Softball to UK -- WBB Review -- New Pres -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Softball Tries to Break an Even Series

If you're looking for something to do tonight head down I-64 to Lexington and catch Louisville softball take on rival Kentucky tonight at 7:00 p.m.  Their baseball counterparts fell to the Wildcats last night 8-5.

Nicole Pufahl cranks one to the outfield

Louisville enters the match-up with a record of 24-11 and are in the receiving votes category for the Top 25 in at least one poll for a fifth straight week.  The Cards have lost two straight to the team in blue, including the controversial thunderstorm delay in 2016.  The series is tied 19-19.

#21 Kentucky is 21-11 on the year after run-ruling EKU 10-0 last night.  They have lost five of their last seven games, but had a 10-game win streak right before.

The Wildcats' offense is the real deal, averaging almost six runs per game.  Six players bat above .300 (40 at bats min.) with Bailey Vick batting .419 and Katie Reed batting .410 to lead the way.  Kentucky has outhit opponents 25-183 and outscored opponents 182-102.  Abby Cheek is a threat at the plate with nine home runs and 33 rbi's this season.  She is one of nine Wildcats, who have combined for 28 dingers, to hit a home run.

Kentucky's bullpen is tough, but is where Louisville hopes to make its mark.  Five pitchers have seen action for Kentucky and have a combined ERA of 2.86.  They have limited opposing team's hits to 183, but have surrendered 102 runs off of those.  The strikeout-walk ratio as an even 2:1.  If Grace Baalman takes the circle the Cards will have their work cut out for them.  She posts a 1.95 ERA with 65 strikeouts and a 10-3 record.

Depending if the Cards wake up or not they could upset Kentucky on their home turf.  This team is looking for a resume building win and a victory over a non-conference rival sure would help.

I will be down there to document the events with my trusty Nikon and will get those posted as soon as possible.

Recapping Women's Basketball

I have been a women's basketball fan since I first became a Louisville fan in the fall of 2012.  The style of game play and the excitement from the sport quickly drew my interest.  Jeff Walz is the type of guy to tell you as it is and doesn't beat around the bush with excuses, which I like.

Myisha Hines-Allen

Later that basketball season I found myself with twenty-nine other pep band members plus Al Greener in New Orleans competing for a national championship.  The final result of that game did not turn out as we wanted, but that season really drew me into the women's basketball program.

This year was by far my favorite UofL WBB season in the six years I have followed them.  What stood out to me most was how close this team was.  In the past, there have been cases of the 'me' players that spent more time worrying about themselves or what they were doing on the court than the team as a whole.  This team cared nothing for the amount of playing time they got or the number of points or rebounds they got.

Arica Carter and Asia Durr

Asia goes off for another 20+ point performance... they all love it.  Myisha posts another double-double... the team beats Walz to her for congratulations.  Jess hits a three... the bench is jumping out of their chairs screaming.  Dana breaks five defenders' ankles on a drive to the basket... the team has their jaws on the floor and are still cheering.  This team supported one another and cared about each other more than any other team I have seen this season.

My favorite win of the year was the 33-point victory over Notre Dame.  For a Top-5 game I expected a tight battle.  I never thought we would see the razzle dazzle performance our Cards would end up putting on.

Unlike sports such as field hockey, softball, and lacrosse, covering women's basketball is a ticketed event.  Yes, so is volleyball, but there aren't 20 different photographers in attendance at Cardinal Arena every home game.

Charlie S, Al B, Paul

It was a pleasant surprise when their SID, Nick Evans, was gracious enough to grant the Cardinal Couple team two media passes and one photographer pass (Sonya joined us on the weekends).  While Paulie manned media row next to former mayor Jerry Abramson, I joined the ranks of the stressed out photographers hoping not to get another closeup of the ref's rear end.

Although I was not able to go to the first two rounds of the NCAA because of work I was available to cover the postseason games that followed.  It was a lovely treat to join our site's captain in Lexington and Columbus for more exciting basketball whether the photo spots were on the floor or hiding somewhere way above the 200 sections.

Jaz Jones and Sam Fuehring

Some of my photos this year were pretty solid and some of them look like the came from a flip phone.  From the first game of the season to the final one I believe the pictures improved as my experience with shooting the game and what to look for progressed.

I would like to thank all of you at Cardinal Couple, and especially Paulie (!!!) for the wonderful opportunity to photograph all of the action, celebrations, and emotions from this season.

UofL Hires a President

Days without a full-time president: 0.  Well, sort of.  Yesterday, the University of Louisville announced that Dr. Neeli Bendapudi would become the next president.  Bendapudi is currently the provost at Kansas University.  It is only fitting that two hundred twenty years to the day Louisville adds another president to the university's long history, this one being the eighteenth.  Bendapudi is also Louisville's first woman president.  I know many of you are happy to see Greg Postel go.

Neeli Bendapudi

Bendaupdi will begin her time as a Cardinal on May 15.  Her initial contract is six years with a base salary of $650,000 and a potential bonus of $125,000.  To compare, her salary is much less than Vince Tyra ($850,000, Courier Journal), Bobby Petrino ($3.9 million, USA Today), Chris Mack ($4 million, Courier Journal), Jeff Walz ($1.15 million + bonuses, Courier Journal), and Dan McDonnell ($1.15 million, Courier Journal).

Bendapudi plans to use the university-owned house on Longest Ave. as her place of residence.


Fall Sports Try Their Hands and Feet at Spring


If you have been dying to see some fall sports action again tonight is your night!  Women's soccer will face Butler at 8:30 p.m.  Being a spring game there should not be overtime, golden goal, or PK's in the event of a draw at the end of regulation.  The game has been advertised as free admission.

You can get a chance to see next year's volleyball team in action in town this Saturday.  They will showcase their talents and skills at the KIVA / Ohio Valley Volleyball Complex by the zoo in a series of matches throughout the day.  The facilities website has admission listed as $5 and there has not been anything said otherwise by UofL.

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With the hiring of a full-time university president, athletic director, and men's basketball coach 2018 is finally starting to shape up into something good for UofL.  The successes of many of the winter and spring teams add to the good news.  Perhaps we will see some more on the softball diamond tonight.

Happy 404 (4/04) day!  Hopefully you encounter no errors!

Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!

- Jared -