Becker wins pitchers' duel against Kramer -- Louisville 1 - WKU 0 -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

Becker 1-hitter, Jones homer lead Cards to 1-0 win over WKU

This time, Kelsi Jones knew it was out when it left the bat.

Kelsi went fence! 

The senior from Carmel, IN led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a home run to right-center field to give Maryssa Becker the only run she needed in a 1-0 UofL win over Western Kentucky Wednesday night at Ulmer Stadium. 

Jones had the winning home run against Virginia on March 15th. in a 5-4 triumph. She admitted to CARDINAL COUPLE in a post-game interview back then that she wasn't real sure if that shot was going to get over the left-center fence. 


Last night, she "knew it when it left the bat" and produced the only run in this pitcher-controlled contest. The count was 3-2 when Jones blasted the high-arching shot onto the berm behind the outfield fence.

Becker was magnificent in limiting the Toppers to just one hit and no runners past second base. Shawna Sadler's single up-the-middle in the fourth inning broke up Becker's no-hit bid. Becker returned the favor by getting the first hit of the game for the Cards off Miranda Kramer in the bottom of the fourth. 


Kramer also pitched a fantastic game for WKU, allowing just three hits in six innings. The nation's leader in strikeouts also fanned three Cardinals. After allowing Jones' home run, Kramer gave up a single to Jordan McNary. McNary advanced to third by stealing second and advancing on a fly-out but was left stranded when Kramer got Kayla Soles to pop out to her first baseman. 

The Cardinal infield helped Becker's cause with two stellar fielding efforts. Shortstop Whitney Arion sprinted to snag a hard hit shot in the gap by WKU's Larissa Franklin in the first inning. Third base vacuum Hailey Smith made a nice move to capture a line drive by Lexie Norfleet in the seventh.


Becker gets her second one-hitter of the year and goes to 14-5 on the season. Kramer falls to 20-8 in an effort that would have been a win nine times out of ten. 

Louisville (28-15) travels to Pittsburgh for a three game set this weekend to end the regular season. The Cards are in 4th place in the ACC with a 14-6 conference record and could tie with Notre Dame for third place (17-6) with a sweep. 

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...ALSO APPEARING...

Some notable names in attendance last night to watch the Bat Cards perform. Noted ESPN writer Graham Hays was in the press box taking in the action. He was taking in the action to follow up on his excellent article from Wednesday morning on WKU's Miranda Kramer. You need to read this article. Link below:

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12781497/western-kentucky-miranda-kramer

Hays was also chatting up his good friend Jeff Walz...who attended the contest with the best lookin' gal in the ball-park...his daughter Lola. Walz was in great spirits and all smiles...successfully prodding my Derby pick out of me...DORTMUND. Gotta go with the "big guy"...especially out of the #8 hole. You'll find more on that over at my personal website...www.paulsykes.com

I've also got the Thursday (Thurby) Churchill Downs card handicapped over there and an early look at the Kentucky Oaks. Reader beware. 


Assistant coaches Sam & Sam were also at the ballpark and we got some great audio from the both of them that we'll play on our 5/9/15 broadcast. It very well may be the first time Samantha Williams has provided almost five minutes of radio interview in history. She should talk more often...she's great at it. 

Also representing WBB hoops were Bria Smith, Sherrone Vails, Sara Hammond and Megan Deines. The four were avid spectators of the contest between signing autographs and chatting with fans.  

Co-owner of 502 Softball and former Cardinal slugger extraordinaire Alicja Wolny was also in attendance and still looks like she could go out and clear fence on her first swing. Loved the "Big Wol" and that purposeful grimace at the plate...

HAPPY THURBY TO YOU! ( I hate the name that's been stuck on the Thursday before Derby...but it is "Louisville's Day at the Races and it'll be packed at Churchill Downs today.)

Angel wishes all our readers a Happy Derby week. She's back in town and still remains my favorite WBB Card of all time.

The Divine Ms. Mac is the standard that they all need to strive for. 

paulie
xxxxx

Softball has home final vs. WKU tonight -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

DANGEROUS TOPPERS TO FACE LOUISVILLE

Forget that the Cards swept the doubleheader last year when the two teams faced in Bowling Green. Set aside the fact that Louisville leads the overall series between the two foes 14-3 and has won the last six meetings. This year's version of WKU Softball is no pushover. 

Western (29-10) will take on the Cards in a 6 p.m. in-state rival match after getting the second no-hitter of the season from superlative pitcher Miranda Kramer over the weekend against Charlotte. If she's in the circle tonight, it could be a long night at the bat for Sandy Pearsall's squad. 

Kramer has a 20-7 record and a microscopic 0.80 ERA. That's second best in the nation. She also has 346 strikeouts...which is numero uno in D1 Softball. If she's selected to throw against Louisville...we could have another pitcher's duel on our hands if Maryssa Becker enters the circle for Sandy Pearsall.

The Cards' Oregonian sophomore has built a 13-5 record and sports an impressive 2.23 ERA. She also backs up her tosses at the bat...driving in the only run in Louisville's 1-0 win over Boston College over the weekend. 

Look for the Cards Kelsi Jones and Jordan McNary to try and wreck Kramer's party. Jones (.392) and "Mac" (.390) lead Louisville in hitting and Jones leads the ACC in doubles (17).

After last night's exciting 2-1 Louisville walk-off win against UK in Jim Patterson Stadium...which was primarily a pitcher's duel...we could be in for a similar treat on the northeast border of the Belknap Campus when "Big Red" brings the Toppers off The Hill to take on Louie's Birds. 

We'll recap it tomorrow.

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THE BEST IN THE CONTEST

In our April Contest, which was to pick the total number of runs Louisville would score in the final 11 games of April, Joe Hill and Nick O. are battling it out for the win. 

Tonight's game is the final chance to score. We realize that a few got rained out in the contest...and did think about extending it through the Pittsburgh series this weekend...but decided that the spirit of the event was April-oriented and that it will still finish in April. 

Nick O. picked 10 runs and the Cards have scored 16. Joe Hill selected 23. If Louisville can score seven tonight, Joe would win a $25 gift card in addition to the Absolutely Fabulous CARDINAL COUPLE T-Shirt. If the Cards get blanked on the scoreboard...Nick O. wins the shirt.

Holding down 3rd place is our "steamed columnist" Worldwide Jeff McAdams...who would need the Cards to erupt for 10 runs tonight to hit his guess of 26. 

We're going to change it up a bit for the May Contest. 

We'd like you to tell us which of the UofL women's sports teams is your favorite and why. Entries should be 100 words or less. It can be a current or past squad. We'll run a few of them as the month goes on and then select our favorite. Judging the entries will be our dutiful operations manager Sonja and yours truly...the Paulster. 

We are not entering. Neither is Worldwide. We'll be truly objective here and may have a third-party not associated with the site look over our favorite entries and help decide.

There's a $25 Gift Card to a dining establishment in it for you if you win. Our second favorite submission gets a new car, Johnny!!!  an ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS CARDINAL COUPLE T-Shirt! 

You've got all month to get them in. It's free, of course, and you can put your thoughts into any of the daily comments sections or send them to us via e-mail.

cardinalcouple@twc.com

We'll judge based on creativity, content and your heart-felt emotions. Then, we'll slow dance and take a walk down a moon-lit beach while...

OK, you get the idea. Send 'em!!

paulie 
xxxxx

Thoughts on Senior Day -- Tuesday Cardinal Couple

Thoughts on "Senior Day"

Sunday was Senior Day for UofL's Softball team.  As we near the end of the spring sports season, we see the traditional celebrations for each team's "graduating" "seniors".  I put air quotes around both words because the tradition of Senior Day is more a recognition of the end of a player's collegiate eligibility, or perhaps their expectation that they will no longer be involved with the team for some reason or another.

 Many players will have already graduated with an undergraduate degree and have already embarked on some graduate level courses, and occasionally, in extraordinary cases...I'm thinking of Tia Gibbs, as an example...will have achieved more than one degree.  Others, on the other hand, may be taking the next major step of their life before they finish a degree.  Whatever the case, its very possible that the athletes being honored are neither seniors, nor graduating.

I love the tradition of Senior Day, even if it does sometimes feel a bit scripted.  The young men and women that compete in collegiate athletics and are preparing to take the next major step of their lives should be honored.  Beyond the process of graduation, which may or may not roughly coincide with the completion of an athletes athletic eligibility or involvement with the program, whatever the cause, that next step should be honored.  Most of these young men and women have been actively pursuing the sport...or sports...of their choice since early childhood.

 Some may go on to pursue their sport at another school, perhaps by beginning a course of graduate study, while others may take the next step to professional athletics.  

Most, however, will see this as the end of high-level competitive play in a sport that has likely been a major part of the majority of their life.  For those men and women, to say that this is a life adjustment, is the understatement of the season.  Of course, the transition from college student to making a living in the wide world is an adjustment just on its own, but for student-athletes, the change is even more drastic.

Taking a few minutes, before one of the last home competitions of the season, to honor those seniors, to remember their contributions, to laugh at awkward pictures from their childhood displayed in all of their jumbotron glory, is more than a little bittersweet, but is an important observation of where they have come from. 

Taking a moment to reflect before taking the next big step forward is healthy, it puts the hard work and time spent in context.  Whether that moment of contemplation is more important to the athlete, or to the family and friends that have supported them, and yes even us, the fans, is a question that I don't have an answer for.

Softball honored four seniors before the double-header started on Sunday.  Two of  the seniors, Brittany Duncan and Kelsi Jones, transferred from other schools and were only able to play for the Cards for two years.  Their value, even in just two years, to the Cardinal Softball team can not be adequately described.  Whitney Arion and Kayla Soles, however, were with UofL Softball for four years, and, in addition to the value of their play on the field which is considerable, have provided continuity and have helped create the wonderful culture that exists on the softball team.

The activities of senior day do become somewhat scripted, I fear.  For the staff that works with these teams, and even to the fans, we see a similar staging in each sport, each season, but I hope that we can take those few moments as the athletes walk out, flanked by family or those who have taken on the role of family, to claim a framed jersey and bouquet of flowers and to have their picture taken with the coaches, to remember what this moment means to these players, to what it means for their life journey, and to remember that we all are part of supporting them...perhaps only a small part, but a part nonetheless...and helping them embark on their life as adults.

Paulie and I are blessed, in our work with Cardinal Couple, to get to know some of the young women of UofL athletics on something of a personal level, and I believe we are doubly blessed when those relationships...limited though they may be...continue on beyond the departure from the halls of academia and the sports facilities of Floyd Street and elsewhere.

To Brittany, Kelsi, Whitney, Kayla, and all of the other seniors of this year:  Its been a pleasure watching you play your sport for the past years, we wish you well in whatever the next step in your life is.

On a side note, UofL Softball quietly added something to the Senior Day festivities that I heartily approve of.  Just after the main ceremony was concluded one of the staff members went over to Boston College's dugout and gave bouquets of flowers to the Boston College seniors.  BC will honor these seniors in their own Senior Day festivities, of course, but I thought it was a nice touch to include the other team in the honors.  While I have seen this gesture made in other Senior Day ceremonies, its not a common occurrence.

Golf Going To South Bend

The NCAA selection for Golf occurred Monday evening, and UofL was selected as the 11th seed for the NCAA Regional being hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend.  The regional competition will be May 7th-9th at Warren Golf Course.  The top six teams and three individuals not associated with those six teams will advance to the NCAA championship which will be May 22-27 at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, FL.

jmca

Cards go 1-1 on Sunday -- Monday Cardinal Couple

DOUBLEHEADER DIVIDED AGAINST B.C.

Louisville Softball managed ten hits against Boston College pitcher Allison Frei in 13 innings yesterday but could only get one runner across the plate in a 1-0, 0-3 split yesterday at Ulmer Stadium.

If you like pitcher's duels, the Cardinal Softball complex on the corner of Floyd and Brandeis was the place to be.

The Cards...looking to stay in the running for a top three finish in the ACC Conference...got a strong performance from staff ace Maryssa Becker in the first game. The Oregon sophomore allowed just three Eagle hits and struck out five to improve her record to 13-5.

As she usually does, Becker helped her own cause at the bat. Jordan McNary, who went three for three in the first game, singled and scored in the bottom of the first. Becker drove her home with a single. The Cards added two more base runners in the inning but did not add to the 1-0 lead.

And that's how it ended...1-0.

In game two, Shelby McCombs took to the circle for Sandy Pearsall's squad and held B.C. in check until the top of third inning. An error, sacrifice bunt, fielder's choice and single gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead. A triple with two outs in the fourth helped Boston College (21-21, 4-14 ACC) push another run across the plate and they added a third score in the sixth inning with two singles and a two-base throwing error by Louisville.

The Cards threatened with runners in scoring position in the first, third and fifth innings but the scoreboard remained at 0 for the home team.

It was Senior Day at the ballpark and pre-game festivities honored Kelsi Jones, Kayla Soles, Brittany Duncan and Whitney Arion. Soles and Arion played all four years at Louisville. Duncan transferred in from Valparaiso after her junior year and Jones joined the Cards after two years at Missouri.

They were a part of 165 wins, two conference tournament titles and three NCAA appearances while wearing the Cardinals uniform.

-- Duncan...the powerful DH who smashed 10 home runs and drew 48 walks as a junior. Plagued by a thumb injury this season...she returned as a starter back on 4.21.15.

-- Soles, who did a bit of everything for the Cards after arriving from New Egypt, NJ...playing five different positions. A 2014 AAC second team selections as well.

-- Arion came in as a freshman and claimed the shortstop position and became the Cards leader in the infield. Always a threat at the plate and flawless on defense.

-- Jones, a transfer from Missouri who led the Cards at bat and handled all the outfield positions during her two years here. She currently leads the ACC in doubles and the Cards in batting average, steals and runs.

These four have a bit of playing to do, still, as they lead the Cards through the remainder of the regular season, conference tournament and, hopefully, an NCAA bid. Four student-athletes who made their mark at Louisville and will be missed after graduation.

The Cards were looking to gain ground yesterday on Notre Dame and UNC who are second and third in the ACC. Those two split in a couple of slugfests yesterday...UNC taking the first game 7-3 and the Irish responding win a 17-9 win in the second game. UNC ended a Notre Dame win streak that went back to March 17th by taking the first contest. UNC retains second behind Florida State with a 16-5 conference mark. Notre Dame sits at 17-6 and the Cards are 14-6.

Louisville returns to the diamond on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game in Ulmer against in-state rival Western Ky.

paulie
xxxxx

Becca and Hannah embody what commitment is about -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

SENIORS HELPED FIELD HOCKEY WIN CARDINAL CUP AND SHAPE PROGRAM


Becca Maddock and Hannah Boyle aren't household names when it comes to UofL women's sports. They spent their four years at the University of Louisville helping Justine Sowry build a strong Field Hockey program and excelling at academic and community involvement. It is time their story be told.

Becca...who will be long remembered by field hockey fans for the go-ahead goal against #1 UNC this fall. That 3-2 win qualified as the Upset of the Year at the recent Louie Awards Monday evening at the Palace Theatre.


Hannah...part of the back line defenders that were a steel curtain against opponent's attempts to score. A young women who wanted to be a jockey when she was little. She's in the horse racing industry now as a supervisor of one of Churchill Downs' premier rooms. Still providing assistance and help.

Becca Maddock was the individual CardsCARE Award winner and the Field Hockey squad took the team award. Both are awarded annually for exemplifying a commitment to community service. The squad also won the Cardinal Cup. It signifies the winner of the annual competition among the UofL sports squads that encourages involvement in the Cards CARE program on many levels including life skills, community service, academics, career development and athletic achievement.

Coach Justine Sowry prepares her young stick swingers for life after graduation. Like so many of the UofL coaches, Sowry well knows that the building blocks and fundamentals of life her student-athletes pick up on the Belknap Campus will be the foundation for their life journey and careers. 

An Assumption girl who won a state title and a Rhode Island resident who actually has a dual citizenship in Ireland and the United States. Two girls who overcame sports injuries to be a major part of arguably the best Field Hockey team in the history of the sport at Louisville

Hannah and Becca.

To see them at Churchill Downs on opening night was a extreme treat. Becca remembered when I interviewed her after the UNC win. I remember her euphoric...almost giddy account of the win. I recalled the charging off the bench and the on-field celebration when Louisville Field Hockey defeated Duke and UNC. I told these two young women how exciting that was to see and how proud I was of them on those two days.  Their smiles were wider and brighter than the massive scoreboard out in the Churchill Downs infield.


Hannah and Becca.

Two members of an elite group that won four awards Monday night at the Louies. Part of a team that captured the hearts and admiration of a fan base that will forever be grateful. Two young ladies who have flown out of the Justine Sowry nest and will make an impact on and better all who happen to chance upon them. 

Cardinals.  

paulie

SOFTBALL DEFEATS BOSTON COLLEGE 3-1...DERBY WEEK IS UPON US...RADIO TODAY -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Our Saturday CARDINAL COUPLE report will look at the UofL Softball win over Boston College. Our radio show is today at 11 a.m. and we'll preview that. Also, it is Derby Week in Louisville, KY. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Bats, microphones and horses...have I been to this party?) 

BECKER, SOLES LEAD CARDS PAST B.C.

Maryssa Becker delivered a three hit, one run allowed performance from the circle while striking out six and Kayla Soles two-RBI single in the second inning gave Louisville the momentum to down ACC Conference opponent Boston College 3-1 at Ulmer Stadium Friday night.

Louisville (26-16, 13-5 ACC) got a leadoff walk out of Brittany Duncan (no chance to deliver "the boom") and another Brittany (Sims) doubled to left to advance Duncan to third. (Insert your version of "WHOOOO!" here) 


That set the stage for the pride of New Egypt, NJ (Exit 5 on the Jersey Turnpike) ...Kayla Soles...to smack a drive right up the middle that scored the runners. In fact, it seemed like they both got to home plate at the same time. Duncan had scored and was turning around to give Sims the "slide" single...but Sims was standing there waiting to give her a high five. 

The Eagles retaliated with two outs in the top of the third with a run but Becker shut the door after those two hits and allowed just one more in the final four innings. 

UofL added an additional run in the fifth when Kelsi Jones doubled to left and scored on a Whitney Arion bunt and throwing error. The Cards got another strong effort out of Becker (12-5) and made some very spectacular fielding plays to back her up...especially Hailey Smith and Arion in the infield.

These two will get back together Sunday for a double-header that starts around noon. 

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HAPPY START OF DERBY WEEK!


It is the start of Derby Week in Louisville, KY. A great place to be for the many festivities an events. Today is the running of the Derby City mini and regular marathon, the Balloon race and Churchill Downs opens their spring racing card with night racing that begins at 6 p.m.

It all culminates with the running of the Kentucky Derby next Saturday. In the interim, all kinds of events are scheduled in-between. The Pegasus Parade, The Great Steamboat Race, the Run for the Rose' and the Chow Wagon festivities...just to mention a few. 

As "locals"...sometimes we can be a bit jaded about the cornucopia of activities and events. All it takes, though, is one first-time visitors wide-eyed wonderment over the mega-festival atmosphere that goes on for eight days here to remind us that Louisville, KY has the eyes of the world on it for those eight magical, non-stop and fun-filled days.

Happy Derby Week to you! 

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MAMA...THOSE MEN ARE TALKING AGAIN!

We'll be doing our regularly scheduled radio show today on WCHQ 100.9 FM and on the Internet at:

www.crescenthillradio.com


It starts at 11 a.m. and we'll cover news and items about Louisville softball, hoops, lacrosse and more! We have an exclusive interview with Jude Schimmel at her Sunday book-signing and a WorldWide Quiz you can take. Don Paulie might be popping in to deliver one of his rambling, disconcerted oratories and free pizza for the first 100 in the studio viewing area! 

(OK...we're not giving away free pizza...but you could order a pizza and eat it while you listen at home. Don't eat the pizza while driving, please...)

Radio, radio...we're on a Crescent Hill Radio. See ya there!

paulie
xxxxx 

Duke knocks Louisville LAX out of ACC Tournament....Changes for Softball this weekend -- Friday Cardinal Couple

(We'll take a look at the 14-7 loss #3 Duke put on the Louisville LAXers yesterday in the ACC Quarterfinals and preview the weekend changes for Louisville Softball against Boston College at Ulmer Stadium. A typical weekend for softball...dealing with rain threats. Maybe the next promo for Louisville Softball should be pocket umbrellas...FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE is coming at ya...in rain gear and rubber boots!) 


TYPICAL PATTERN EMERGES AGAIN IN CARDS LOSS TO DUKE. 


We've reviewed the basic anatomy of a typical Louisville Lacrosse game in the ACC here several times before. Students, refer to your previous notes and follow along. 

- The Cards stay close early in the contest, even lead. This held true again yesterday against the Blue Devils. Louisville lead 3-1 with about 11 minutes to go in first half action.

- Here Comes the Boom. Duke went on a 5-0 run to take a three goal lead. 

- Cards fight back but fall short. Louisville made a run to get back in the contest twice. The Cards cut it to 6-5 with goals from Kelli Gerding and Hannah Koloski. Duke responded with Here Comes the Boom: The Sequel...four straight Blue Devils scores put them up 10-5. The Cards did cut it to three on Cortnee Daley and Carlissa Corbett scores but a few defensive lapses and thefts allowed the Durham school to post the final four net-finders...including a "really...you needed that?" score with one tick left on the clock from one of the Duke subs.

Seven different Cards had a goal each in the loss. Anna Kopecka, Heidi Smith, Kaylin Morissette, Gerding, Koloski, Daley and Corbett all beat the goalie once. 

Louisville has a 10-7 record and now waits to see if they'll get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. 

In typical, "why do anything normal?" NCAA Lacrosse fashion, 26 teams will vie for the 2015 NCAA title. 13 conference qualifiers and 13 at-large teams. These will be announced Derby weekend. 

May 8th. features 10 first round games at higher seed sites. The May 10th. second round matchups will be contested at eight different sites. So...six teams get first round byes. 

Here's a stellar FINAL FOUR...Sonja, Tillie, MArkie and Poobah  

May 16th and 17th will be the quarter-finals where four games will determine who the FINAL FOUR are and they'll meet in Philly at PPL Park on May 22-23 to determine a national champ. 

Couldn't the NCAA just added six teams and have sixteen first round sites were everybody plays...like the basketball and soccer tournaments do?  Or even eight first and second pods where you send four teams?  You need seven hands (or four people) to count to 32. I guess they were a selection committee planner short...Moe, Larry and Curly couldn't find a "fourth".

"WE got 'next'"

Are the Cards a bubble team? My opinion is "No". i think they are in the NCAA Tournament comfortably. They'll probably drop a spot or two in the national rankings...but should easily be selected for an at-large. I see seven of the eight ACC schools that play Lacrosse getting in and Louisville just might get to host a first round game if things go their way. We draw well, in terms of a fan-base, for Lacrosse. Whether they would stick a admission fee on this because it is NCAA Championships related and they are money-hungry fools remains to be seen.

The month of May is one that Kellie Young and her girls hope keeps them busy to nearly Memorial Day weekend. 

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WEATHER NECESSITATES SOFTBALL CHANGES

This was one of the designs we considered for the site
until it was pointed out that we don't have a
women's football team at UofL. Yet. 

Our meteorological prognosticators are calling for rainy weather Saturday. So, the scheduled ACC Softball series against Boston College this weekend has been altered. There was a Saturday doubleheader scheduled against the Eagles and a single game Sunday. This has been re-arranged to a Friday 7 p.m. single game tonight and a doubleheader for Sunday that will start at noon.

BC comes in with a 20-19 record and is 3-13 in the ACC. This places the Eagles tenth in the eleven team conference standings. Louisville (25-14) is fourth.


This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools. BC is on a roll...having won their last four games and most recently shut out Connecticut 5-0 earlier this week. I guess "Stewie", "The Mosquito" and "Moriah" don't play hit and pitch in Storrs. The Cards are fresh off a 8-0 trouncing of the Kittie Kats in Lessington.

With the day off...Louisville should be able to use staff pitching ace Maryssa Becker twice. If Madi Norman and Shelby McCombs can step up and deliver a strong third game...Louisville could sweep the series. A sweep could allow the Cards to move up in the ACC standings...Notre Dame and UNC face each other for three games this weekend also. Here's the top four in the conference:

Florida State     17-3
UNC                  15-4
Notre Dame       16-5
Louisville           12-5

The best case scenario would be if Notre Dame beat UNC twice. It would give both schools six losses. If the Cards sweep, they would still have only five conference defeats and bounce ahead of both schools in the loss column. A #2 seed in the ACC Tournament would be great and keep the Cards out of Florida State's path until the finals. 

Let's just hope the weather guys and girls haven't misread the future...

pauiie
xxxxx

Lacrosse starts ACC Tournament play today...Walz to coach on U19 team -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

( In the Thursday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE, we look at Lacrosse heading to the ACC Tournament and Walz headed to Russia. An international flair mixed with free position shots for you as we move toward the weekend!) 


LAX FACES DUKE IN ACC TOURNAMENT


No one said the first year in the ACC for Louisville Lacrosse would be an easy affair...and the Cards ended up right where the preseason prognostications put them, in seventh place...as they move from conference schedule to conference tournament today.

Charlottesville, VA is the home of the University of Virginia and it is where Louisville will look to survive and advance in the ACC Tournament against #2 seed Duke today at 4 p.m.

The two did hook up in conference play at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium on March 14th. The Cards led early in this one and took it to the wire before falling to the Blue Devils 10-8.

Faye Brust, Kaylin Morissettte, Hannah Koloski and Cortnee Daley had two goals each in the loss. Two Duke goals in the final 1:20...including one with a second left...were the difference. We also had a great post-game interview with the Duke head coach Kerstin Kimel, who started the program in 1996, after the game. The recap with Coach Young was...well...a bit subdued and very short. 


The Cards finished regular season play 10-6 and are currently ranked 11th in the nation. Without Faye Brust (knee injury) the attack has suffered but Louisville did knock off #10 Notre Dame to end the season. The Blue Devils ended the regular season with a loss to top-ranked North Carolina in Durham, NC. Louisville could use a win here, or at least a very close game to bolster their hopes to play in the NCAA Tournament this year.

Kaylin Morissette was the sole Card to be selected to the All-ACC Lacrosse team and was a first team selection. 

It'll be on ESPN 3 if you want to play along at home...

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WALZ RETURN AS USA BASKETBALL COACH

The headline may be a bit misleading...Jeff Walz never left the USA to coach anywhere else.

 (imagine Walz coaching the Chinese National team)

What we're trying to say is that the mad scientist will hook up again this summer with Dawn Staley head coaching and Kim Barnes Arico keeping those two in check as they select and take a team to Chekhov, Russia for the USA U-19 World Championships.

The trio won the FIBA Americas U18 title in Colorado Springs last summer. One would surmise that those girls (including Louisville's Mariya Moore) might have the inside track to make the U19 squad...but approximately 30 girls will be involved in the tryouts. You have to be born on or after Jan. 1, 1996 to be considered...CARDINAL COUPLE'S Sonja just missing the cutoff date...

Tryouts are May 14-17, in Colorado Springs at the US Olympic Training Facility and action begins on July 18th against Spain. 

16 nations will quest for the title...a title won by the USA the last five consecutive times. 

Oo-da-chee! (Which is 'good luck' in Russian)

paulie