-popping monthly cable, phone and internet provider's bill? I've watched the SEC Network and BIG Ten Networks. I'm impressed with a lot lot of programming on each venue. Can the ACC match or better this? Will ESPN have another round of pink slip delivery before 2019? Will they offer the current very good local ACC Network Extra announcers (like Don Russell, Daryl Foust, Christian Payne, Patty Norton, Sean Moth...etc..) a chance to call games on the ACC Network (sans Extra)?

So, at least they have convened at a pretty nice resort. $600 a night. We run Cardinal Couple on a tightly controlled budget of $1500 a year. Guess I'd be checking out after the second day. Walz and Pitino should have great weather to get in a little golf. Maybe they'll find a outdoor hoops court where Rick can show off his new no-look pass skills and play Jeff in a rousing game of "21". Jeff could show off his half-court shot. How about a pickup game of Walz, Pitino and Justine Sowry against Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, Mike Brey and Muffet McGraw? 

Women's sports will be largely ignored this week. Season tickets will probably go up slightly to cover the cost of bringing "all the boys to the convention" and wining and dining them for about a week. I doubt there will be a investigation/probe into how all 13 SEC softball teams made the NCA Tournament and Louisville didn't. And, most importantly...

Just how are the bathrooms at the Ritz-Carlton designated? Did everyone bring your birth certificates? 



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TE'A COOPER LEAVES ROCKY TOP

The sophomore guard is leaving the Vols after sitting out a season. 

Cooper's decision is unusual, considering she missed last season after undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament. She suffered the injury during the summer following her freshman season. 

The 5-foot-8 point guard averaged 8.6 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals while playing in 36 games during the 2015-16 season. She started 15 games.

Cooper's decision comes less than a month after fellow guard Alexa Middleton announced she was transferring to go "somewhere to reach the goals I have set."

Tennessee, which had just nine available players last season, now is down to 11 players for next season. The latest attrition, along with Jordan Reynolds' graduation, has left the Lady Vols low on point guard experience for next season.

"Not another one, Holly?" 

Incoming freshmen Evina Westbrook and Anastasia Hayes both are point guards. One or both could end up starting, depending on how UT deploys its returnees.


Any Louisville interest here? 

September 2013: Cooper reopened her recruitment after giving a verbal to North Carolina as an eighth-grader. She is still considering UNC but also has 10 other schools on her list. In no order they are: Tennessee, Duke, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Florida State, South Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky, Rutgers and Pittsburgh.

paulie
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