Friday, June 2, 2023
Volleyball's New Faces on Campus Ahead of Brazil Trip -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Thursday, June 1, 2023
UofL Puts Three on D1 Softball All-American Lists -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Gordon, Otis, and Roby Honored by D1 Softball
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
WNBA Cards -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Happy hump day readers!
Its Daryl stepping in with ya midweek. Bats are in town but Paulie phoned a friend for some back up to get something posted today so you get me to cover the summer Pro Cards.
WNBA
Sky vs Dream
The Chicago Sky visited the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday evening where the Dream led pretty much the entire way and got the 83-65 victory. The Sky are now 3-2 on the season while Atlanta moves to 2-2. Both squads are in the middle of the pack in the standings at 5 and 6 respectively. The Las Vegas Aces are the lone undefeated squad at 4-0... they're averaging an almost 25 point differential over opponents.
Dana Evans scored 11 points to lead Chicago. Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey and Kristine Anigwe each added 10. Sky starters Courtney Williams was 2 of 10 from the field and Elizabeth Williams went 3 for 10.
Rhyne Howard scored 20 points, Allisha Gray and rookie Haley Jones each added 13 points each. AD had a free throw make in 14 minutes.
The Dream made 18 of 24 free throws compared to just 9 of 11 makes for the Sky.
The Dream led 40-25 at halftime after Chicago shot just 28% and turned it over eight times. The Sky finished the game 25 for 77 (33%) with 15 turnovers.
Good luck to the Cards!!
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
End of Season Sadness -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Players and parents reaching out to me to offer their appreciation for my photos happens weekly and I'm happy to play my part. Many of these players and their families share these photos on their personal social media or even blow the pictures up and print them out at home to keep for the long haul. These are memories they get to keep forever.
I really do appreciate Cardinal Couple for keeping me around after all these years as their photographer and grateful to all of you for allowing me to showcase so much of that work here all the time. A post of my favorite shots is in the works for later in the summer, but will have to wait until we get past the wedding craziness.
Monday, May 29, 2023
Memorial Day -- College Softball World Series-- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
MEMORIAL DAY
....In remembrance....
I decided to see what people thought this holiday was for, in addition to cookouts and picnics...so I asked three people I happened to talk to on Sunday and see what their answers would be. Not many I know of these days can get the answer correct.
The first person I asked (male, middle aged) told me it was the yearly time for the Indianapolis 500 and a weekend to remember people who had died.
The second person I spoke with (female, 30's) was pretty sure it was a day to remember those who had served in the armed forces and had passed away and that it was the beginning of summer. .
The final person I queried on this (male, retirement age) indicated that it was a day to remember and honor those who had died.
Somewhere, in those answers is part of what Congress intended the holiday to represent. It was designed to be a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. Military.
The question posed to me was...if a sailor has a massive heart attack while leaving a U.S. Naval ship to go on shore leave...is he or (she) to be just as honored as the 19-year old guy who got shot down by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam war?
Tradition tells us that the correct way to observe the holiday is to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving the U.S.
I was indoctrinated into the meaning of the day very early in life. An uncle I never met, on my mom's side, was killed in WWII when his destroyer was attacked and sank by the Japanese Navy. My mom told me about it very early in my life. Then, later on, two guys in my neighborhood, older than me, were killed in combat in the Vietnam War.
So, as you read this today, on Memorial Day, maybe take a little time at 3 p.m. to honor those who died while serving our nation in the Armed Forces
EIGHT ADVANCE TO SOFTBALL'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
Eight DI softball programs have advanced to the 2023 College Softball World Series.
-- From the Pac 12, Stanford, Washington and Utah are headed to Oklahoma City,
-- The Big 12 has two schools headed to the College World Series (Oklahoma and Oklahoma State),
-- Two SEC schools are among the final eight also, in Alabama and Tennessee.
-- The final school is Florida State, from the ACC.
So, how many of these "great eight" did the Louisville Cardinals face in the 2023 season? The answer is two...Florida State, who faced the Cards in a three game series to end both squads ACC regular season conference play. The Cards dropped all three contests in Tallahassee to the 'Noles' 4-6, 4-6 and 1-2. And Oklahoma is the second, who downed the Cards 10-1 on April 15th at the Miami (OH)University ballpark.
The Cards have face Tennessee six times, in the history of Louisville Softball, and are 0-6. Five of the matchups were in Knoxville and one in Clearwater, FL. The Cards are 0-8 lifetime against Alabama...six of the matchups in Tuscaloosa and two in Minneapolis.
Against Oklahoma State, Louisville is 0-4 over the years, with three losses in Stillwater and once in Honolulu. The Cards are 0-1 vs, Stanford lifetime, and are 0-1 versus Utah. The Cards are 0-3 against Washington overall, all at neutral locations.
Will we ever see Louisville in the College World Series? The first step is getting to a Super Regional, where you have a 50/50 chance of advancing to the College World Series. Winning games after the conference schedule is finished.
Maybe 2024 will be that year...
paulie
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Track and Field Keep on Running - Sunday Cardinal Couple
Track and Field Championship Bound
The Mystics Pick Up Another Cardinal
Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Track in NCAA Prelims; Catalano Honored -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
At Least Two Cards Headed to Austin
Photo per UofL Athletics |
Allegra Catalano on Academic All-District Team
Photo per UofL Athletics |
Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast
Until next time, Go Cards!
Friday, May 26, 2023
Summer Things -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
FRIDAYS WITH DARYL
Hello again readers. I hope you are finding some fun things to do this summer and enjoy this Memorial weekend however you choose to spend it. I celebrated another birthday since the last time I checked in, the pictures in today's post make me think I might've lost another inch in height this past trip around the sun. If anyone finds it, please return asap..
I will probably find my way over to a golf course at some point this weekend and I am looking forward to slamming the laptop shut at the end of the work day today!
HI, HENNIE !
Your newest 6'3 Cardinal forward...Hennie Van Schaik and Daryl. We're 99% sure who would win the opening tip between these two.
Facts about Urk, Netherlands
- Population about 21,000
- About an hour away from Amsterdam
- The Urkish dialect is one of the oldest and most distinctive and includes elements that are older than standard Dutch and were never part of the standard language.
- Until World War II, Urk was an island and could only be reached by boat.
- Hennie comes to Louisville from Cal-State Bakersfield, where she played as a freshman and sophomore. She was CSUB's best scoring threat and started 20 of the 22 games she played in last year.
Cards in the Pros
The Washington Mystics (1-2) go to Wintrust Arena on Friday where they'll meet the Chicago Sky (2-0) on Friday 5/26. Tip off is set for 8 p.m. Two Cards WBB greats are on the rosters.
Dana Evans (Chicago) is averaging 7.5 points 2 rebounds and 3.5 assists to start the 2023 season where she played almost 35 minutes against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday. Unfortunately, Myisha Hines-Allen (Washington) is still sidelined with a knee injury and will not play vs Chicago.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Spring Semester Academic Success -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Louisville Softball: Roby graduating but Gray on the horizon
BROOKE GRAY JOINING CARDS NEXT YEAR FROM BALLARD
Usually, there is concern when a softball program loses their best player. In Louisville's case that would be Taylor Roby graduating. The two-way threat battled all season long to lead DI NCAA Softball in home runs and was also the Cards ace pitcher. Cards softball fans shouldn't get too worried about "in the circle" strength and skills, though. Hurlers Alyssa Zabala, Gabby Holloway, Sam Booe return and one of the best pitchers in high school softball is joining the Cards -- in Brooke Gray.
Let's learn a little more about Brooke.
Gray plays for Louisville Ballard, the state's powerhouse program, and she's the powerhouse pitcher on a squad that has gone 69-1 over the last two years. Trying to determine just how many games Brooke has won over these last two years is akin to climbing Mt. Everest...the sports trackers like Max Preps and others are not easy to read and don't show easily, we think she's 24-0 this season, but could be off a win or two...and 31-0 so far this year.
Gray's a lefty and stands 5'5". She's not an overpowering fast ball pitcher, but does have speed in the mid 60's and throws with pin-point accuracy. She keeps batters confused on what to expect her to toss from the circle. Hits are rarities against Gray and it's not uncommon to see her strike out 10 or more any time she goes to "the flat mound" and throws a complete game.
Gray's squad faced Eastern in the 7th region finals Tuesday night and Ballard got a 5-0 win over the Eagles. Gray was in the circle and pitched a four-hit shutout for the Bruins, with 12 strikeouts in the 25 batters she faced. The game was played at UofL's Ulmer Stadium...fitting... since that's where Gray will be throwing her collegiate pitches.
The win was Ballard's third win of the season over Eastern and improved their record to 32-1.
Ballard is the defending state champs and defeated Lexington Catholic 3-2 last year for the title. Gray went 31-0 last year. All but one starter returned to that squad, so the Bruins figured to be pretty good again
So, it's onto the state championships. We'll stay on top of this future Cardinals successes and work on maybe getting an interview with her down the road. Best of luck to her and the Bruins.
paulie
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Softball Closes Out Strong Season, What to Expect Next Year -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
Monday, May 22, 2023
Softball Cards fall to IU 4-2 to end season -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
LATE INDIANA RALLY DEFEATS CARDS
Louisville Softball led for most of this regional elimination game in Knoxville Sunday, and got a masterful performance from Taylor Roby in the circle. Unfortunately, a couple of late-inning errors and some timely IU hitting allowed them to erase a 2-0 Cardinals lead with four runs in the final two innings.
The Cards did their damage at the plate in the bottom of the second inning. Daisy Hess started the at-bats by drilling a pitch into right field for a single and a Vanessa Miller walk gave the Cards "two on, no out". A throwing error by the Hoosiers catcher allowed Hess to score and Miller to go the second. With two outs, Korbe Otis doubled to center and Miller scored easily. 2-0 Cards and the inning ended with Easton Lotus grounding out to short.
With Roby in the circle, the lead held. It was still 2-0 after five and, neither team was showing much in terms of getting runners on base and scoring them. Louisville simply couldn't hit IU relief pitcher Heather Johnson, who took to the circle to begin the third inning and IU had mustered just two hits off Roby in five frames.
Then, things changed.
IU greeted Roby with two singles to start the sixth inning. Next, a couple of ground ball fielders choice plays advanced a Hoosier runner to the plate. The damage ended there, but IU had cut the Cards lead in half. 2-1 and Louisville needed to reawaken their bats.
It was three up, three down for Louisville in the bottom of the sixth, though, but all the Cards had to do was hold IU scoreless in the top of the seventh to advance and play Tennessee.
IU had different plans, though. They got a break to start the seventh when Hannah File mis-judged a popup to first and failed to catch it for an out. The next IU batter worked Roby for six pitches before singling to left. Holly Aprile had seen enough and the decision was made to remove Roby and put Gabby Holloway in the circle.
The strategy failed. An IU bunt moved the runners to second and third. Another IU bunt resulted in a wild throw to first by the Cards, and the ball skipped into right field. Both IU players on base reached the plate and the bunter advanced to third base.
It was suddenly 3-2 IU.
Holloway got the next batter to fly out to center, but the runner that had been on third tagged and scored to increase IU's lead to 4-2. Holloway struck out the next batter to end the inning but the damage had been done. IU used six batters, two hits and two Cards errors to grab a two-run lead and Louisville was down to their final bat, needing two runs to tie it.
Daisy Hess led off and hit a screamer down the first base line to start the bottom of the seventh, but it was right at the first baseman, who caught it for the first out. The next two Cards were victims of strike outs, one swinging and one looking.
It was over and IU was advancing to play Tennessee in the reginal finals. 4-2.
A tough way to end the season. Would have leaving Roby in the circle made a difference? We'll never know, of course, but...regardless...that didn't happen and IU capitalized on the runners that had reached base on Roby.
The Cards battled proudly but ended up on the short end of the score. Only four total hits for UofL, and none in the final five innings of the game, was costly.
POST GAME HOLLY APRILE:
"It was a hard-fought game. I'm really proud of our team. We showed a lot of heart and fight throughout the season and we got so much better from the beginning to the end. There's only one team that wins a national championship, so there are a lot of teams that lose along the way. I thought we battled today and I thought Taylor Roby was brilliant on the mound. was proud of her and all our seniors. It was a tough loss but I'm proud of our team."
Louisville ends the season 36-20, the most wins since 2014. As I finish this article...I see that Tennessee defeated Indiana 7-3. Not saying that Louisville would have gotten any closer in a match with the Lady Vols, but I wish they'd had the chance...
Oh, well They'll get 'em next year.
A lot of talented underclass(wo)men on this Cardinal squad and I'm confident Holly and the staff will bring some more portal dwellers and some talented freshmen.
paulie
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Rain, Rain, Go Away - Sunday Cardinal Couple
Rain Delays Make a Long Day
The second day of the NCAA softball tournament saw 31 teams eliminated rather than the expected 32. The Knoxville Regional, where Louisville is playing suffered from several hours of rain delays yesterday pushing what should have been the late game, which would be an elimination game, to today.
With the bases cleared, Ally Alexander drew a four pitch walk, then Paige Geraghty singled up the center and both Alexander and Geraghty were able to advance on throws. That was enough to chase the NKU pitcher (Alicia Flores), and the new pitcher (Madi Eads)... with two speedster runners in scoring position had herself quite a challenge. Korbe Otis singled to short, scoring Alexander, and advancing Geraghty. Otis then, predictably, stole second, and finally, Easton Lotus pulled off an excellent squeeze bunt, scoring Geraghty. Six runs in the 4th inning and NKU was still scoreless.
Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast
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.---Paulie and Jared review the show's (lack of) format--- |
The CCRHP was a lot of fun yesterday, mostly talking about softball, but we did take a few moments to catch up on Cards in the WNBA (Don't forget Liz Dixon!), as well as touch a bit on Anna (Stevenson) Hall, and Tori Dilfer-Stringer being selected for the overall roster for the Volleyball Nations League for the USWNT.