Softball Concludes Season with Win -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Photo by NBC / Getty Images / Justin Casterline

Happy Monday!... or something like that. The Monday after Derby weekend should be recognized as a holiday due to the fact we could all use an extra recovery day. Over 107,000 in attendance for the Kentucky Oaks, over 156,000 in attendance for the Kentucky Derby, and a record number of bets placed worldwide means it was another successful Derby season here in 'The Ville'.

Paulie had some solid picks for those of you who partake in those types of events. Sadly, I ended up in the hole just a little bit- an Andrew Jackson and an Alexander Hamilton, but that's the risk you take. A head bob at the finish line may or may not go your way and this year did not go my way.

As you can tell, this is not Paulie. He and Sonya made a quick trip up to Cincinnati early this morning so he made a call to the bullpen for the day.

Softball Goes Out with a Bang, Wins Big

It may have come a day late and a dollar short, but Louisville softball earned a win yesterday. The Cards took down Boston College 11-4 in the series finale to conclude the regular season 27-25. They were one game away from qualifying for the ACC Tournament (they finished 11th in the conference), and as Jeff mentioned yesterday, the Cards are considered eligible to make the NCAA Tournament but realistically have little chance of getting in.

Louisville wasted no time in putting a run on the scoreboard. Daisy Hess and Bailee Richardson led the game off with back-to-back walks. Riley Frizell hit a single to the outfield, which scored Hess. Boston College evened the score later that inning with a solo home run.

In the third inning, Richardson's second walk came at an opportune time due to a Vanessa Miller home run later in the inning. The Cards did give up a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Louisville answered in the top half of the following inning to regain the lead 4-3 thanks to a solo shot by Gabby Holloway.

Singles by Hess and Richardson and a walk by Frizell loaded the bases in the sixth inning. Holloway's sac fly helped the Cards push the lead to 5-3 before the Eagles hit a home run that same inning to bring the score within one.

The seventh inning proved to be a good one as the Cards put up a six spot. Kiley Goff and Mia Forsythe opened the inning with back-to-back singles. A Jac Hasty fielder's choice ended up with Goff out at third but runners still on first and second. Hess came up and made the most out of her final collegiate plate appearance, hitting a three-run home run. Keep in mind that the Cards held a one-run lead entering the inning so this "touch 'em all" gave Louisville a four-run advantage. Richardson and Frizell walked after that and were driven in on a double by Miller, who then was able to advance to third. Holloway hit another sac fly to plate Miller.

Brooke Gray was able to complete the full game in the final inning with many thanks to a game-ending play at the plate. The win is Gray's fourth of the season.

It was a great final game for Louisville's eight seniors. Their stats are as follows:

-Daisy Hess (3-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

-Bailee Richardson (1-1, 1B, 4 BB)

-Riley Frizell (1-3, 1 RBI, BB)

-Vanessa Miller (2-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI)

-Gabby Holloway (1-2, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

-Paige Geraghty (2-5)

-Kiley Goff (1-2, BB, HBP)

-Mia Forsythe (1-4)

-Bailee Richardson's four walks in the game tied a program record.

-Mia Forsythe recorded her first hit of the season.

-Kiley Goff was hit by a pitch for the 21st time this season, ranking second in program history.

-Riley Frizell led the team with 13 home runs and 49 rbis.

-Daisy Hess led the team with 34 walks this season, ranking fifth in program history.

-Vanessa Miller led the team with 13 stolen bases this season while also posting career bests with 11 home runs and 39 rbis.

This season certainly didn't end up how we had hoped, but the Cards did get wins against ranked opponents in Arizona, Duke, Florida State, and Clemson. Errors and not being able to close out games were the two big killers. The Cards lost 14 games by two runs or less or in extra innings. Louisville finished the year with 59 defensive errors and a .960 fielding percentage.

Cardinal Couple has reached out about potentially interviewing some of the graduating seniors in the coming weeks. We hope to hear back with good news soon!

Tune back in tomorrow to see what insight Paulie will offer for us.

Happy Monday and Go Cards!

Jared

Softball Finishes Season Today - Sunday Cardinal Couple

Softball's Last Game

Well, that's not a great headline to share, it certainly doesn't bring the joy and excitement, but it is pretty much the reality of the situation.

Softball will be finishing out their regular season schedule today at Boston College with a game starting at 11am.  Note that this is an hour earlier than originally planned due to potential weather in the area.  It will be on ACC Network Extra as usual.

Boston College has won the previous two games of the series in walk-off fashion, locking up their place in the ACC Championship.  Along with Syracuse and Notre Dame also locking in one of the last three spots in the 10 team tournament, that leaves Louisville just on the outside looking in, finishing out the season in 11th in the standings.

In yesterday's affair, Louisville led from the starting gate, getting nosed out at the finish with The Eagles tying it up in the bottom of the 7th, and then getting the walk-off game winner in the 8th.  Boston College took the win 4-3.

The Cards are still technically eligible for an NCAA tournament at-large bit with a final record of 27-25 or 26-26, depending on the outcome of today's game, but realistically, they'll be on the outside looking in of that one as well.  That makes today's game the final game of the season, though we can't say that in an officially official way until the Softball tournament selections are revealed, then it will be.

So today's game is largely meaningless for the Cards, though Boston College will be playing to try to get favorable seeding in the ACC tournament.  Then our attentions start to turn to next year.  How warm is this head coaching seat getting?  I, personally, don't think it's at full boil, yet, but I think the warmth can be felt.  Of course, I'm not in the AD office on Floyd Street.

We, of course, will bring you any information that we get about Softball in the coming off season.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

The CCRHP didn't happen yesterday as Derby Day is one of the days that we traditionally skip due to everyone going every which way to their various Derby Day festivities.  We'll be back with you next week bringing you what news there is from UofL Athletics, though it does start us into the dreaded "Summer Slump".

- JMcA

Paulie Picks/Handicapping Heroes Derby Results

It wasn't too awful a day for your intrepid handicapper in looking at the Derby Day Stakes races yesterday. I gave you 28 horses to look at over the nine stakes races and had four winners,four places and three shows. 

(No, Jeff was not there leading CARDS cheers..) 

i'm still wondering where Fierceness thought the finish line was in the Derby Race, i heard he's still running and somewhere off Taylor Blvd, right now, calling an Uber. ...but what a finish in the 150th Kentucky Derby. A three-way, throw a blanket over them, noses apart fnish at the wire. MYSTIK DAN survived the photo and is your winner,  but if Sierra Leone and Forever Young hadn't played bumper cars with each other in the final furlong...i think one of those two would have slid by and taken the mile and a quarter .

I placed a lot of different bets on things yesterday and Friday, from the comfort of my home and checked my TwinSpires account balance at the end of the day Saturday and had five less dollars in it than when I started wagering Friday. 

(NBC's Horse Race Handicappers are barely one step above these two) 

All in all, I enjoyed the two days of just being a  television viewer and not going out to the track this year and fighting lines, crowds, puddles, drunks and Derby prices. WAVE did an OK job as far as media coverage went.  I have a great history with WAVE, back when I used to go out to the infield dressed as a jockey and John Belski would always manage to find me and do a mock interview with me on my ficticious and hopeful mounts on Oaks and Derby Days.  Happy post 150th, y'all. 

paulie

Derby Day -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Happy 150th Derby Day!

Cardinal Couple is off today as we all prepare to celebrate Derby in our own various ways. Louisville softball was in action yesterday and dropped a heartbreaker at Boston College when they gave up a 2-run walk-off homer with two outs to lose 3-2. Bailey Richardson accounted for Louisville's runs with a 2-run homer in the first. Jeff will have a bit more on that and cover the second game of the series tomorrow. 

Oaks Day held an exciting batch of races, and I'm looking forward to the same from the card today. I still haven't quite decided who I'm going with in the big one. Do you think Fierceness could finally break the curse of the 17 post? I'm not convinced. Are you, like many interviewed yesterday, caught up with just how big Sierra Leone is? The 2 would still be a tough spot to come from. I might even like Epic Ride, in the field after Encino scratched, to be a dark horse candidate. 

Let us know in the comments who you like this year! Whether you're sipping on a Mint Julep, a Lily, a Spire, or some other concoction, be safe and have fun this Derby Day. PAULIE'S PICKS BELOW

Until next time<Go Cards!

Case

PAULIE'S HANDICAPPNG HEROES KENTUCKY DERBY DAY STAKES RACES PICKS

Quick Oaks recap, I gave you 19 horses to consider (there were a couple of  scratches) yesterday...and had three winners, two places and two shows...today we have nine stakes races,so, I'll have 28 horses to choose from. Goof Luck and stand up and sing when they play "My Old Kentucky Home", OK? 

RACE 4 -- KNICKS GO STAKES

6 -- BEST ACTOR

1 -- STRONG QUALITY 

11  -- OSCAR ECLIPSE

RACE 5 -- TWIN SPIRES TURF SPRINT

4 -- MOTORIOUS

8 --MISCHIEF MAGIC

10 -- BIG INVASION

RACE 6 -- DERBY CITY DISTAFF

5 -- SPRIRT WIND

7 -- ALVA STARR

10 -- VAHVA

RACE 7  --  DISTAFF TURF  MILE

7 -- EVVIE JETS

6 -- DELAHAYE

7 -- CHILI FLAG

RACE 8 -- PAT DAY MILE

7 -- WHO DEY

8 -- TOP CONOR

12 -- NASH

RACE 9 -- AMEI RICAN TURF 

5 -- LEGEND OF TIME

6 -- NEAT

11 -- AGATE ROAD

RACE 10 -- CHURCHILL DOWNS STAKES 

6 -- ZOZOS

2 -- TEJANO  TWIST

11 -- HOIST THE GOLD 

RACE 11 -- TURF CLASSIC

6 -- I'M  VERY BUSY

5 -- PROGRAM TRADING

11 -- NAVAL POWER 

RACE 12  -- KY DERBY 

17 -- FIERCENESS

 2 -- SIERRA LEONE

8 -- JUST A TOUCH

6 -- JUST STEEL

Best of luck today, and as they used to say in the old Friday Foursomes Leagues...good bowling !

paulie

Softball goes to Boston College -- Oaks Day -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Good morning readers and Happy Oaks Day / Derby Weekend!


Per usual, the spring sports teams will hit the road on Derby week to free up hotel space in the city. Its been a nice week weather wise.. 85-90 might be a little extreme for the end of April, we will see if its still nice out throughout the weekend and races at Churchill Downs.

(picture from Kentucky Oaks)

My Oaks picks - Where’s my Ring (15-1), Into Champange (30-1) and Our Pretty Woman (15-1)

My Derby Picks – Catching Freedom (8-1), Track Phantom (20-1)and Fierceness (5-2)

If you are able to decipher the theme of my picks I will personally bake and send you a batch of cookies. It’s a pretty big stretch though. Paulie's OAKS DAY Stakes Races Picks are at the bottom of today's article

Softball

Photos: Jared Anderson

The Cards are heading north for Derby weekend to play in their final series of the regular season against the Eagles of Boston College. The first game is scheduled for 4pm on Friday on the ACCNX and 12pm on Saturday and Sunday with Saturdays matchup available for viewing on the ACC Network.

The Eagles are 27-22 and 7-14 in the ACC coming off a midweek matchup with Boston University where Boston College fell 1-6.

 

Boston University's Lauren Keleher went 4-4 with 5 RBIs on a double, triple and a home run. BC managed to plate only 1 run on 5 hits. 

BC has gone 3-9 since 4/9 this season. UofL, BC and Syracuse are in a 3 way tie for 9th in the league. The Cards are coming off a 1-2 weekend against the Clemson Tigers

For BC, Hannah Slike leads offensively with a .358 BA scoring 26 runs on 57 hits.

We’ve seen Alyssa Zabala get the starting nod for the first game of the series this season so expect her to start in the circle for the Cards. (18-14) carries a 3.05 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 151.2 innings. Her 18 victories lead the ACC and rank 20th nationally. 

Daisy Hess leads the team with 31 runs, 31 walks and a .441 on-base percentage. She stands tied for ninth on Louisville's single season list for walks.




Have a happy and safe Derby weekend everyone!!! 



As Always,

Go Cards go!

Daryl

PAULIE'S HANDICAPPNG HEROES KENTUCKY OAKS DAY STAKES RACES PICKS

Yeah, I know, I told everyone i was through with handicappong and posting picks last year. I have been getting some requests and inquiries , though, on who I like Friday and Saturday...so I decided to handicap the stakes races each day (OAKS AND DERBY. ) 

Just goes to show you... you can't argue with a sick mind...nostrovia !! I'll have the Derby mis-selections tomorrow...unless you know something i don't  

KY OAKS DAY PAULIE'S PICKS

Race 5 -- LaTroienne Stakes

6 -- XIGERA

5 -- PRETTY MISCHEVIOUS

4 -- IDIOMATIC

Race 6 -- Unbridled Sidney Stakes

5 -- ELM DRIVE

2 -- OVA CHARGED

10 -- TONY ANN

Race 7 -- Alysheba Stakes

7 -- TAP IT TRICE

3 -- FIRST MISSION

6 -- TUMBARUMBA

Race 8 -- Modesty Stakes

6 -- SURPRISINGLY

4 -- HEAVENLY SUNDAY

2 -- ASPEN GROVE

Race 9 --  Eight Belles Stakes

1 -- IMPEL

7 -- DENIM AND PEARLS

11 -- MY MANE SQUEEZE

Race 10 -- Edgewood Stakes

9 -- HARD TO JUSTIFY

4 -- BUCHO

6 -- POUNCE

Race 11 -- Kentucky Oaks

#13 -- JUST PYI

#14 --  LESLIE'S HOPE

#8   -- TARITA

Good luck today and stay dry!

paulie

Robinson and Williams Depart WBB -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

It's uncommon for us to have much talk regarding women's basketball at this time of the year other than a late commit or transfer joining the squad. Instead of talking about additions to the program, we talk about a pair of alums who are moving onto bigger and better things.

Mykasa Robinson Joins Marshall

After a six-year career with Louisville, Mykasa Robinson announced that she will be joining the coaching staff for Marshall women's basketball. Robinson played five seasons for the Cards before becoming a graduate assistant for a season. 

Robinson was known for her defensive skills and leadership as a player. She helped lead the Cards to two Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four.

The Ashland native is a part of a brand new coaching staff at Marshall under first year head coach Juli Fulks.

Josie Williams Joins Utah State

Following a two-year stent at Louisville, Josie Williams will become the new director of operations for Utah State women's basketball. Williams played one season at Louisville and spent another season as a graduate assistant.

Williams came in as a transfer in order to help with the post play. She quickly showed her versatility by knocking down three-pointers to go along with her performance down low.

As a Utah native, Williams is able to head back to her home state and be a part of a Utah State program looking to turn things aorund.

We wish both Mykasa and Josie the best of luck in their new roles!

Paulie's Picks

For those of you that have followed Cardinal Couple for a while or know Paulie, then you are familiar with his handicapping expertise. With Oaks and Derby upon us, Paulie has been considering wiping the dust off of his old site, "PAULIE PICKS" in order to give us his inside knowledge and thoughts on the two biggest days of the year here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

I will let Paulie add his comments on that.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  I will have Oaks Day Picks at the bottom of the Friday Column and Derby Day Picks at the bottom of Saturday's Column. I will be handicapping the stakes racea each day. 

paulie

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared

Triantafyllou Gets ACC Freshman of the week honors -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

TRIANTAFYLLOU NAMED ACC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

First off, Happy May Day to you! If you'e not familiar with the state (it's actually a commonwealth, by the way)...May is pretty big here in Kentucky, they run the Kentucky Derby, of course, on the first Saturday in May and, this year,  the PGA Golf Championships will be held at Valhalla (on the outskirts of Louisville) later this month.

Louisville women's track and field has had their share of excellent  track and field athletes  over the years.  ILLIANA TRIANTAFYLLOU is a freshman pole vaulter that is among those. 

She was named the ACC Freshman of the Week  after her huge performance in the Clark Wood Invitational women's pole vault...clearing 4.18m (13-8.5), which tied the best jump in Cardinals women's history for a freshman, previously held by Gabriela Leon back in 2018. You remember Leon, don't you? She won the NCAA Pole Vault back in 2022. with a still all-time Uofl best of 4.75m. (14ft.7.5 inches) 

Illiana hails from Serres, Greece and her jump is the sixth best in the ACC this season. Triantfyllou joined the Cards in January and had finished second in the Greek National Champunship pole vaulting events back in 2023.

She also won tthe 2022 Greek U18 Championships. 

Pole Vaulting is one of those track and field events that never cease to amaze me, given the precise timing, positionong, technique and style needed to be good at it. I admired the athletes I participated in track and field with in hgh school that were proficient at the pole vault and I even tried to see if I could be a "vaulter" but never could get over the bar...and they set it prettty low for guys that were in tryouts  As the coaches finally told me, "You run around the track once and twice pretty good, stick with that"

I enjoyed trying the long jump and triple jump, but never could match what the best on the team were doing. One of my grade school buddies went onto do some great things in the pole vault in high school. 

In the Clark Wood, Louisville Track and Field also got a 4.18m vault out of Natalie Lark . It would appear the Cards have a fine arsenal of long jumpers to help them compete and possibly win a lot of those events in the next few years. 

The ACC Championshiips will occur May 9-11 in Atlanta, GA...A full scheule of events are  available for viewing on the ACCNX and a schedule can be found at: https://theacc.com/feature/outdoor-track-field-championships . 

paulie

 

Do or Die for Softball -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards on Life Support Entering Final Week of Regular Season

Paulie broke down what was another loss for Louisville softball in Monday's column, something that has been an unfortunate topic for the last few weeks. After a 13-2 start to the season, the Cards have gone 13-21 since then. At 26-23, Louisville is most certainly not going to make the NCAA Tournament. unless they win the ACC Tournament, and that is contingent on whether they get in the conference get-together in  Durham later this week. 

ACC play has been brutal for the Cards. Games against #5 Duke, #15 Virginia Tech, #16 Florida State, and #21 Clemson have been rough.  Louisville went 3-9 in those match-ups. Six of those losses came by two runs or less or went to extra innings. Overall, Louisville is 10-12 in games that are decided by two runs or less or go to extra innings. Win those close games and you're 38-11 and in prime shape for postseason play and even a Top 25 ranking.

Following last weekend's events, the Cards sit at 7-14 in conference play. This mark puts them in a three-way tie for ninth with Syracuse and Boston College. The Cards and Orange did not play this season but we will see a UofL vs BC match-up this coming weekend.

So, what's at stake? A chance to play in the ACC Tournament. Two or more wins locks in a conference tournament berth while two or more losses puts things in jeopardy. Syracuse plays Florida State so best case scenario ends with the Seminoles sweeping the Orange.

If Louisville loses the series to Boston College and Syracuse wins enough games to finish ahead of Louisville then we will see the Cards finish 11th (or 12th depending on how Pitt does) and not make the ACC Tournament, effectively ending the season.

Louisville could also sweep Boston College and jump up to eighth place, a game ahead of Notre Dame, who has concluded the regular season a week early. But most importantly, the Cards just need to find a way to beat out at least Syracuse or Boston College. A trip to the ACC Tournament at least gives Louisville a chance to win the tournament and earn an automatic trip to the NCAA Tournament. With how many times the Cards have been in a close battle with top teams, it's not impossible to see them make a run. 

We will preview the series at it gets closer.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared

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

 TIGERS ROAR IN SUNDAY SERIES FINALE 11-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON

paulie

.   

Softball Evens the Series - Sunday Cardinal Couple

Softball Even It Up Against Clemson

Senior Day honors, parents of seniors
throwing out the ceremonial first
pitches to their senior daughters

The Softball Cards, on Senior Day, first honored a whopping eight players: Gabby Holloway, Mia Forsythe, Vanessa Miller, Daisy Hess, Bailee Richardson, Riley Frizell, Paige Geraghty, and Kiley Goff; before taking to the field and defeating 21st ranked Clemson.  The departures will, without a doubt, provide fodder for these pages in the future about how Louisville will replace their talent and capabilities for the 2025 season, but for now we'll enjoy their time remaining with this team.

Paige Geraghty patrolling left field

The Cards did go on to defeat the Tigers, though as is UofL wont, it was with scoring late in the game.  Gabby Holloway took the circle to start with and pitched three complete scoreless innings, she did come out to start the 4th inning, but after a double by Valerie Cagle, was lifted for Brooke Gray.  Gray got the three outs in the inning, but Cagle did make her way around the bases in the process.  Gray then came out for the 5th inning, and after allowing a walk and two hits that resulted in a Clemson run, got the hook for Sam Booe.  Booe did allow a run in the 6th, but was allowed to finish out the game and did so with solid results.

Brooke Gray in the circle

The Cards got their scoring going in the 5th inning, with a five run inning.  Maddi Grant led off the inning and reached on an error, Kiley Goff was next up and also reached on an error.  Just calling this "an error", doesn't really do it justice.  Goff bunted, and probably would've been out at first, but the ball sailed by the fielder at first and out deep into right field foul territory.  It was enough that Grant was able to score, as well as Goff!  Jared, partly in honor of Goff's Senior Day wanted to score it as an inside the park home run bunt, but it was clearly an error.

"Pickle" Winkler rounding 3rd with
fierce determination

With the bases clear again, Daisy Hess singled, Chelsea Mack drew a walk, and Riley Frizell singled.  With the single though, Hess scored, and Mack got to third.  A throwing error trying to catch Mack allowed her to then score as well, meanwhile, in all of this madness, Frizell advanced to third.  Frizell would eventually cross the plate on a Paige Geraghty single, tallying five for the inning.

UofL would tack on one more in the 6th inning.  With two outs Daisy Hess doubled to left, and Chelsea Mack singled, getting the speedy Hess around to home.

Sam Booe finishing things out

Clemson would have no answer in the top of the 7th and the Cards would celebrate their Senior Day victory.  Jared, in addition to great photos, got audio and video with Daisy Hess and Sam Booe after the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxJ2lIEHVn8

The Cards will play the series-deciding game against Clemson today at noon.  As typical for UofL hosted events, video is available, on ACC Network Extra.

 

(Photos by Jared Anderson)

Swim & Dive Quick Hits

 

Congratulations to Kim Herkle for winning the 200 meter IM in the German Championships.  Yes, of course, Herkle is German, she hails from Stuttgart Germany.

 

But then, Else Praasterink is competing in platform diving at the American Cup...and she's from the Netherlands, go figure.

 

Regardless, congratulations and good luck respectively.

 

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

Case, Paulie, and myself for the the CCRHP call yesterday.  It was a good discussion, I think.  Mostly focused on Lacrosse's end of season and what the future holds there, as well as a bit of lamenting on Softball's Friday result.  We did get some indirect input from Jared as well, so check it out.

 

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cardinal-couple/episodes/Lacrosse-Season-Ends-Softball-Slumps-e2iv029 

-- JMcA

Cards Drop Series Opener; Ulrich Keeps Dominating -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Softball Can't Close Out Tigers in 6-5 Loss

Louisville softball held a 1-0 lead for four innings before surrendering that lead in the fifth. They scored four runs in the bottom half to take a 5-3 lead into the final frame. Unfortunately, visiting Clemson (ranked 22/21) added another three spot in the seventh which the Cards couldn't answer. Louisville fell 6-5 in the last home series opener of the season.

Alyssa Zabala got the start in this one and it looked like things might get sideways quickly. A single opened the game and a walk put two on. Zabala and the defense got out of the jam with an infield popup and a double play, though, and the offense went to work. Daisy Hess popped up to start, but Chelsea Mack beat out an infield single. Frizell grounded to short, but Mack was again too fast for the Clemson defense, who didn't even try to get her at second. Bailey Richardson made that pay off with a double down the line (confirmed fair on review) to give Louisville a 1-0 lead. 

Clemson won a challenge to open the second, getting an out call at first overturned, but Zabala got the next three batters out on just eight pitches. The Cards put two on base with singles from Katie Thatcher and Maddi Grant, but couldn't add to their lead. The third inning saw Clemson put together a massive threat, loading the bases with nobody out. Their third hit came on what was likely a sacrifice bunt attempt, but the Cards couldn't get the out. Again, Zabala and the defense buckled down with a three pitch strikeout and another double play, but their luck appeared to be wearing down.

The Cards and Tigers traded 1-2-3 sides in the bottom of the third and top of the fourth, but Thatcher's second single of the day prevented a third straight 1-2-3 offensive effort. The top of the fifth got off to about as rocky a start as possible. Zabala threw six pitches, none were swung on, and the Tigers loaded the bases. HBPs bookended a four-pitch walk, but Coach Holly Aprile decided to ride her ace. A foul out to left acted as a sac fly to tie the game, but it looked like the Cards might escape with minimal damage after a flyout gave Clemson two outs. A double ended that hope and scored a pair to make it 3-1. 

Louisville's offense responded in the bottom half, though, with Goff singling to open the side and Hess drawing a walk. Mack laid down a sac bunt, but a fielding error allowed her to reach and scored Goff unearned. Mack stole second to put two in scoring position (Hess also advanced on the error), and Frizell singled to score one. Pickle Winkler was called on to pinch run, and she stole second to put two in scoring position once more. Richardson hit a grounder to short, but it was sharply hit and Mack was out at home. On the throw, Winkler and Richardson both advanced, so the Cards had two in scoring position for the third straight at-bat. Vanessa Miller finally took advantage, singling down the line to score the pair and give Louisville the lead back at 5-3. A pair of fly outs ended the inning. 

After the shaky fifth, Zabala returned to the circle and got four outs, with an error giving Clemson their only runner. Louisville's offensive outburst also came crashing back to earth with a 1-2-3 bottom half. That brought up the seventh, with Louisville holding a 2-run lead and looking for a big upset to open the series. Zabala gave up a full-count walk and a single before striking out a batter to leave two on and one out. Clemson was on their fourth run through the lineup. It's very unclear to me what leads to Aprile's pitching decisions. In this case, Zabala was left in, and a double scored a run and left runners on second and third with one out. The go-ahead run was standing on second. Still, Zabala was left in. An intentional walk loaded the bases to set up a force at any base and increase the chances of a double-play in the infield. A sac fly tied the game and a single to center gave the Tigers the lead. Aprile finally pulled Zabala and Brooke Gray got a fly out to strand two and end the inning. Clemson led 6-5.

Louisville's offense, needing a run with the 2-3-4 batters due up, went down in order on ten pitches and the game was over. Ultimately, Zabala was saddled with a loss she didn't really deserve. Yes, she's the one that gave up the runs, and her final line (9H, 6R [all earned], 4BB, 2K, 2HBP, 101 pitches) isn't pretty, but there were ample opportunities to put in another arm to close this game out. I understand sending Zabala back out to open the seventh after she showed she still had it in the sixth, but banking on her getting out of a fourth major jam at that point was a genuinely bad call. 

In a game that the Cards pretty much needed to win (and had in hand), they instead lost their third straight and moved to 25-22 (6-13). They basically have to win out and have a strong showing in the ACC tournament to get a shout at an at-large bid in the NCAA tourney. They'll get started in game 2 against Clemson today at 1PM. Today is Senior Day, so be sure to get out early if you're wanting to take in the festivities.

Jayden Ulrich Sets New Records

Photo by Taris Smith, Louisville Athletics

After her incredible performances in the indoor season, Jayden Ulrich is back in action at Cardinal Park in the Clark Wood Invitational. Yesterday's events saw Ulrich break her own program record (twice) in shot put with throws of 18.08 and 18.27 meters. The previous record, which Ulrich set earlier this year in Texas, was 18.00m, narrowly beating Emmonnie Henderson's 17.98 from 2017. Yesterday's throw of 18.27m also sets a new high-mark at the event and the venue. Ulrich now holds a top-six throw in the country, and she will be looking to add to her hardware collection this summer. 

Also performing well on the first day of the event was Alessandra Rodriguez, who became the 7th Cardinal woman to break the 2:10 mark in the 800m. Rodriguez beat it by the slimmest of margins, setting a 2:09.99 personal best while earning an event victory. Lucy Fellows came fourth in the invitational long jump with a leap of 6.05m. It's the second time the freshman has exceeded six meters in the event. 

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

We look to have three on the horn today, as Jared and Daryl are out this week. Neither is running the marathon or the mini, as far as I'm aware, but perhaps they're stuck in perpetual traffic on the wrong side of third street (a perennial nightmare on campus). There aren't a ton of positives from the results of the week, but we'll still bring you the joy and excitement of Louisville women's athletics. If Jeff's computer woes are finished, you can check out the live stream of the show by going to the Cardinal Couple YouTube page and clicking on the live video. Jeff usually creates that about an hour before the show, which officially starts at 11 AM Eastern. If the live time doesn't work for you, there are plenty of playback options, so be sure to check out whichever is best for you!

Cardinal Couple YouTube: Link

Spotify: Link

Apple Podcasts: Link

Google Podcasts: Link

Overcast (free account required): Link

Pocket Casts (free account and app required): Link

RadioPublic: Link

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case