IN-KY All Star Game, Omaha (Nearly) Set -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Evans Big for Indiana in Series

The high school all-stars from the states of Kentucky and Indiana faced off in a home and home series this weekend. Kentucky, for the first time since 2013, won the first game on Saturday in Indianapolis behind a big second half. Their high feelings were deflated yesterday, though, as Indiana came right back to split the series in Frankfort. Although Indiana fell in the opener, Louisville signee, Dana Evans, put up 18 points for the Hoosier team in the first game. She was the leading scorer in the game.

In the second game, Evans stuffed the stat sheet. She finished with eight points and four rebounds and led all players with six assists and five steals. While scoring is nice, which she showed in the first game, the utility she showed in the second game is what will be huge for a freshman on a Jeff Walz team. Evans is sure to be a strong contributor to the Cards, and she intends to begin work in Louisville as early as this month. Other Louisville signee, Lindsey Duvall, was held out of this series as she recovers from a minor knee surgery.

Omaha Looms

The College World Series is set to begin this weekend, and the brackets are nearly completed. Only Florida and Wake Forest remain in the super regional round. The Gators have a one game lead, but Wake Forest leads by a run in game two. The game was suspended last night in the fifth inning. 

The CWS has a strange format, but it is a combination of formats we have already seen. With eight teams in Omaha, the squads are split into two four-team groups. These groups will play in a double elimination format just like the one we saw during the regional round. The winners of these two groups will advance to the finals, a best of three matchup just like the super regional round. Louisville will get started with a first game against Texas A&M rather than UNC or Houston (the two regional hosts from that bracket). Their bracket also contains TCU and the winner of the Wake and Florida super regional. The other bracket contains Oregon State, Cal State Fullerton (gross), Florida State (also gross), and LSU. Despite their history, Louisville (if they make it to the finals) would probably most like to face CSUF. However, to be the best, you have to be able to beat the best, and that's what Louisville will need to do if they wish to end the year with a dogpile.

Louisville is a clunking 1-6 in CWS play in their history. Of course, bowing out of the CWS early is better than having never been, but I would venture to say that Dan McDonnell is tired of losing. Louisville has never won their first game in Omaha, and their only win came in the loser's bracket during their first appearance 10 years ago. McDonnell has a team capable of making Louisville's first big statement in the CWS and this team is ready to "run towards the roar." Here's hoping that path to the roar includes a few trips around the base paths.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-