Softball downs Pitt for series sweep -- LAX falls at Marquette -- Hoops, hoops, hoops MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 LOUISVILLE SOFTBALL TAKES PANTHERS 9-6

In a back-and-forth affair that featured several lead changes, Louisville Softball prevailed and got the win 9-6 to sweep the three-game series.. For Louisville, it was a combination of "small ball" and "over the fence, into the street" . Taylor Roby got then start for the Cards but it was Alyssa Zabala who finished the game and got the win to go to 9.3 on the season

The Panthers struck first, piecing together a couple of doubles to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Louisville responded in the bottom of the second with the first of two Roby home runs and Eason Lotus crossed the plate later in the inning to put the Cards on top 2-1. 

Pitt had some fight in them, though and chased Roby from the mound with two hits and an error to put them up 3-2.  Cassie Grizzard came in to save the inning. 

It was Louisville's turn in the fourth. Roby, who stayed in the game as the designated player (I ask you, aren't they all players? Do you have to designate just one? Aren't they all special?) pounded a four-bagger to right-center that was followed by a Daidy Hess "Boomer" over the left field fence and it was 4-3 Cards.

Pitt answered with a two run "touch 'em all" in the top of the fifth off Grizzard to regain the lead .That set the stage for Zabala to enter the circle and stop the run production, but it was 5-4 Panthers going into the bottom of the fifth. 

Sarah Gordon got a two RBI single in the fifth, scoring Ally Alexander and Korbe Otis to send the Cards back in front 6-5.

Zabala kept the Panthers bats quiet in the sixth inning and Louisville went into the bottom of the sixth holding the one run lead. That would change, though, in the bottom of the sixth when the Cards loaded the bases, walked a run home and Hannah File drove in two more RBI's to give UofL a 9-5 advantage. 

And, although Pitt added a run in the top of the seventh for the final 9-6 score, Louisville gets the win and will return to action Tues at EKU. 

(Softball photos by Jared Anderson)

POST-GAME HOLLY

Our photographer caught up with Cards head coach Holly Aprile for these post-game remarks.  

Holly Aprile post-Pitt March 19th

LAX LOSES TO MARQUETTE 15-11

Despite four goals from Cardinal Couple favorite Allegra Catalano, Louisville Lacrosse loses to Marquette Sunday afternoon. The Cards drop to 4-5 on the season, while Marquette goes to 7-1. 

"It was a physical game" per the Cards skipper Scott Teeter. 'Marquette came to play and we did not respond enough. We didn't make the key plays when we needed to in the game." 

The Cards were just a goal behind at the end of three quarters at 11-10 but were outscored 4-1 in the final quarter. 

Louisville built a 6-3 lead in the first half, but Marquette trimmed it to 6-5 before the teams entered halftime with the Cards up 7-6. 

The Cards got a Catalano score to open the second half, but the Golden Enetted four unanswered scores to take a lead they'd never lose at 10-8.

Nicole Peronni had three goals for the Cards. 

It's doesn't get any easier for the Cards in their next one...they'll entertain #3 Syracuse Saturday at the L.L.S at noon. 

HOOPIN IT UP. 

Lots of Sunday action in the NCAA Tournament second Round occurred -- including the defeat of a #1 seed.

Sam Purcell's Miss St. squad gave it all they had against Notre Dame but fell 53-48. Maryland disposed of Arizona 77-64 and South Carolina toyed a bit with USF before sending Jose Fernandez's squad home with a 76-45 loss. Caitlan Clark and Iowa advances over Georgia 74-66. Kenny Brooks VT squad moves forward after holding off a pesky SD State club 72-60.

LSU handled the Wolverines pretty easily and Utah joins the Sweet Sixteen by out-smarting Princeton. Iowa got by Georgia....the BIG upset was Stanford losing to Ole Miss. A #1 disappears from the dance. 

So the Rebs wait for their next opponent -- either Louisville or Texas. The Cards beat Texas by eight earlier in the season, but both team have improved since then.  

 I could hypothesize, ponder, predict and speculate until game time (7p.m. ESPN) about the rematch, but, at this stage...it's just "go play 'em. remember what your coaches have told you and listen to what they'll tell you."  Go Cards, advance. 

CARDINAL COUPLE PICK 'EM

We'll have a full recap of the leaderboard after Round 2 is completed and we have a sweet sixteen, the recap will be mostly likely in Jared's Tuesday article. We do know this: 

--Only one person picked Ole Miss to beat Stanford

-- WE HAVE QUESTIONS on Blue Lou's bracket, but all I get is your answering machine, pal. Give 'ol Paulie a call and help enlighten me, if  you read this. Of course, if you're on one of those romantic, get-away extended weekend...it'll wait. 

Good luck all and let the games continue !!

paulie

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