Categorizing the Cavaliers

The University of Virginia's womens softball team is making its first ever apperance in the NCAA Championships. They'll play UofL at 4 p.m. Friday in Knoxville, TN. Let's take a look at the Cards first opponent.

The Cavs came in second in ACC league competition and faced Va. Tech in the first round of the playoffs. The Hokies were hosting the ACC Tournament and turned back to Cavs 1-0 to eliminate them from the event.

Virginia (33-21, 13-7) had two players hit over .300 for the season. Sarah Tacke (.362) and Nicole Koren (.308) They were also the Cavs leaders in home runs...with Koren knocking 12 out of the park and Tacke 10. The two also led Virginia in hits, RBI's and run scored. No word on whether they like the same music, wear matching outfits or take the same classes...

Freshman Melody Mitchell handled the majority of the pitching for Virginia and produced a 26-16 record. She has a 2.67 ERA and allowed 228 hits in 267.2 innings pitched. The Cavs staff allowed 42 home runs during the season while Cavs hitters managed 34 against opposing pitching.

It's hard to say right now who Sandy Pearsall which choose to open the regional play. Both Tori Collins and Kristen Wadwell have performed well for Louisville this year and Cavs batters struck out a total of 262 times. The Cards simply need to follow the script that got them this far. Jump on the opponent early with their offensive firepower and let defense and pitching seal the deal.

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Although the University of Louisville women's lacrosse season has ended, it doesn't mean the action has stopped at the University's lacrosse stadium. The Kentucky Lacrosse Association girls' high school state tournament will hold the finals on Thursday at UofL.

Kentucky Country Day and Collegiate will meet in the final game. KCD eliminated Sacred Heart 15-5 and Collegiate downed Ballard 14-7 in games at Assumption field on Monday.

The boys will he holding their semifinals and finals at UofL also, which begin Wednesday when Trinity faces KCD and Collegiate plays St. Xavier.

Jefferson County domination. I wonder what the elitist over at Cats Pause think about that? If they've heard of lacrosse....that is.

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Hard times for the NYRA. The not-for-profit governing body for New York horse racing is running out of money and may have to shut down after the Belmont Stakes is run. Their current cash position is in dire straights and there are doubts whether the historic summer meet at Saratoga will take place. Once again, a case of a state legislature failing to allow video lottery terminals in racing facilities. We all know the problems that has created here in Kentucky.

Trainer Richard Violette, also the president of the NYRA Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association sees a scenario where racing might be suspended in New York beginning June 6th. for two weeks. If a resolution cannot be reached in that time frame, the NYRA would close Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. The move would mean over 2,000 backstretch workers would be out of jobs and 3,000 horses would be taken off the grounds. Kentucky horse racing could be next. Less racing days, shorter field and lower prize purses are already in effect here.

The city of Saratoga Springs is hugely dependant on the influx of business created by horsemen and visitors who ascend upon Saratoga Race Course during the summer. A cancellation of racing would turn the scenic site into a ghost town.

Today is election day in Kentucky. Any candidate not in favor of allowing casino gaming in Kentucky race tracks won't be getting the vote or endorsement of CARDINAL COUPLE. Join us, won't you?

By Paul
5/18/10