Women's sports deals with losing and winning

First, the bad news...Freshman forward Ashley Rainey is done for the year. A team physician has recommended to Louisville head coach Jeff Walz that Ashley sit out the rest of the season. Rainey has been dealing with a variety of family and personal problems and was involved in a car accident Tuesday near her hometown of Bowling Green. She joins LaToya Johnson, a juco transfer point guard, on the sidelines... who has been sidelined again with recurring hip issues and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Although Nikki Burton has began practicing again and could be available for game action within a week, the current list of game available Lady Cards is down to eight again. Louisville plays one conference win Big East foe Pittsburgh on ESPN2 Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

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

Now, the good news. Louisville women's softball swept their doubleheader yesterday in Houston. They pounded Kansas in the first game 10-2 in a five inning game to kick off the Marriott Houston Hobby classic. All Big East conference selection Kristen Wadwell pitched the Cards to victory.

In the second game, Louisville took down #15 Baylor 4-1 in eight innings. Freshman pitcher Chelsea Leonard made her debut for the softball Cards a memorable one, tossing a 1 hit, complete game at the Bears. She struck out eight batters and had a no hitter going thru four innings. Colby Wherry's 2 RBI double in the top of the eight broke open a 1-1 tie and she later scored on a sacrifice fly for the final margin.

In the first contest, Louisville jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one inning against Kansas, led by a two RBI Chelsea Bemis single and then added 4 more runs in the bottom of the third to build a insurmountable 9-1 advantage. Wadwell went all five innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs and striking out 3.

The Cards continue today in action, facing Baylor in the opener and host Houston in the second game.

Written by Sonja
2/13/10