Softball Notes and Marshall Preview -- Upcoming Interviews -- Derby Week -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

As the semester winds down so does the number of spring events in the realm of athletics.  No. 29 Louisville topped No. 15 Vanderbilt in baseball last night but the only other teams still playing are softball, women's golf, and track and field.

UofL concluded final exams yesterday, coincidentally the same day the city celebrated its 240 birthday.

Hensley Hauls in Awards

Megan Hensley's hot weekend helped her rake in awards.  She was named ACC Pitcher of the Week, Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player of the Week, and USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week.

Megan Hensley at FSU

Over the weekend plus the Monday night game at Florida State the junior batted .500 after going 6-for-12 including a double, three home runs, and nine RBIs.

She now leads the team in batting average (.370), hits (50), doubles (12), home runs (8), and RBI (44).  In the circle, Hensley posts a 3.14 ERA and a 15-7 record.  She has struck out 127 batters while walking 77 and allowing 161 hits.



Softball Hosts Marshall

Although Senior Day happened over the weekend the true final home game for Louisville softball is today at 3:00 p.m.  Louisville comes into the game with a 31-17 record.  This will be their final out-of-conference game.

The Thundering Herd are 23-27-1 and are on a losing streak.  They are lead by Aly Harrell, who bats .360 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs.  Elicia D'Orazio is a threat on the bases and her 43 stolen bases rank fifth in the nation.

Louisville leads the all-time series 4-2, but the two teams have not played each other in a decade.  The Cards swept Marshall 6-2 and 7-0 in a doubleheader on March 12, 2008.

Louisville cannot afford to drop a game this late in the season.  They are on the line in terms of making the NCAA Tournament.  Winning their last four regular season games and making a run in the ACC Tournament should earn them a spot.  Having the 39th best RPI in the country is a plus for a Louisville softball team, that has had struggles in the back half of the season.


Cardinal Couple Plans Interviews with Current and Former Cards

Coach Pearsall and Nicole Pufahl

We at Cardinal Couple hope to help give our readers and followers an insight into UofL athletics with interviews with the student-athletes themselves.  These interviews will consist of learning more about the players' personal lives as well as what it is like to be a student-athlete and the happenings of their respective sports.

Casey Madura (left) and Jillian Balog (right)

Video interviews lined up include Casey Madura (lacrosse senior) and Minout "Mini" Mink (field hockey sophomore).  There are also plans of bringing others onto the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour in the near future including Stephanie "Steph" McNamara (lacrosse alumna) and Nicole Pufahl (softball senior).

Stay tuned to see when these interviews take place!

What Holidays are Today?

The Belle of Louisville

If you like food you can celebrate truffles or tuna or take a baby to lunch, all holidays.  You can also whip out your ukulele and play it while you enjoy a fire.

However, May 2 may be most famously known as the day when Osama Bin Laden was taken out by US Special Force back in 2011.

The Great Steamboat Race, Beerfest, and Urban League Derby Gala are all happening in the Ville today to continue the Derby week celebration.

Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!

Jared