Friday, July 15, 2016

LOUISVILLE SOFTBALL SHIFTS THE LINEUP -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


SOFTBALL ADDS TWO ASSISTANTS FOR 2017 SEASON

 There will be a new look on the diamond at Ulmer Stadium next spring...as head coach Sandy Pearsall has added Kassie Stanfill to the staff as an assistant coach, moved Amy Recouper-Servi from director of operations to assistant and Stacy May-Johnson from assistant coach to director of operations. As far as we know, Cheyanne Tarango will continue as volunteer assistant. 
The chance to get Stanfill is huge for the Cards. She returns back to the "Ville" after playing here from 2006-2009 and will work primarily with the pitchers, defense and hitting. 

 She's a great person for that role. While at Louisville, she established several marks that still have her in the top 10 all-time for the Cards...in saves, pitching strikeouts, lowest ERA and opponents batting average. She also hit .293 for the Cards. Sandy Pearsall knows the potential: 

 "Kassie was a great player and a tremendous leader in the program," said Pearsall. "She has the ability to take our pitchers in the right direction and I believe she will excel in that area. Kassie been an assistant under some very good coaches and she's going to bring what she has learned back to our program. She will help take us to the next level."

 Stanfill comes to the Cards from Illinois, where she was an associate coach for the Illini. 

 Recouper-Servi moves into the assistant's role after two years at Louisville as a volunteer coach and director of operations. She knows the program quite well...and played for Pearsall from 1992-1996 at Colorado State. She'll work as a recruiter and with the defense and catchers. Coach P elaborates on the move: 

 "I'm very excited to have Amy on staff with us in this position," said Pearsall. "She was a top-level player and she also brings to the table experience as a head coach and an assistant coach. After working with us as a volunteer coach and then as our director of operations, her knowledge of our team is great. She brings lot of energy to the game and I'm looking forward to what she can do in this role."

Louisville went 35-17 last year, making it to the NCAA Regionals in Columbia, MO. Louisville finished second in the ACC standings. The Cards had eight players bat .298 or higher and pitchers Maryssa Becker and Megan Hensley return...having accomplished a 2.30 opponents ERA last year while in the circle. In addition, Pearsall has brought an incredible freshman class on campus and it will be hard to keep several of the freshmen out of the everyday lineup. 

 Pearsall has assembled an impressive staff for 2017. Moving Stacy May-Johnson to D.O.O. continues the strength and viability of that position. May-Johnson's extensive experience with USA Softball will no doubt help her in the new role.

 Will 2017 be the year that the Cards advance out of NCAA Regional play to the Super Regionals and beyond?

 Based on the talent level returning (the outfield, pitching and catching battery returns intact...plus eight of the top ten hitters return) we see 2017 as the year Louisville "Super-sizes" their season. 

 paulie
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6 comments:

  1. Anonymous7/15/2016 11:24 AM

    Paulie do you see this as a pivot-able year for Louisville Softball. Pearsall has been coach awhile. This is a youth movement in staff with the changes. Does Pearsall have to reach the next level to ensure her sustainability? The Deb Factor.

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  2. Cardinal Couple7/15/2016 12:02 PM

    I see it differently, Deb. The Cards were second in the ACC last season and a strong nucleus returns. If anything, Pearsall may just be on the brink of several highly successful seasons where the Cards go further than they have been in recent years. Stanfill joining the staff is certainly very exciting and in terms of a pivitable season...I see it as the start of some very exciting years...last year was ground-breaking in ACC success and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cards challenging FSU for the league title again...and maybe taking it.

    Paulie

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  3. Anonymous7/15/2016 2:00 PM

    Paulie I have a question, who's in the top 10 U of L Women's Basketball team of all time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7/15/2016 2:21 PM

      We have had the debate about the top five before. Top 10? Give me a little time to think about it. Fire away readers on your team.
      Paulie

      Delete
  4. Merv7/15/2016 9:55 PM

    I want to know because my list might be short I didn't start watching Louisville women's basketball until angel mccoughtry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cardinal Couple7/15/2016 10:27 PM

      Angel would definitely be on that list. She played with Jazz Covington, who also makes the cut. Sara Nord was a bit before them and merits selection. Kristin Mattox, Valerie Owens and Neil Knox are as far back as I will go. Toss in Shoni, C.B. Mo and Myisha and that's a pretty good ten.

      Not sure if that's going to be my "official top ten" yet...but it's a pretty good place to start!

      Paulie

      Delete

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