Softball falls in ACC tournament 10-8 to VaTech -- Remembering Denny Crum -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Hello again readers and welcome to another weekend. Now that Derby has come and gone, I think its safe to say the summertime blues are in swing.  It would be nice if staff got the same summer break as students but alas, we do not.  I plan on improving my golf game and working on our house a lot while the days are longer!  You know if there's a great show out there, I'm gonna find my way to it. LOL 

Softball

Photos: Jared Anderson 

The Softball Cards fell in the first round of the ACC tournament on Thursday afternoon, 10-8 to the Virginia Tech Hokies. 

Louisville came out aggressive to start this game, Korbe Otis reaching on a walk and stealing second base before getting out at third on a double play after Taylor Roby’s at bat. ACC Freshman of the Year Sarah Gordon singled to LF allowing Easton Lotus to score putting the Cards up 1-0. 

The Hokies decided they would wait until the 3rd inning to unleash the offense and they managed to put up 4 runs then and 2 in the 4th all thanks to homeruns and a couple fielding errors by the Cardinals.

Zabala (14-9) took the loss. She started in the circle for Louisville giving up 5 hits, 6 runs (4 homeruns) and struck out 6 in 3 innings of work. Roby picked up where Zabala left off walking the first batter she faced before the defense took care of the next 3 batters to stop the bleeding.

The Cards looked to chip away at the VT lead as Daisy Hess took a walk to start the bottom of the 4th before Hannah File connected to send one over the wall and cut the Hokie lead 6-3. Louisville had two runners in scoring position with 2 outs before Lotus struck out swinging halting the Cardinal rally.

VT was not going to stop pouring salt on the wounds, they knew they had potential future opponents watching and they wanted to spark some fear for those watching. The Hokies plated another run in the top of the 5th after another fielding error by UofL to make it 7-3. The Cards responded with a 3 up, 3 down in the bottom half of the inning including two of the outs coming in foul territory.

Things were looking grim for the Cards by the 6th inning where VT continued to put the bat on the ball, connecting for a double, a successful bunt and then another double this time to right center to score two more runs and push the lead to 9-3. Much to the sighs and groans of the Cardinal Couple group chat, this one seemed out of reach. 

But then! There was life! With 2 outs in the bottom half of the 6th, the Cardinals mustered some offense when Makayla Hurst homered over the left field wall also scoring Vanessa Miller after she singled in her at bat. Otis walked, Lotus and Roby singled, scoring Otis. Gordon singled to score Lotus, Hess singled to score Mia Forsythe who pinch ran for Roby to make it 9-8 VT lead and the Cardinals were threatening to tie it up. A passed ball gave the Cards the opportunity to do so when Gordon stole home.

The umpires at Cardinal Couple (Jared and Daryl) can confirm she was safe at home but the ump behind the plate called her out even though VT didn’t apply a tag on her until halfway up the leg while also blocking the plate for Sarah’s arrival. Holly Aprile asked for a review and it was upheld. It was incorrect, but they stuck to it. Inning over.

VaTech would tack on another insurance run in the top of the 7th but with the tying run at the plate, the Cardinals would come up empty in the last half of the frame.    

Louisville will await their fate in the post season when the matchups are revealed.  Are the Cards in? Give us your thoughts in the comments section.

This year's NCAA softball bracket field of 64 will be revealed at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 14 on ESPN2.

Remembering Denny Crum

(either on our way out of or heading into do a show at 790am)

I wanted to make sure I mentioned my own condolences to the Crum family for the loss they suffered this week as the rest of the country also mourns the loss of this legendary figure in our city's history.  Denny Crum holds a special place in almost every Louisville fan's heart and core memories.   My memories are a little different because I remember the Denny post coaching career... I know he played a huge part in my dad's fandom and I grew up appreciating Denny's impact.  

Then I got my internship in college when I started at UofL and had the opportunity to regularly cross paths with Coach Crum at the 790am radio station.  He would bring in his baked goods to share with everyone.  I got to try some banana bread and I have never been able to find any that compares to it.. (don't tell my grandma i said that).  He even came in early one day prior to his show with Joe B. Hall back then and indulged me in watching the 1980 championship DVD that I just so happen to have with me that day.   

Coach Crum only ever displayed kindness, gratitude, patience and embraced everything it is to be a Louisvillian in the 50+ years he lived here.   

We appreciate you Coach, and I will miss seeing you in the crowd at the games.  I think the University should think about reserving an honorary seat for Coach at the Yum! Center, overlooking Denny Crum court. 

Rest in peace 

The University is honoring Coach's life on Monday at the Yum! Center if you would like to celebrate.  Tickets are free but you do have to get tickets.  

Shoutout to the graduating class this weekend!

Enjoy the festivities, the day flies by!  Here is my cap from 2015! 

Also shoutout to my mother and all the good mommas out there on their weekend.  I feel like I will never be able to show mine as much as she truly deserves.  Make sure you enjoy them while you can <3  Hugs to everyone who is missing theirs.  

CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR PODCAST

(Jerry and Madeline will NOT be on the Saturday podcast, but Paulie 

digs this picture of them with him, so...there's that.)

We'll take to the podcast Saturday at 11 a.m. to discuss the week that was in Louisville women's sports. We'll talk "Denny" a bit, as well, and (hold your breath) we just might actually have all five of us on the podcast. There are only about a billion ways to listen to us, so...if you miss the weekly event, we are going to have to have a long discussion with you, possibly bring in some outside parties to sit in our meeting, and Paulie will probably bring donuts or tacos, depending on what time we meet. Legal counsel welcome! There is a link below. 

LINK

 

As Always, 

Go Cards! 

~Daryl