Softball Concludes Season with Win -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Photo by NBC / Getty Images / Justin Casterline

Happy Monday!... or something like that. The Monday after Derby weekend should be recognized as a holiday due to the fact we could all use an extra recovery day. Over 107,000 in attendance for the Kentucky Oaks, over 156,000 in attendance for the Kentucky Derby, and a record number of bets placed worldwide means it was another successful Derby season here in 'The Ville'.

Paulie had some solid picks for those of you who partake in those types of events. Sadly, I ended up in the hole just a little bit- an Andrew Jackson and an Alexander Hamilton, but that's the risk you take. A head bob at the finish line may or may not go your way and this year did not go my way.

As you can tell, this is not Paulie. He and Sonya made a quick trip up to Cincinnati early this morning so he made a call to the bullpen for the day.

Softball Goes Out with a Bang, Wins Big

It may have come a day late and a dollar short, but Louisville softball earned a win yesterday. The Cards took down Boston College 11-4 in the series finale to conclude the regular season 27-25. They were one game away from qualifying for the ACC Tournament (they finished 11th in the conference), and as Jeff mentioned yesterday, the Cards are considered eligible to make the NCAA Tournament but realistically have little chance of getting in.

Louisville wasted no time in putting a run on the scoreboard. Daisy Hess and Bailee Richardson led the game off with back-to-back walks. Riley Frizell hit a single to the outfield, which scored Hess. Boston College evened the score later that inning with a solo home run.

In the third inning, Richardson's second walk came at an opportune time due to a Vanessa Miller home run later in the inning. The Cards did give up a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Louisville answered in the top half of the following inning to regain the lead 4-3 thanks to a solo shot by Gabby Holloway.

Singles by Hess and Richardson and a walk by Frizell loaded the bases in the sixth inning. Holloway's sac fly helped the Cards push the lead to 5-3 before the Eagles hit a home run that same inning to bring the score within one.

The seventh inning proved to be a good one as the Cards put up a six spot. Kiley Goff and Mia Forsythe opened the inning with back-to-back singles. A Jac Hasty fielder's choice ended up with Goff out at third but runners still on first and second. Hess came up and made the most out of her final collegiate plate appearance, hitting a three-run home run. Keep in mind that the Cards held a one-run lead entering the inning so this "touch 'em all" gave Louisville a four-run advantage. Richardson and Frizell walked after that and were driven in on a double by Miller, who then was able to advance to third. Holloway hit another sac fly to plate Miller.

Brooke Gray was able to complete the full game in the final inning with many thanks to a game-ending play at the plate. The win is Gray's fourth of the season.

It was a great final game for Louisville's eight seniors. Their stats are as follows:

-Daisy Hess (3-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

-Bailee Richardson (1-1, 1B, 4 BB)

-Riley Frizell (1-3, 1 RBI, BB)

-Vanessa Miller (2-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI)

-Gabby Holloway (1-2, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

-Paige Geraghty (2-5)

-Kiley Goff (1-2, BB, HBP)

-Mia Forsythe (1-4)

-Bailee Richardson's four walks in the game tied a program record.

-Mia Forsythe recorded her first hit of the season.

-Kiley Goff was hit by a pitch for the 21st time this season, ranking second in program history.

-Riley Frizell led the team with 13 home runs and 49 rbis.

-Daisy Hess led the team with 34 walks this season, ranking fifth in program history.

-Vanessa Miller led the team with 13 stolen bases this season while also posting career bests with 11 home runs and 39 rbis.

This season certainly didn't end up how we had hoped, but the Cards did get wins against ranked opponents in Arizona, Duke, Florida State, and Clemson. Errors and not being able to close out games were the two big killers. The Cards lost 14 games by two runs or less or in extra innings. Louisville finished the year with 59 defensive errors and a .960 fielding percentage.

Cardinal Couple has reached out about potentially interviewing some of the graduating seniors in the coming weeks. We hope to hear back with good news soon!

Tune back in tomorrow to see what insight Paulie will offer for us.

Happy Monday and Go Cards!

Jared