Backs against the wall...Softball loses to Kansas 1-0 -- Saturday Cardinal Couple

CARDS FALL IN 1-0 PITCHERS DUEL 

WILL COACH P GO WITH MCCOMBS TODAY? 

We mentioned the importance of hitting for the Louisville Softball team in the Friday Cardinal Couple edition. Unfortunately, it didn't make the trip to Columbia, MO. with the squad...Louisville getting a mere infield single from Kristina Dillard in seven innings and losing their first round NCAA game to Kansas 1-0 yesterday afternoon.

It was a game delayed by rain at the start and then stopped again in the fourth inning for almost two hours. The moving of the start time from 5 p.m. to 1 p.m. backfired in a sense but rain wasn't the culprit that put Louisville in a "must win" scenario for the rest of the Regional. 

It was the Cardinals trips to the plate. 


Maryssa Becker pitched well enough to deserve a "W" here. The All-ACC performer scattered seven hits and allow the lone run in the third inning when Kansas put together a single, stolen base and another single.

Becker pitched her way out of jams in the second and sixth innings...the Jayhawks loading the bases...but she was able to retire two straight in the second and three straight in the sixth to keep the Cards close.

Kayla Soles sent a deep drive to the left field wall with one out in the bottom of the seventh that looked like it might have a chance to tie it but Kansas left fielder Shannon McGinley made a leaping catch to turn it into just a long out. In Ulmer stadium, that one is a four-bagger. 

The Cards move to the losers bracket and will face Indiana State in an elimination game at 5 p.m (due to continued weather threats, the game will start today at 6:30pm)(We'll keep updating this as changes get announced...current expected start time is 6:30pm). today. ISU got pounded by host Missouri 7-0 after the Cards game yesterday. We're pretty sure this one is on ESPN3 but you just never know...Softball's Twitter account will keep you updated quite nicely as well and you can follow that right here on the Right Side of the Site.

Kramer didn't need Seinfeld
or Elaine to stick the TarHeels

It wasn't all that great of a day for ACC Softball...the league going 2-5 in opening round action. Fla. St. and NC State got the wins. North Carolina fell to Miranda Kramer's one-hitter and Western Kentucky 2-1. Also receiving "L"s were Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Pitt. 

We hope the Cards can get back on track in the first game today with a win. If they do, they would face either "one-loss" (depending on the outcome of their game) Missouri or Kansas. A win would mean that the Cards would keep playing until either they or their opponent gathers that second loss.

If they can't find the bats...it's I-40 and I-64 East for a few hours... 

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E WINS ACC SHOT PUT

Two sport star Emmonnie Henderson won the shot put throw at the ACC Outdoor Championships yesterday on her final throw...hurling a personal best 56-1 (17.09).

She had been passed by Sarah Howard (UNC) and Tremanisha Taylor (NC State) in the fifth round of throws. E responded with the clincher in her sixth and final toss.

From head Track and Field coach Dale Cowper:

" Emmonnie responded to being passed...in the fifth round by hitting a new personal best in the sixth round for the win. She is at her best when she gets challenged and she was definitely challenged today." 

(We hope it is the first of two championships that E can put on her resume...a 2015 NCAA Basketball 1st place finish would be the perfect compliment...) 

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ROWING STROKES TO STRONG SHOWING IN ACC CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Louisville rowing team grabbed two first place finishes and three second place positions that will advance to the grand finals today in Clemson S.C.

Third Varsity 8 and Second Varsity 4 got first place for Derek Copeland's crew and Varsity 8, Second Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 finished behind Virginia for runner up spots. 

Virginia won all five events they participated in and will be the ones to catch in today's championships. 

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WE'RE DOING RADIO TODAY

Be sure to tune in to our weekly CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO

SHOW today at 11 a.m. We're on WCHQ 100.9 FM locally and can also be heard at:

www.crescenthillradio.com

We'll review and discuss softball, volleyball, hoops, rowing, track & field and who knows what else. 

It live, it's unscripted and...it's fun! 

Join Paulie, Worldwide and maybe Sam the dry weather Intern (we never know if he's "in" or "out") for an hour of UofL women's sports discussion. 

Link below for the Internet broadcast of the show:

BALLS, BATS, PADDLES and HATS!  

paulie
xxxxx