Loucrosse lights up Brown 14-6...Softball topples Hilltoppers 12-0...McDonald's Girls game -- THURDSAY CARDINAL COUPLE

GERDING GETS FOUR UNDER THE LIGHTS

Night time Lacrosse debuted in Louisville last evening and it seemed to agree with Kellie Young's UofL Lacrosse team...winning over Brown 14-6. Senior mid-fielder Cortnee Daley commented on the evening action: 

" I thought it was really cool. It reminds you of that Friday night high school kind of feeling. It wasn't that hard to adjust to it." 

The Cards (12-1) had a little trouble adjusting to the Bears defense at the start of this one...falling behind 2-0 in the first ten minutes before Kaylin Morissette connected for the Cards. Kelli Gerding followed with the first of her four scores to tie it with fifteen minutes left in the half.

The Cards wore Pink jerseys for the game. Brown
wore...wait for it...brown jerseys. 

Louisville was tied at 3-3 with Brown with two minutes left until the intermission...but went on a late scoring frenzy...Jillian Balog getting her first score of the game and Hannah Koloski going for an unassisted goal with 31 seconds left in the half to give the Cards a 5-3 advantage. 

What did coach Kellie cover in the locker room to get the Cards ready for the second half? Coach reveals:

"We just told them to follow the scout and do what the coaches told them to do." 

It worked. 

The Cards started the second half with six goals in 6 1/2 minutes to take a commanding 11-3 lead after Madison Hoover picked up her first score of the evening. It was a 8-0 spanning two halves and Brown was befuddled. Hoover would score again and Gerding and Daley would find the net in the final nine minutes to give Louisville the eight-point victory. 

The road gets tougher for Loucrosse next with a trip to North Carolina on April 9th. Until then, the Cards will practice to figure out the Tar Heels potent offensive attack and preserve their #5 national ranking.  

We talk to Coach Young post game link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0mDuVLU09k&feature=youtu.be

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TWO GRAND SLAMS SPUR SOFTBALL 12-0 WIN AT WESTERN. 

For two consecutive games, the Louisville softball team slugged two gland slams in a game and took a five-inning, 12-0 win in Bowling Green last night over WKU. 

The Cards recorded seven runs in the second inning, aided by Lillie Goetz's base clearer. Louisville started the inning with a Nicole Pufahl walk and back-to-back singles from Brittany Sims and Morgan Meyer to fill the bags. A walk to Sidney Melton forced home the first run of the game. Becker contributed a two RBI single and after Megan Hensley was hit by a pitch to fill the bags again... Goetz delivered a crushing shot over the right field fence to make it 7-0 Louisville.

The third inning provided more fireworks for the Cardinal batters. Pufahl doubled to start the inning and scored after a Jordan McNary infield single. A Melton single and walk to Becker loaded them up for Hensley's base-clearing "Goodbye Mr. Spalding"...UofL had a 12-0 lead after three. 

Becker was brilliant in the circle...allowing just four hits and striking out five in five innings. The win was Louisville's 11th. in a row and the Cards have run-ruled their opponents in the last four games. 

Up next, the Hit and Pitch Cards head to Chapel Hill for a three-game series against the Tar Heels this weekend. 

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KYLEE, CIERA SHINE IN ALL-STAR GAME.

Louisville WBB signees Kylee Shook and Ciera Johnson tested their talents against 22 other All-Americans in the McDonald's Girls All-Star game last night and both showcased their skills that they'll bring to Louisville.

Make no mistake about it. Ciera Johnson has a knack for controlling what goes on in the paint and contributed 12 points and nine rebounds for the East squad. #40 was toiling against the West's best inside and not backing down. 

Kylee Shook showed her overall versatile game and picked up two points and four rebounds for the victorious West squad. 

Erin Boley, the Elizabethtown Exemplar, finished with 13 points, six grabs and three assists for the East....who forced overtime but fell apart in the three-minute extra session...losing 97-88. Notre Dame is going to love her game.

Remember the names Sabrina Ionescu (undeclared) and Amber Ramirez (TCU). These two sharp-shooting guards were unconscious in the contest with their three-point shooting and on-the-court skills. 

paulie
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Louisville Lacrosse Under the Lights tonight...Softball goes to WKU...McDonald's Girls Game -- Wednesday CARDINAL COUPLE

HISTORIC GAME FOR LOUCROSSE TONITE

Tonight's Louisville Lacrosse game against Brown is the first ever in Louisville Lacrosse history that will be played under the lights at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium. 

The LAX Cards (11-1, 3-1) are tied for second place in the ACC and ranked sixth nationally. Going into the Brown game, the Cards are coming off a 15-7 win at home over ACC foe Virginia Tech. Hannah Koloski tallied four scores for UofL and three Cardinals gathered hat-tricks in the win.


Brown is 4-4 on the season...falling to Cornell 10-2 in their last outing. The matchup is the first ever between the two schools and the first time Kellie Young's squad has faced an Ivy League opponent. 

Interested in learning more about Lacrosse? A former Louisville Lacrosse player will conduct a Lacrosse 101 fun seminar during the game. Interested parties can meet in the north end zone shortly before the contest. 

Lacrosse matches offer free admission and (usually) a food truck. Come out and be a part of this historic game for the Louisville Lacrosse program. 

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#25 SOFTBALL HEADS TO THE HILL TONITE

Louisville Softball (22-6, 8-1) takes a break from ACC action today with a trip to Bowling Green to face the WKU Hilltoppers for a 7 p.m. contest. 

The Cards are in second place in the ACC and currently riding a 10-game win streak. They swept the series last weekend against North Carolina State...scoring at least 10 runs in each of the three games. UofL posted a 19-3 win on Saturday...which featured a 15-run third inning. 

Maryssa Becker has posted an 11-4 record and also leads the Cards with a .420 batting average. Megan Hensley is 11-2 on the season and is one of seven Cards batting over .300. 

WKU (11-15), a member of C-USA, enters the game off two losses to North Texas. The Cards lead the series 15-3 and won last year's game 1-0 behind a Kelsi Jones home run and a one-hit pitching performance from Becker. 

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MCDONALD'S GIRLS GAME FEATURES TWO WBB CARDS TONIGHT

Basketball tonight on ESPNU will showcase the talents of two incoming UofL WBB players in Ciera Johnson and Kylie Shook.

The contest takes place before the boys' game and starts at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Elizabethtown, KY star Erin Boley, who is headed to Notre Dame, will also participate in the event...which is being played in Chicago's United Center. 

paulie
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Myisha Hines-Allen named to AP All-American Honorable Mention squad. -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL WBB SOPHOMORE GATHERS ANOTHER POST-SEASON AWARD

Make room in the UofL WBB trophy case. Or maybe bring in an additional one and name it the Myisha Hines-Allen section...the sophomore from Montclair, NJ has been bringing in a lot of hardware lately.

The ACC Player of the Year has been named to the AP All-American Honorable Mention section. She had an excellent season for Jeff Walz's Cards...finishing third in the ACC and leading the Cards in scoring with 17.6 points per game. She also led Louisville in rebounding (8.4). Her shooting % was the highest on the UofL squad (54.7%). She was seventh in ACC free throw percentage (80%), second in defensive rebounds (5.4) and tied for seventh in offensive rebounds (3.0). 

Hines-Allen was a three-time ACC Player of the Week...selected to the ACC First Team and the ACC-All Tournament team. 

And, yes...she's just a sophomore, Cardinal fans. 

The accolades are outstanding for Myisha but we have to wonder if the stats and performance from her this year might have garnered a little higher ranking in the selection process. We figured her for a possible Second Team designation...Third Team at the very least. Only one ACC player gather a spot in the top 15...Brianna Turner landing on the Second Team. 

She joins 26 other players as Honorable Mention awardees. There are some pretty good players she's keeping company with in that designation. From the ACC, Madison Cable and Azura Stevens made the grade. It's a bit surprising that no Syracuse players are on the roster. The PAC 12 has just three players appointed...while the SEC landed four in the category for honorable mention. 

Nevertheless...congratulations to the hard-working paint-player for the Cards and all who gathered recognition. 

First Team
Breanna Stewart, UConn
A'ja Wilson, South Carolina
Moriah Jefferson, UConn
Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State
Rachel Banham, Minnesota

Second Team
Nina Davis, Baylor
Brianna Turner, Notre Dame
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
Morgan Tuck, UConn
Jamie Weisner, Oregon State

Third Team
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Maryland
Kelsey Plum, Washington
Brittney Martin, Oklahoma State
Jillian Alleyne, Oregon
Aerial Powers, Michigan State

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order)
Ameryst Alston, Ohio State; Imani Boyette, Texas; Madison Cable, Notre Dame; Jordin Canada, UCLA; Alaina Coates, South Carolina; Nia Coffey, Northwestern; Lexi Eaton Rydalch, BYU; Makayla Epps, Kentucky; Nathalie Fontaine, Ball State; Bashaara Graves, Tennessee; Ruth Hamblin, Oregon State;Myisha Hines-Allen, Louisville; Bria Holmes, West Virginia; Chanise Jenkins, DePaul; Alexis Jones, Baylor; Brionna Jones, Maryland; Jonquel Jones, George Washington; Niya Johnson, Baylor; Jackie Kemph, Saint Louis; Whitney Knight, Florida Gulf Coast; Kelsey Minato, Army; Jasmine Nwajei, Wagner; Shereesha Richards, Albany; Azura Stevens, Duke; Courtney Walker, Texas A&M; Sydney Wiese, Oregon; Courtney Williams, South Florida

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CARDINAL COUPLE PICK "EM" RESULTS

Sixty games have been played in the NCAA WBB Tournament and three remain. And, it looks like it has come down to three contestants for the title: 

Your FINAL FOUR teams are Connecticut, Oregon St. Syracuse and Washington. 

The Deb Factor is still leading the way with a 45-15 tally. She has UConn and Syracuse advancing to the title game and UConn winning it all. Viva "Q" is tied with Jenny O for second place with 44-16 records. Viva "Q" has a Syracuse vs. UConn final with Syracuse winning it all. Jenny O. has UConn playing Maryland.  

Can anyone defeat the Huskies? They looked a bit vulnerable early last night against Texas but still managed to win going away. Oregon St. continues to be undeniable...setting the Fighting Mulkeys from Baylor aside in an exciting contest. 

Three games to go. Bring 'em out, bring 'em out !!!

paulie

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Danielle Cosgrove...A player to watch for 2018 -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

THE NEXT "STEWIE"? COSGROVE IMPRESSES

We get a lot of questions about UofL WBB recruiting here at CARDINAL COUPLE and, although that aspect of basketball isn't one I follow with a wild-eyed interest or passion, I recently saw a mix tape of a very intriguing 2018 prospect that has Louisville on her prospective list. 

Meet Danielle Cosgrove. a 6'4" post from Sachem East in Farmingville, NY. This smooth operator also plays for the renown Philly Belles club team. She scores, she rebounds, she plays defense and the central Long Island star looks quite similar to incoming Card Kylie Shook. I'll go a step further. At this point in her young career, is she the next Breanna Stewart?

Watch the You Tube clip at the bottom of this article. You will see, like I did, how hard she works inside the paint. Notice that she can step outside and hit the long range jumper with a smooth release and relative ease. Defensively, she gets after it and watch how easily she can create space for herself in the paint to get open and score. She goes to the boards to rebound with aggression and seems comfortable with either hand on the dribble or the pass. She's got speed as well and can get out on the transition break. 

So, who is in her wheel base? The Cards have offered. Other schools she mentions are Michigan, Wisconsin, St. John, Fordham, Lafayette and Ole Miss. No mention of UConn yet...but it is still very early in the recruiting process for her. 

She's one to keep an eye on. A player who is looking very special with two years of high school yet to go. 

Players go through a lot of changes throughout their high school careers...just like college basketball programs. Louisville gets a lot of national recognition for the great recruiting classes they've had over the last three years. Words like "future dynasty", "the next UConn" and "potential powerhouse" get tossed around when Louisville women's basketball is mention. The key to the transition is turning these high school stars and All-Americans into competitive and effective college players. Another key is seeing how a particular player reacts when the rest of the college basketball world starts to send the letters, texts and coaches. 

We've seen the transition of the 2014 Cardinal recruiting class into a sophomore supreme scenario with Myisha Hines-Allen, Mariya Moore and Arica Carter. The 2015 Class established Asia Durr as a powerful Card for the future and the sophomore season for this group should see the continued development of several more in that class. We'll watch the growth of the incoming 2016 juggernaut class that is so impressive and awarded.

And...we are continuing to see the "Walz effect" when looking to 2017 and 2018. 

Exciting times ahead, no doubt. 

LINK TO TAPE: DANIELLE COSGROVE


paulie
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Fun on Floyd - Sunday Cardinal Couple

HAPPY EASTER!

We wish a happy Easter to all our Cardinal Couple readers! Whether you're gathering for a meal, planning on a day of basketball watching or just enjoying the candy you pilfered from your kids baskets...may the peace of the season be upon you this day and many more! 

A Fifteen Frame for Softball

In NCAA Softball, the run-rule says that if either team is leading by at least eight runs at the end of any inning after the 5th, the game is over.  This can result in games being as short at 4 1/2 innings if the home team is leading by eight or more points after four innings and the visiting team doesn't score enough in the top of the 5th to close that margin.

That happened rather easily yesterday in the 19-3 win in the final game of the UofL Softball series with NC State.

There were some hints in the first inning that there were going to be a few unusual things to this game.  Things got started with Sidney Melton getting a single, and Maryssa Becker got hit by a pitch to move Melton to 2nd.  Then a career first stolen base by Maryssa Becker as the Cards pull off a masterful double-steal.  We here at Cardinal Couple don't mince words when it comes to pointing out that Becker is not a very fast base runner.  She's a CC favorite, but speed is not her strong point, so to see her with a stolen base makes the ears perk up. 

After the double-steal, Megan Hensley flew out to left, but the much quicker Melton got home after the tag, and the throw to home to try to catch her allowed Becker to advance to 3rd.  Lillie Goetz walked, Jenna Jordan got a double shot out to right field which scored Becker and the quick Goetz advanced to 3rd.  As testament to the Goetz speed, Brittany Sims then popped out to the short-stop, and Goetz reached home on the tag.  Sarah Lopesilvero singled up the middle, which brought Jordan around 3rd and to home to finish the first inning tally at 4.  The Cards did load up the bases again, but NC State was able to get out the jam.

The 2nd inning was blank for both sides, but things got interesting again in the 3rd.  NC State put 3 on the scoreboard in the top half of the frame, but in the bottom half, the wheels really fell off or the Pack.

A double and two walks loaded up the bases for the Cards, and triggered an NC State pitching change.  The Pack brought in their pitcher that had been wearing a boot during the starting line-ups and national anthem presentation...for shin splints according to their Sports Information Director.  Alas, whatever sympathies she may have garnered didn't earn her much time in the circle as she promptly walked two runs home and the starting pitcher re-entered.  The Pack were still looking for answers though, as the first batter faced, Lillie Goetz, cranked her 1st career home-run, a Grand Slam, out to the right field berm.  Now I have to borrow from bad television infomercials, "But wait, there's more!"  Jordan singles, Sims got a walk, and a fielding error on Lopesilvero's at-bat loaded up the bases again for the Cards.

At this point, you could almost hear the Jaws music "du-DUM, du-DUM, du-DUM".  Nicole Pufahl singles, scoring Jordan, McNary reached on a fielding error, scoring Sims, and Melton singles, scoring Lopesilvero.  That's now nine runs scored in the bottom half of the 3rd.  "But don't call yet!"  Maryssa Becker cleared them all with her own Grand Slam, the 2nd of the inning, out to the Brandeis road construction area in left.  "But we're still not done, yet!"  Megan Hensley singles, and Goetz walks.  NC State then swapped their Designated Player for their 1b, so the 1b to go to the bull-pen to warm up as the Pack were still looking for a way out of this nightmare as there was still only one out on the board in exchange for 13 runs.  Jordan grounded out, advancing the runners, then Sims singled out to left field, scoring Goetz and Hensley for a whopping 15 runs in the inning.

Both teams made wholesale changes in the 4th inning, for the Cards at least, it was the equivalent of emptying the benches with a big lead near the end of a basketball game, but there was no scoring on either side.  When NC State couldn't produce anything in the top of the 5th, the game was over on a run-rule, 19-3.

In the post-game interview, a smiling Coach Sandy Pearsall was obviously happy with the performance and focus of the team, and hoped the momentum would carry them forward through a midweek matchup with Western Kentucky, and hopefully next weekend's matchup with UNC in Chapel Hill.

Lacrosse Joins in the Fun

Paulie was on assignment at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium, but after the Softball game concluded, Sam Draut and I walked down Floyd St. to join in the action and caught about the last 20 minutes of Loucrosse's victory over Virginia Tech.

After their romp through the "C" schools, Canisius, Coastal Carolina, and Cincinnati, the Lacrosse squad got back to conference action with a 15-9 win over Virginia Tech.

During the week, Patrick McEwan tweeted a tease about an article that he had written for Inside Lacrosse Magazine where he created "Advanced Draw Control Stats", his teaser tweet concluded, "Turns out @LouisvilleLax's Kaylin Morissette is really good."  To which, I replied, "Next: 'Grass is Green'.  But thanks for noticing! ;)"  To be fair, his massaging of the draw control stats is quite interesting and does do an even better job of demonstrating just how dominant Kay Morissette is in the draw.  She is leading the NCAA basic stats of total draw controls (115, vs Kayla Treanor's 90 from Syracuse) and draw controls per game (10.45 vs Treanor's 10...UofL has played two more games than the Cuse so far this year).  The Inside Lacrosse article is available here.  It ends up focusing more on the team draw control stats, as there is more granularity to work with than the individual draw control stats, but Morissette takes the vast majority of UofL's draws, so it is essentially an analysis of her achievements.

On to the game recap, then!  As Sam and I were walking up, the score was 8-3 with about 20 minutes left in the 2nd half.  Scoring to that point:  Morissette already had a hat trick in the 1st half, Cortnee Daley had two, Hannah Koloski had one, Madison Hoover had one, and Kelli Gerding had one.  As we arrived, VT scored two, then UofL would go on a 5-0 run.  The run started off with Koloski getting her hat trick, Kelli Gerding got her 2nd, Cortnee Daley also picked up a hat trick, and Heidi Smith would get her only point of the game.  The rest of the game was back and forth, with Cardinal goals by Koloski getting her 4th, and Kelli Gerding finishing the hat trick.  VT scored 3 in the last ten minutes with the aid of a couple of UofL yellow cards.

After such a glowing review of Morissette's draw controls in the Inside Lacrosse article, she did have a lackluster day starting the play off with "only" 6, and VT led Louisville 15-11 overall in controlling the starts.

A smiling coach Kellie Young did speak about a few lapses in the post-game interview, including the yellow card fouls; while Morissette, while also smiling from the win, was clearly unhappy with her draw control efforts, and arguably the best draw controller in the country commented about the need to be better on the draw.

We'll have all three of the post-game interviews mentioned here, plus audio from Lillie Goetz after her first career home-run this Saturday on the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour on WCHQ.


Cardinal Couple Bracket Challenge

We're down to an Elite Eight now in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and after an upset-filled Friday, Saturday's games were fairly predictable. Congratulations to UConn, Texas, Baylor, Oregon State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Stanford and Washington for advancing. A bit of surprise in the roster...with three Pac-12 teams in the mix, two from the Big 12, and one each for the AAC, ACC and SEC.

The Deb Factor remains atop the field with a 43-13 record. She is closely followed by Jenny O, Kenny S, and Viva "Q" who have compiled 42-14 marks. Seven contestants follow at 41-15. 

Seven games remain. Can the Syracuse magic continue? Which PAC 12 school will emerge out of a probably vacant Rupp Arena? 

Can Texas slow down the UConn juggernaut? Can Kim Mulkey continue to prove Barack Obama wrong by beating a ferocious group of Beavers? 

Should be fun! GOOD LUCK TO ALL! 

jmca

Softball slugs by NC St...Lacrosse today!...Upset Friday in NCAA WBB -- Saturday CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL SWEEPS THE PACK 10-1, 12-9

Louisville Softball produced 24 hits and 22 runs in a slugfest at Ulmer Stadium Friday afternoon...sweeping the NC State Wolfpack 10-1 and 12-9 in ACC Softball action. With the wins, the Hit and Pitch Cards improve to 21-9 on the season and 7-1 in ACC play. 

Duck and cover for the reviews! 

CARDS 10 - NC STATE 1

Louisville attacked the Pack early in the first game, scoring a run in the first inning when a Lillie Goetz ground-out brought home Sidney Melton. It was 2-0 after two...Jordam McNary tripled with two outs to right field...scoring Brittany Sims.

Louisville added four more in the fourth...Goetz's two RBI double the big blow in the frame as the Cards pushed the advantage to 6-1. More strong hitting in the fifth ended it...Ashley Nikolao scoring on a McNary sacrifice bunt and Megan Hensley driving in three with her squad-best seventh home run with McNary and Nicole Pufahl aboard. 

Maryssa Becker picked up her tenth win of the year...going the five innings with six strikeouts and allowing just three hits. 

LOUISVILLE 12 - NC STATE 9

NC State started the scoring in the nightcap by plating two runs off starter Hensley. The Cards evened it up in the bottom of the first on a Hensley RBI ground-out and a Jenna Jordan run-scoring single. 

A two-run blast by NC State's Brittany Nimmo swung the advantage back to the Wolfpack but UofL exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the second...Becker driving in McNary with a single and Melton scoring on a NC State error. A walk to Sims with the bases loaded got Becker home and a Pufahl single pushed two more. Melton's single capped the scoring and the Cards had a 7-2 lead. 

NC State would touch Hensley for two runs in the third and after the Cards produced two runs to take a 9-6 lead...the Wolfpack countered with three runs to tie it 9-9 in the top of the fifth. 

Louisville found the bats again in the bottom of the fifth...after walks to Hensley and Becker, singles from Jordan and Sims resulted in two runs scored to give the Cards a 11-9 lead. Becker took to the circle in the sixth and shut down NC State the rest of the way...UofL added an insurance run in the sixth when Melton got her fourth hit of the game, stole second to keep her perfect streak of 11 stolen bases alive and scored on a Hensley single. 

The Cards have won nine in a row now and face the Wolfpack today at noon to complete the series. 

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LACROSSE FACES VA. TECH TODAY

The 10-1 Louisville Lacrosse squad, ranked #6 nationally, returns to ACC play today when they face Va.Tech for a 1 p.m. start in the LLS. The Cards are 2-1 in ACC play and have won their last three contests...all out of conference.

The Hokies come to town with a 5-7 record and 0-2 in ACC play. They are currently on a five-game losing streak. 

Hannah Koloski registered five goals in Louisville's last outing...a 11-7 triumph at Cincinnati. Cortnee Daley leads Louisville in scoring with 31 net-finders, Koloski is next with 30 and Kaylin Morissette has connected 26 times. 

Both Softball and Lacrosse have Easter Egg hunts planned for pre-game festivities...so pack up the kiddies and attend one of these two events on the Belknap Campus today. 

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A WILD FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE NCAA...

March Madness lived up to its billing last night with four upsets in Sweet Sixteen play.

In Lexington, it was bye-bye Kitties...who suffered a 85-72 shellacking by #7 seed Washington. Rupp Arena might well be vacant Sunday...Stanford took out #1 seed Notre Dame in the second game 90-84.

Things were just as crazy in Sioux Falls last night. #4 seed Syracuse sent #1 seed South Carolina home with an exciting 80-72 win.

Say it with me:   Q !!!!!

The Tennessee Vols, another #7 seed, dispatched of #3 Ohio State 78-62 in the other Sioux Falls surprise. 

How's your bracket picks look now? 

Four more games tonight to get us to an Elite Eight. UConn and Mississippi State do battle in Bridgeport for the right to face the winner of the Texas v. UCLA contest. Down in Dallas, Doug Bruno will try to keep the DePaul magic conjecturing and the upset train rolling when his #6 seed Blue Demons tangle with #2 seed Oregon State. 

Will we see another night of surprises? Come March, you just never know...

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NO RADIO FOR YOU

The CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR takes a week off today...being pre-empted by the Crescent Hill Easter Parade on Frankfort Avenue live broadcast on WCHQ 100.9 and streaming live on the internet at crescenthillradio.com

It's a fun event, Tara Bassett will be the gal-on-the-street providing commentary and descriptions. Give it a listen.

We've debated dressing Worldwide up as Ralphie in the  Christmas Story with the pink bunny outfit and shoes...but we're pretty sure he'd decline the assignment. Paulie's idea to dress as a chocolate bar and carry a sign reading "Eat Me" was disallowed by parade officials. Emphatically.

We'll see you next week on the radio.

paulie
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Friday Softball doubleheader vs NC State...NCAA WBB Tournament...Will you watch? -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL VS. WOLFPACK

Easter weekend gets off to a fun start with NC State coming to Ulmer Stadium for a three game set. The teams will play a doubleheader today that starts at 2 p.m. and a single game that includes an Easter Egg hunt prior to a Saturday noon first pitch. 

The Cards (19-6, 5-1) come into the game after a three game sweep at Virginia. Maryssa Becker, ACC Co-Player of the Week carries a .423 batting average and 1.65 ERA into the series. NC State (15-15, 2-1) enters today's doubleheader after losing a midweek contest to East Carolina. 

Temperature outlook is mid 50's today with skies clearing this afternoon...so make a Good Friday and attend the games. Admission is free at Ulmer and concessions are available.

If the crack of the bat and catch at the wall is your thing...you can also catch Louisville baseball at 6 p.m. against top-ranked Virginia tonight at Jim Patterson Stadium. A great hat trick for today! 

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NCAA WBB SWEET SIXTEEN...WILL YOU WATCH? 

With Louisville out of the NCAA Tournament, will you watch the remainder of the action? Will you see if DePaul can continue the magic against a very talented Oregon St. squad on Saturday? Will you tune in tonight to cheer for or against UK as they face a surprising seventh seeded Washington squad? 

There are some very interesting match ups ahead over the next two days. Another #7 seed...Tennessee looks to pull the upset over Kelsey Mitchell and Ohio State. Can Mississippi St. perform an Easter weekend miracle over #1 UConn? How will ACC squads Syracuse, Florida State and Notre Dame fare against perennial powers Baylor, South Carolina and Stanford? How many of you figured it would be UCLA vs. Texas in Bridgeport Saturday night? 

Who survives this weekend to gain a trip to Indianapolis? In our contest, I had UConn, Louisville, Ohio State and Notre Dame making the Final Four.  How many of your Sweet Sixteen picks are still alive? I've got 12 of the 16 that are still dancing. In our contest, a couple of competitors have 13 teams still alive. 

What say you? 

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DEAD AIR

Our critically acclaimed CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR will not be broadcast tomorrow. The Crescent Hill Easter Parade on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville will be aired Saturday morning in our place...an annual broadcast for WCHQ. 

It's a big event and we understand. We encourage you to tune in and listen to Tara Bassett's gal-on-the-street live broadcast. 

We'll be back next week. We assume. 

paulie
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Taja Cole transferring from Louisville WBB -- Thursday CARDINAL COUPLE

TAJA COLE LEAVING LOUISVILLE

Fallout happens. Taja Cole is leaving the University of Louisville WBB squad. The 5'7" All-American guard has announced she is leaving UofL via Twitter: 

Cole saw just six minutes in the NCAA Tournament loss to DePaul Sunday. She was on the court for 20 minutes in the opening round win against UCA. 

During the season Cole shared the point guard slot with Arica Carter and at times Dakota Weatherford, who was called on for her defensive skills. Asia Durr also negotiated the position. 

On the season Cole saw six starts and averaged 2.9 ppg in roughly 15 minutes per game, which was seventh-highest on the team. She was seen as a backup to Carter in most scouting reports, a fairly decent defender but never really got un-tracked as a shooter for the Cards. 

And, that's the way it is in the world of college basketball.

Players look for playing time. With Carter, Durr and Weatherford returning...Sydney Zambrotta coming in as a freshman...plus Jazmine Jones capable of playing either guard slot...the 2016-17 competition for point guard playing could be quite the battle and time for Cole most likely wasn't going to increase unless the off-season work ethic and skills wowed those watching. 

It's not the first player to ever transfer out of the Louisville women's basketball program...although it is the first All-American to opt-out...and won't be the last one to change jerseys. Playing time. Everyone wants it but you have to earn it. 

Here at CARDINAL COUPLE, we wish @teamcole5 the best and hope she has a great career wherever she ends up. 

paulie
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