Softball Cards beat UNC 6-1 -- MONDAY CARDINALCOUPLE

CARDS IMPROVE TO 33-17 WITH HOME FINALE WIN

Louisville Softball jumped on UNC early in the Sunday home finale with five first inning run to give pitcher Danielle Watson a nice comfort zone in the circle, and Watson responded with a five hit, one run shutdown of the TarHeels in Ulmer Stadium.

Watson retired the TarHeels with just one hit allowed in the top of the first and the Cards came out rarin' and ready to go in the bottom of the inning. Louisville "batted around" in their part of the inning. Beginning with a one-out double from Sidney Melton, UofL sent five straight batters to the plate. Sid, plus Megan Hensley, Taylor Roby, Kyra Snyder and Rebecca Chung all made their way around the bases on the Don Dobina Field to provide the early margin...getting four hits on ace UNC pitcher Brittany Pickett. 5-0 Cards !! 


From there, the contest evolved into a pitcher's duel from the circle. Louisville would add an additional run in the fourth, when Melton singled to left, stole second and advanced to third on a Hensley single to left. She scored on a Roby infield fielder's choice. 

The TarHeels came up with their run in the top of the seventh. Megan Dray doubled to left and scored on Zoe Goodman's single...but Watson recorded her fourth strike out of the day to end any threat and the game. Watson recorded her 11th. win of the season and allowed just two walks. 

Coincidentally, villainous umpire Bonnie Daye was at first base and not behind the plate on Sunday. 

When Watson has her control and confidence working like she did Sunday, backed by a Cardinal squad that made no fielding errors and some nice plays, she is one of the best in the the ACC from the circle. She faced four or less batters in all of the first six innings and only five in the final inning. She was also aided by a spectacular running catch by Hensley in right center. 

The Cards go to Raleigh, NC to conclude the regular season on Derby weekend.  Then, it's the ACC Tournament in Tallahassee, FL.  after that. Going into the final weekend of ACC action, Louisville is in third place in the Atlantic Division and in fifth place overall in the conference standings. 

(photos by Jared Anderson) 


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THEY SAID IT 

I caught up with Head Louisville softball coach Holly Aprile, plus players Megan Hensley and Danielle Watson for post-game comments. You can see/hear those at the links below:

LINK:  MEGAN HENSLEY AND DANIELLE WATSON POST GAME UNC 4/28/19

LINK: HOLLY APRILE POST GAME UNC 4/28/19


                                                                 


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TOOTING HIS OWN HORN

(photo by P.A. announcer Jason Puckett) 

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour regular and writer here on the site Jared Anderson is a man of many talents.

You see his photos here consistently on our website. He got the chance to demonstrate another one of his skills yesterday when he played the National Anthem before the game. He is classically trained on the euphonium and did a great job with it Sunday! 

Jared's no stranger to performing the National Anthem at UofL athletic events and performed admirably for the Cards' final home game this year at Ulmer. Playing the heck out of that "baby tuba", he was, he was...

We've got it for you below. Well done, sir!

LINK: JARED ANDERSON PERFORMS NATIONAL ANTHEM 4/28/19 AT ULMER STADIUM


Have a marvelous Monday! 

paulie
xxxxx