Softball Opens ACC With Win; Sliney Advances -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Softball Takes Down Syracuse in ACC Opener

It took more late inning heroics, but the Louisville softball offense once again brought enough support to earn a hardworking pitcher the win in yesterday afternoon's game against Syracuse. It was a comeback, marred by errors, but ultimately, Louisville came together for a big bottom of the sixth inning to snag their first lead and simultaneously put the game away. 

Danielle Watson got the start and pitched pretty well. She finished having allowed only 5 hits and 1 walk. She struck out 9 in her complete game effort. With her defense giving up four errors, Watson finished having allowed no earned runs in the game. It's another solid start for Watson, who has now pushed her record this season up over .500 as a pitcher after sitting at 2-4 earlier this year.

Louisville threatened early, getting runners on second and third with nobody out in the first inning before a pair of strikeouts and a runner caught going home ended the inning. Syracuse got the scoring started after a single and sac bunt put a runner in scoring position in the third inning. Louisville's second error of the game allowed the run to come in, and another ground ball put a runner at third with two outs. Fortunately, the Cards avoided an error on the fourth ground ball of the inning and got the out. Again, Louisville threatened in the bottom half, loading the bases with two outs, but getting nothing from it.

The Cards finally tied the game in the fifth inning, after Sidney Melton brought home Celene Funke, who had led off the inning with her second triple of the game. The Cards would get no more and we moved to the sixth inning tied. Syracuse looked to create havoc in the sixth, putting runners on second and third with only one out. Another Cardinal error brought in the go ahead run before Watson got a 3 pitch strikeout and induced a groundout to keep the inning from getting out of hand.

In the bottom half, Louisville's offense finally stopped threatening and did something meaningful.

After a fly out, Taylor Roby doubled, and was replaced on the base by Jordyn Wolfe. After a Cassady Greenwood strikeout left the Cards with one out, Maddy Newman calmly laid down a bunt single, and advanced to second on the throw. Syracuse refused to give Celene Funke the opportunity to score two runs with a third triple, so they walked her on four pitches. Joke was on them, though, as Sidney Melton promptly belted an 0-1 double that cleared the bases and gave Louisville a 4-2 lead.

Syracuse didn't give up though, going for a bunt that was snuffed out before smacking a one out double. Watson decided there would be no more of that, though, and struck out the final two Syracuse batters of the day to end the game. Louisville takes on the Orange in the second game of the series this afternoon at 1PM, which will be aired on ACC Network Extra. 

THEY SAID IT: 

POSTGAME HOLLY APRILE:  HOLLY APRILE TALKS SYRACUSE WIN 3-15-19

POSTGAME SIDNEY MELTON:  SIDNEY MELTON TALKS WIN OVER SYRACUSE 3-15-19

Michaela Sliney Qualifies for NCAA Championships

After finishing 8th in the 1M springboard competition in the Zone C qualifiers held at Purdue, Michaela Sliney is currently set to be the only Louisville representative at the NCAA Diving Championships held in Austin, Texas later this month. Platform diving competitions will take place today, where Molly Fears will attempt to punch her ticket, as will Brianna Price. 

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour returns to the airwaves (and internet waves?) today at 11AM. Jared is counting change, and I'm a late scratch due to illness (hey, this is like a real injury report), but you'll still be brought the joy and excitement in Louisville women's athletics by Paulie, Worldwide, Daryl, and Paige. Tune in to WCHQ FM at 100.9FM, the WCHQ App, wchqfm.com, or on Facebook Live. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-