Softball Opens Series with Win -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Two Big Innings Lift Diamond Cards

Louisville opened a weekend series with Virginia yesterday afternoon trying to beat the rain. After failing to close any of the three games against Florida State last week, Louisville needed some conference love this week. Last night, the offense was able to make it happen. The Cards trailed twice yesterday, and twice they were able to string together enough offense to take the lead. 

With all of the solo shots, yesterday's game felt like an
exhibition of power.

Virginia opened the scoring with a bases loaded, two run single in the second inning. The Cards were unable to answer immediately, but put together a three run third inning, highlighted by a Tiarra Sanabria solo homer to jump out in front. Virginia, not to be outdone, hit solo home runs in each of the next three innings. Fortunately, Louisville pitcher, Maryssa Becker, was able to limit the damage to just those dingers and Louisville trailed 5-3 in the sixth. What followed was a combination of small ball, grit, and luck. Louisville put together a 4 run bottom of the sixth using no more power than a one out double. They trailed 5-4 with runners on second and third and two outs. Three straight two out singles (with a couple of errors) plated unearned runs to put the Cards up 7-5. Becker opened the seventh inning by allowing the first two runners to get on base before Coach Pearsall put Megan Hensley, the starter of yesterday's game, back in for the save opportunity. Hensley made short work of the three batters she faced and that was the game.

Louisville now sits at 27-17 and 10-7 in conference play. They're fourth in the conference, just a game and a half behind third place Boston College. The Cards are actually even with the Eagles overall with BC having played two more games. Virginia, at 8-14 is fourth from the bottom in the conference and Louisville desperately needs this sweep to keep the gap behind BC minimal. Boston College is currently playing Georgia Tech, the second to last place team in the league. Barring any rain difficulties, Louisville and Virginia will continue their series today at Ulmer at 1PM.

Radio Heads

The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour is back again, unable to be scared off by storms that wake up the entire city in the middle of the night. Paulie, Jeff, and I will talk softball, postseason play for lacrosse and tennis, what new things we know about men's and women's basketball, and anything else we can fit into the hour. Tune into 100.9 WCHQ FM, download the WCHQ FM app, or hit up Crescent Hill Radio's website at 11AM to get your fix of the joy and excitement of UofL women's athletics live on the air.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-