Noles SB Downs Cards 2-1 to sweep series -- Cards get #4 ranking in ACC Tournament -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

SANDERCOCK SHUTS DOWN CARDS OFFENSE SUNDAY

The normally active Louisville bats were silenced on Sunday (sorry about the quasi-Derby reference) in the third game of the series at Tallahassee. .And, Cardinals batters would probably be just fine if they didn't see Kathryn Sandercock in the circle anymore this season, as the grad student allowed just one hit in 4.1 innings to go to 21-3 on the season. Sandercock was credited with all three wins over Louisville this weekend... her own "triple crown" on Derby weekend.  

The Cards just might have to face "Kat" one more time, though, being the #4 seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament, but we'll get into those ramifications a little later  on in today's column

Louisville got what would normally be considered a good "in the circle" performance from Alyssa Zabala, who allowed the two runs on just four hits in the six innings she pitched. The Cards just couldn't put bat on ball and send it where there were no fielders until the top of the seventh inning. 

Daisy Hess led off the visitors half pf the inning with a triple to right field. Hannah File sent a sacrifice fly to center to score Hess and cut the FSU lead to 2-1, but could not do anymore damage at the plate after that. It was the only hit Sandercock allowed in her time in the circle.

The Cards had their chances early. An Easton Lotus single and Sarah Gordon walk in the first inning gave the Cards two base runners but the Cards were to remain on the bags the rest of the inning. And, in the third, Korbe Otis single and then got to third on a FSU fielding error...but did not get advanced to home. 

As for the Noles, Zabala did allow FSU a home run from Josie Muffley in the third inning and another run in the fifth when Mack Leonard singled and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly. 

The Cards end the regular season with a 35-17 record and 16-7 in ACC play. 

LOUISVILLE SOFTBALL BEGINS ACC TOURNAMENT PLAY ON THURSDAY AS A #4 SEED vs. VA TECH. 

Louisville is one of ten teams that will participate in the ACC Tournament at Notre Dame and will open play Thursday against #5 seed Virginia Tech. 

The Cards and Hokies will play in the second game of four on Thursday....starting around 1:30 PM. If the Cards win they would advance to the semifinals to face either FSU or #8 seed Virginia or #9 seed Syracuse.  The format is single elimination and all the games, beginning Weds, when #7 seed and #10 seeds and #8 and #9 seeds square off, will be shown on the ACC Network. 

paulie 

Softball Loses Epic Battle - Sunday Cardinal Couple

Softball Loses Longest Game in ACC This Season

It was an epic battle in Tallahassee, with Florida State eventually getting the walk-off two run home-run in the bottom of the 11th inning.  The 6-4 win was the longest game in the ACC this season.

The Cards took control of the game early, but the Seminoles would slowly claw it back to even.  The team would then grind out four scoreless innings before FSU second baseman Devyn Flaherty would connect off of Taylor Roby to lift the ball out over the center field fence.

Korbe Otis got the offense started with a single, and as is typical for this team, stole second.  Easton Lotus followed up with a single over her own, putting runners on the corners.  Lotus' attempt to steal second didn't go quite so well, with the throw getting to second well before her, enough that she stopped, and got caught in a pickle.  While FSU was working on that pickle, however, Otis stole home from third.  Lotus was eventually tagged out.

A pair crossed the plate in the second, with Hannah File, and Ally Alexander both getting on safely.  They both moved up a base, putting both in scoring position, thanks to a wild pitch.  A pinch hit single by Maddi Grant, hitting for Paige Geraghty, scored both File and Alexander to get the Cards a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The Cards would get their last run in the 3rd inning.  And, well, Taylor Roby was due, and she ripped a solo shot out to center field to wrap up the scoring for UofL with a 4-0 lead.

Unfortunately, it would turn out that there were eight more innings to play.  FSU would get one of those runs back in the bottom of the 3rd, and would get the game back to a tie with a three run sixth inning.  Both teams would fight back and forth for the next four innings, getting well into bonus softball, without getting anything across, when Flaherty decided enough was enough.

The two teams will finish the series, and the regular season with a noon game today.  Will it prove to be another 4-6 FSU victory?  Or will UofL continue to strengthen the push against the number 3 team in the country and break through with a victory today?

No Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

The CCRHP crew all enjoyed their various Derby Day celebrations.  As Derby Day preparations can start early, that does mean that this is one of weeks that we routinely skip the CCRHP.  It's just a bit much to do that and then have everyone make it to their various Derby Day parties and events.

We'll be back next week with coverage of the ACC Softball Tournament, and more.

-- JMcA

Oaks Day -- SOFTBALL at #3 FSU -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Hello readers and Happy Derby Weekend!! It is Oaks Day in the Ville and you know we prefer to cover the females on this website. 14 fillies will face off in the 147th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Post time is schedule for 5:51p.m.  

If you're heading out to the track, enjoy and don't forget the sunscreen!!   I will be working and then plan on playing 18 holes before the fillies race for the lillies!  Let's hope for a safe day for the horses too. 

The field

Wet Paint is the 5-2 favorite in the 2023 Kentucky Oaks odds and has won four of her last five starts. Botanical, who has won four in a row, is second in the Kentucky Oaks odds 2023 at 4-1. Southlawn (8-1), Affirmative Lady (10-1) and Pretty Mischievous (10-1) round out the top 2023 Kentucky Oaks horses according to oddsmakers.

Cheers to smart and successful bets!! 🏇🏇🏇 🍸🎫💸🤑💰

(Don't forget, you can get Paulie's Picks for the entire OAKS Card at his horse racing website...Paulie's Picks ! Conveniently found at his website:

Paulie's Picks

Softball

Photo: Jared Anderson

Just about every sports related program on campus and in the city hits the road on this celebratory weekend. I assume the reason being to avoid having visiting teams delaying travel for those coming into town for the Derby… and probably to keep the squads out of the possibility of trouble as well. Plus, Floyd St. intersects with Central Ave. and Central Ave is a mess Friday and Saturday. With closed streets, one way temporary set up and 100,000-150,000 people jammed into the area, it is a bit crowded. 

Whatever the reason being, the Cards are wrapping up the regular season on the road at #3 Florida State. As Jared covered in Thursday’s post, the Cardinals are playing some of their best softball in recent years right now. They are on a 9 game winning streak, sweeping the series between both of their last conference opponents against Virginia and Boston College. UofL (35-14) enter the final weekend of the season with a 16-4 ACC mark. Louisville's 16 ACC wins are tied for the most in program history since joining the league in 2015. That same season, the Cardinals finished the season with a 16-7 conference record. It would be great if the Cards could get at least 1 victory over FSU this weekend.

Photo: Jared Anderson

Louisville leads the ACC and is ranked 11th nationally with a .327 as a team with five starters hitting above .300. Korbe Otis leads the team with a .408 batting average, 64 hits and 59 runs. She is a perfect 19-for-19 in stolen bases. She leads the ACC and tied for third in the nation with seven triples. She also paces the ACC in runs scored and is tied for third on Louisville's single season list with 59.

Alyssa Zabala leads the team with 14 wins and 81 strikeouts in 103.2 innings while Roby carries a team-best 2.26 ERA with 55 Ks in 102.1 innings of work.

Photo: Jared Anderson

Florida State leads the series 16-7-1

The last time the two met was April 23-25, 2021 at Louisville and Florida State won the first two games of the series 10-0 and 9-0. In the series finale, the teams were tied 1-1 in the 11th inning when the game was called due to 'travel constraints'. 

Louisville is making its first trip to Tallahassee since 2018.

FSU has not lost to UofL in Tallahassee since 2016.

Florida State enters the weekend with a 44-8 overall record and a nine-game win streak following a midweek 8-7 win at No. 17 Florida. The Seminoles lead the ACC standings with a 19-2 record in conference play.

(To sum the series up in Elvisian logic...it's now or never for the Cards to decide their regular season fate.)

As a team, the Seminoles are batting .313 with six players hitting above .300. Jahni Kerr leads the squad with a .383 batting average while Katie Dack and Michaela Edenfield have belted out 10 home runs apiece.

The Seminoles' are lead by Makenna Reid in the circle, who was named to the TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 List and Kathryn Sandercock, who was a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist.

The teams will play on Friday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra with Saturday’s (2 p.m.) and Sunday’s (Noon) games being aired on the ACC Network.

                                        *********************

Its also Cinco de mayo today, for those who celebrate.  Happy weekend everyone! Be safe out there y'all! 

As Always, Go Cards! 

~Daryl 

CARDINALS IN OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS -- TIME FOR A CHANGE -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

LOUISVILLE SWIMMERS STRIVE FOR THE OLYMPICS

Louisville swimmers are making a splash out in Nebraska at the USA Olympic Trials. 

Action begins today at 11 a.m. in four events:  the 200M IM, 50M Freestyle, 200 M Breaststroke and 1500M Freestyle .They are doing the qualifying in "waves" (appropriate for swimming I'd say) where the top two finishers in Wave I events qualify for Wave II events. Those second events are the ones that get yo in the Olympics. Wave I is June 4-7 and Wave II June 13-20. 

The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled for Friday July 23rd to Sunday August 8th. There is growing concern, however, in Japan about hosting the event emanating from the people of Japan. With a fourth wave of COVID 19 sweeping the island, up to 80% of the Japanese residents are in favor of cancelling or postponing the events. 

It ultimately, though, is not up to the Japanese political leaders. The decision comes from the IOF, the International Olympic Federation. That's how the IOC makes money. And, the Japanese would take a hige financial bath if the events wouldn't transpire -- with all the investments that have been made for the Summer Olympics. 

Japan also lags behind the USA and many other nations in getting their residents vaccinated. The athletes, obviously, will mostly be vaccinated...but attendance (which is what the advertisers and marketers want to see). could suffer because of the slow "shots" rate.  And volunteers, so important to an event like this, are walking away from their original offer to help and assist. 

What makes the Olympics, though?

It is the athletes. If they don't show, because of pandemic concerns, national policies or just the ever-increasing trend of the Japanese not wanting them and travelers to the nation...it's the old issue of, "How do you have a competition if you have no competitors?" 

Nevertheless, the trails go on. Cardinals we can keep an eye on today include: 

-- Diana Dunn (200IM IM) 

-- Aidan Kreiley (200M Breaststroke)

If you'd like to watch, go to:  https://www.usaswimming.org/utility/landing-pages/streaming

You can find results here:   https://www.omegatiming.com/2021/us-olympic-team-trials-wave-i-live-results

Best of luck to all competitors, especially our Cardinals ! 

AN EVEN PLATFORM

I've had a lot of fun following this year's WCWS NCAA Softball Tournament, but it's time to toss a changeup in here and make some changes. Changes in how long the event goes on in Oklahoma City. And, it's not about shortening the event.  

The NCAA needs to lengthen the event. Trying to cram the event in half the time-frame afforded the men's College World Series is stupid, archaic and  must change. Let's look at the beleaguered Florida State Seminoles. The Noles played until 2:20 A.M. Sunday morning, finally defeating Oklahoma State 4-2. Yes, rain delays played havoc with the schedule, but some Noles players did not get to bed until after 4 a.m. Sunday morning after necessary treatment (like ice baths and such),  then had to get up for 9:30 a.m. COVID testing and then head to the ballpark to play Alabama, in a elimination game for the Tallahassee school,  sitting through yet another weather delay.

Sleep-deprived much?

Incredibly, the Noles knocked off Alabama 2-0 to force a second elimination game. It was scheduled to be possibly be played last night, along with elimination match for tournament darlings James Madison against Oklahoma. Fortunately those games were moved to today because of continuing rain in the area and the start time is 4 p.m. for Dukes vs. Sooners and Noles vs. Tide around 7 p.m.

Today's action will give us a FINAL FOUR slate of schools, but the strain and stress on the participants is something that could have been avoided with a little prudent planning.  Yes, many teams did play four games over a three day weekend during the regular season, but someone like James Madison has had to play four games in five days after going through a grueling regional playoff schedule just to reach the WCWS in Oklahoma City.  

I know this doesn't relate to Louisville Softball, but, let's say the Cards qualify for the WCWS next year. I would bet that Holly Aprile wouldn't want to subject her student-athletes to this ridiculous cramming of contests to accommodate broadcasting or the NCAA's wishes. the thrill of getting there has to be incredibly huge, but the stay is akin to one of those non-stop dancing marathons from the 50's or 60's (or a Friday afternoon trying to negotiate I-65 South out of Louisville or any other major city). 

It is too much, too fast for these student-athletes. Trying to crowd this schedule of games, eliminations, advancement a and a Final Four in half the allotted time afford the NCAA DI Baseball Tournament is something the coaches, administration and event planners need to storm the NCAA offices over and demand equal time frames and spacing. How can you be at your best when your whole routine, schedule, sleep patterns and nourishment are tossed aside like a sandwich wrapper? 

Of course, being the NCAA, it'll probably take them several years to come to any type of decision, and then a couple more years to enact it. Yes, surely the fans suffer here but, that's small beer compared to what the teams have to go through. 

Even it up and equal it up NCAA. these women deserve much better than what your giving them. 

HAve a meaningful Monday,

paulie

Softball vs. FSU -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CARDS DROP ONE, BATTLE FSU TO A TIE AT ULMER

Yesterday brought a rarity in the second game of Softball played between Louisville and visiting Florida State. The squads went 11 innings (four over the normal softball affair) and the score was still 0-0. FSU had set a "we got get out of here by..." time frame for departure from Louisville and when that was reached, the contest was ended and will go into the books as a tie. 

It was the second game of the afternoon between the two.

 I won't go into a lot of detail ont the first game, because the Cards got shellacked by FSU 9-0 and it was a five-inning, run-rule affair. The Noles blasted Louisville for four runs in the second and five more runs in the fourth inning, teeing off on Cardinal pitchers Jen Leonhardt, Gabby Holloway and Payton Hudson for 11 hits. 

I would imagine the Noles were a bit surly in that first game, having lost to Louisville in the second of two on Friday 5-1....and then having to sit around and stew and seethe all day Saturday. 

Game two is the story today, so let's get into it. Plenty of time to get this one in, right?  (with the shortened five-inning previous game).

Wrong answer, Chumley. 

The much-anticipated pitching duel between Cardinals ace starter Taylor Roby and FSU's Kathryn Sandercock was all it was hyped to be on our Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast Saturday. Through five innings, both were showing their mastery of the opponent's bats and the only real hint of any run production came in the fourth inning when Roby doubled with one-out, took third on a ground ball but wasn't able to touch home plate. 

After five innings, FSU Lonny Almeda made the decision to pull Sandercock from the circle and go with Caylan Arnold. The call was a understandable one, Sandercock had tossed three innings of shutout softball in game one and had 85 pitches under her belt for the day. And Arnold is another in the stash of excellent circle-dwellers on the FSU roster.  

Cardinal skipper Holly Aprile was not ready to rest Roby yet, though and the Mt. Washington, KY redshirt junior went seven innings, striking out five, and allowing six hits. Her teammates were backing her up with solid defense and Aprile, seeing that Roby's pitch coint was already up to 127, turned the ball over to Gabby Holloway after seven frames. 

The 11th and final inning provided the fireworks of the day. FSU began the inning with a single, the runner stole second and went to third on a Cardinal fielding error. No outs. Holloway got a out, finally and then Dani Morgan drilled a shot to shallow centerfield that looked like it might produce a run. 

Not gonna happen, though, as Cards centerfielder Celene Funke made a diving catch of the ball, scrambled to her feet and fired a perfect bullet to Cards catcher Cass Greenwood, who then tagged out the runner on third trying to get home. The *bang-bang* double play got the Cards out of the inning. 

Louisville added to the excitement in the bottom of the 11th. The Cards got a "Big Sis" Carmyn Greenwood single, Roby got intentionally walked by former UofL hurler Danielle Watson, who was in to relieve in the circle, and the Cards had two on with two outs. Watson, though, managed to get the next Cardinal out and preserve the shutout. 

This was one that seemingly could have gone on until this morning, but, FSU had a plane to catch and it ended as a tie. 

It was the first game to end in a tie in the history of Louisville Softball, which began in the year 2000. 

Before the game, Cardinal Softball senior student-athletes Paige and Riley Schindler, Maddy Newman, Jen Leonhardt, Celen Funke and 2020 grad Caitlin Ferguson were honored for their efforts and dedication to the school and program. 

The Cards roll back into action Derby Day (May 1st) but they'll be far away from the madness on Central Avenue, playing the Boston College Eagles in a double header in Beantown 

(PHOTOS FROM JARED ANDERSON) 

"Gotta run to the Airport, you say? 
Hey! Follow me!!" 

"Or me !!" 

Have a marvelous Monday!

paulie

One For The Ages...Louisville Softball downs FSU 10-9 -- Lacrosse Today -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL RALLIES TO KNOCK OFF SEMINOLES 10-9

Holly Aprile, head Louisville softball coach, indicated it might have been one of the most fun ones she had ever taken part it. 

The up-and-down, topsy-turvy seven inning affair at Louisville's Ulmer Stadium was a roller coaster ride last night but Louisville struck last, and best, in a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat, instant classic 10-9 win over #3 FSU Monday night.

Freshman Rebecca Chung delivered a three-RBI, walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh to put the final touches on a game that had four lead changes, 19 runs and 18 hits. 

If you were there, or watching on ESPNU -- this one was one you'll remember for a very long time. 

Like some amusement park rides, it started a little bumpy and herky-jerky for the Cards. FSU came out with three first inning runs on two hits, a walk and a unfortunate throwing error to take the early lead. 

During a run-down of a trapped runner, a toss for a tag-out went awry, and several Seminoles scampered home because of it.

Louisville was still behind 3-0 in the bottom of the third with the bottom of the order coming to the plate, but, they responded in a big way. Chung reached with no outs. Singles from Maddy Newman and Charley Butler filled the bags with Cards. Then "Food Mart" (Sidney Melton) emptied the bags with a triple and the game was evened up with a 3-3 score. 

Cards starting pitcher Danielle Watson was starting to find her groove in the circle after the shaky first inning and keeping FSU scoreless. At the plate, Louisville was staying hot and a deep triple from Maddy Newman to left-center completely fooled the "in-shallow" FSU outfielders in the fourth inning and plated two more Louisville runners to push the Cards ahead 5-3. 

UofL kept the hitting party going in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, shortstop Caitlin Ferguson went opposite field and sent a towering blast down the right-field line that stayed fair (hitting the small fence on the right field pole) and Louisville had increased the lead to 7-3 with the two-run boomer from Fergie. Louisville had chased FSU ace hurler Meghan King (19-2) from the circle and the stands were a buzz with the proficiency of the UofL bats. 

Our photographer Jared Anderson was in right field berm talking to former Cardinal standout Nicole Pufahl and said the ball would have landed right next to him if the extension fence on the pole hadn't stopped it. 

Watson had cruised along in control for five innings for Louisville after the shaky start, but that was about to change for the sophomore pitcher from Osceola, IN in the top of the seventh. The Noles had decided they were not ready to load up the bus just yet and travel back to Tallahassee. 

They produced six runs -- the big blow being a bases loaded blast that easily cleared the center-field fence from Sydney Sherrill -- and the Cardinal Faithful in the seats (over 500 by most estimates and including athletic director Vince Tyra) went from elation to anxiety. 

Taylor Roby was called upon to take the circle and relieve Watson and she stopped the damage, getting the final two outs of the Noles half of the inning.


Louisville had one last at-bat to try for the tie to send it to extra innings or to win it. FSU brought King back to the circle to see if she could keep the Cardinal bats silent. The crowd noise had subsided temporarily except for the few FSU fans in attendance and that infernal war chant Noles fans are prone to do. 

The Cards were not ready to concede. They were getting back off the mat and squaring their fists for one last haymaker attempt. 

And, they connected. 

Food Mart started things off and delivered a single. FSU's King was having trouble finding the zone and walked Megan Hensley and Ferguson but the Cards had narrowly escaped a double play (after an umpires conference). It came down to this: There were two outs when Chung strode to the plate with the bases full. 

On the first pitch delivered by King, Chung sent a laser to right center that got past the outfielders and rolled to the fence.

Melton, Hensley and Ferguson were running as if their lives depended on it and all three crossed the plate to give the Cards the walk-off 10-9 win. 

The team exploded onto the field. Laptop chargers were exploding in the press box and the crowd erupted in a wild celebration. Cards win! The Cardinals win a 10-9 slug-fest !! From adversity to accomplishment, the Cards conquer FSU. 

The Cards find a new hero, get production from the old guard and discover that they can produce a  "it isn't over until we say it's over" shining moment. 

A signature win in Holly Aprile's young career as the Cardinals skipper and a night where Louisville softball showed the Noles and the rest of the viewing nation that perseverance and hope can provide good results and wins. UofL Softball could have easily hung their collective heads after the furious FSU rally, but, they chose to continue the fight and believe that they could strike the last blow.

And, they did just that. 

UofL (25-14, 6-6) takes the series 2-1 against FSU (37-5, 9-3) and gets a few days to prepare for next weekend's trip to BeanTown to face Boston College for three. 

(Photos from Jared Anderson) 


THEY SAID IT: 

Post game audio links below

Holly Aprile LINK: HOLLY DISCUSSES 10-9 WIN AND SERIES

Rebecca Chung LINK: POST GAME REBECCA CHUNG



LACROSSE FACES OHIO STATE

In one of those mid-week, non ACC matchups that have dotted the LOULAX schedule this season, Scott Teeter's Cards bring in Ohio State for a 1 p.m. matchup today at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium.

Louisville looks to end a four game losing streak when they take the turf against the Buckeyes. 

The skies are bright this morning and it should be ideal playing conditions. A great spring day to watch fast-paced, exciting Lacrosse action

Why not tell the boss that "you've got this thing", escape the workplace and come out for the thrill that is Louisville Lacrosse on Floyd Street!


paulie
xxxxx

Softball rubber match tonight -- Baylor the WBB NCAA Champs -- MONDAY CARDINALCOUPLE

CARDS & NOLES FACE OFF AT 7 p.m.

Probably would be pretty good at lawn bowling, too

Louisville Softball faces #3 FSU tonight at 7 p.m. in Ulmer Stadium for the deciding third game in the 2019 series between the two squads. These type of showdown games are sometimes referred to as "rubber" matches. 

So, the question is, how did the term "rubber match" get started? 

Most sports historians and people who research stuff like that trace it back to the quaint, old sport of English lawn bowling.

This bowling is unlike the more popular form of regular bowling -- it takes place on a big lawn instead of an indoor bowling alley -- and the participants throw or "bowl" small wooden balls across the field to see who can get closest to a smaller white ball at the opposite end of the field. Maybe like bocci ball or curling, in a sense.

A "rubber" is bad -- that means the ball you've just thrown has "rubbed up" against another previously thrown ball and usually results in knocking the opponents ball closer to the small white ball and stopping the progress of your ball. 

This sport's matches are usually played in games of three. What any of this has to do with a deciding third game in a series is still pretty nebulous to me -- maybe the term "there were a few rubbers in that third match that cost me" -- helps some, but...I still wonder why we drive on parkways and park on driveways.

Nevertheless, rubber or not, the Cards and Noles hope do to battle despite a Monday weather forecast that looks less than promising. A 60% percent chance in the morning hours, transitioning into cloudy skies tonight. As I look out my front bay window this morning (there's another term that gets me -- I have no bay in front of my house, just taxus bushes) it's overcast but not raining. Maybe I overthink these things...

The Noles sit atop the Atlantic division of the ACC with a 37-4 record and 9-2 in ACC play. The Cards in 4th in the Atlantic at 24-13 and 5-6. 

It'll be interesting to see who gets "the call" to enter the pitching circle for UofL tonight. Danielle Watson tossed a two-hitter at FSU Friday in the 2-0 first game win. She's 8-10 on the season and has an ERA of 2.86. Taylor Roby finished the 4-1 loss in the second game and is 7-1 on the year with a sizzling 1.74 ERA. Senior Megan Hensley tops the Cards with a 9-3 record, her ERA is 2.56. Watson leads Louisville with 100 innings pitched and she also has the most strikeouts of opponents with 106.

ESPN U has the broadcast for this one. Melissa Lee with the play-by-play and former Cardinal associate softball coach Carol Bruggeman with analytic observations and prognostications. 

Let's hope the skies stay dry. Let's hope Cards can get the pitching like they had in the first two and that the bats wake up and do great things for Louisville tonight. 

Play ball!  



BAYLOR BEARS WIN ANOTHER NCAA THRILLER OVER NOTRE DAME 82-81 FOR TITLE

If you're a fan of basketball, this one was fun to watch. The Bears taking control early, getting the lead up to 17 in the second half and then disaster struck when All-American Lauren Cox went down with what looked to be a very bad knee injury with 1:22 left in the third quarter. 

LINK: WARNING THIS LINK SHOWS INJURY AND IS PRETTY HARD TO WATCH

Notre Dame had started to cut into the lead, and without team leader Cox on the court..things went rotten pretty quickly. The Irish, led by Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey were giving it one last push...and it was paying off. Coming back to take the lead with less than three to go. Baskets traded. Baylor hanging on for dear life but getting big plays from a graduate transfer (Jackson), a freshman (Smith) and a force (Brown). 

Then, the scenario that Ogunbowale seems to thrive in on occasion. Keeping your team from losing. The Irish down by two, 1.9 seconds on the clock and you are at the free throw line after getting fouled with a chance to end it to overtime. 

Piece of cake, right, for the senior who already had 30 points. Who is an 81% free throw shooter on the season.  Your team is 17-20 from the charity stripe for the game. You're five for six in the contest. Overtime ahead...no doubt about.

Nah.

She rimmed the first free throw out. She needed a miss on the second one to give ND a chance to rebound and get up a game tying or winning shot.

She makes it.

Baylor ball and they have fouls to give before free throws.

LINK: Not today, Arike.


I have no doubt that she was trying to miss...but this "fate" stuff can be tricky. The miracle kid just struck out. Arike will go on and make good money in the WNBA, in Europe but that memory is bound to haunt her for a very long time. 

The ball bounces funny ways, sometimes. 

I'm not much for post-game celebrations and such, but I watched a bit of this one and was honestly worried Kim Mulkey was going to drop her grandson. Mulkey, obviously overcome with Cox's injury...a blubbering, hot mess in the post-game.

Like her or despise her, Mulkey was able to get the "bigs", has more on the way for next year, and finally got her third NCAA Championship win. A comeback to remember, tainted by the horrific injury to Cox.

No Griner. No Odyssey Sims. But...two post-players who learned how to work with each other, a couple of guards who could shoot and pass the ball to the post and managed to win despite the antics of their flamboyant coach on the sidelines. What might have been one of the biggest "folds" in the NCAA WBB Championship game history averted. 

Cox will be back, eventually. Maybe not in time for next season, though.  Baylor next year is minus Brown but Mulkey returns good talent. Notre Dame graduates four starters.

Cox... an inspiration to all, playing with a diabetic pump attached to her that provides insulin when it senses she needs a boost. A player that the Cards really went after a couple of years ago. We got Ciera Johnson instead. 

Baylor survives the comeback. Seeded #1 overall in the brackets, and living up to that pre-tournament ranking. They should send a thank-you, or condolence card -- something -- to Arike. 

2019. The year of the Bear. 


paulie
xxxxx

Softball, Lacrosse, Volleyball and Spirit! -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

Softball Splits the Day

Defending national champion Florida State came to town for a 3 game series that was originally scheduled to start Friday, but due to weather forecasts got switched to be a double-header yesterday (Saturday) and a game tomorrow evening.

Sidney Melton throws from 3rd

The Cardinals and the Seminoles split the day yesterday, with the Cards taking the first game 2-0, with all of the scores coming on a Megan Hensley rip to the centerfield berm into the middle of a clutch of fans.  Celene Funke was the other base runner after reaching on a single.  After those first inning heroics, however, the game settled down to a scoreless pitcher's duel the rest of the way.

The second game saw FSU put up a run in the 2nd, a pair in the 3rd, and another in the 5th to reach their game tally of 4.  The Cards would get one back in the bottom of the 6th, after Sidney Melton tripled then got home on a Madison Cousineau sacrifice fly out in foul territory.

The Cards a 'Noles continue the series tomorrow at 7pm at Ulmer.  While there is still a chance of rain in the forecast for tomorrow, it is a smaller chance than today, so there's hope.

Video below of Watson and Coach Aprile

DANIELLE WATSON POST GAME INTERVIEW

HOLLY APRILE POST DOUBLEHEADER INTERVIEW

Lacrosse Loses on Senior Day

The Lacrosse squad honored the lone senior on the team, Canadian Tessa Chad.  The Orono, Ontario native transferred to UofL to continue playing for Scott Teeter and has proven to be a bright spot for a rebuilding team.

Tessa Chad taking a shot

Chad picked up a hat trick in the 17-6 loss to UNC.  This leaves UofL still winless in the extremely tough ACC with two more chances to get a conference victory in the season.

First, though, the Cards will get one last non-conference game in when Ohio State visits the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium Tuesday for a 1pm start.  The stick squad finishes out the season on the road, first visiting Charlottesville to take on the 1-4 in conference, 9-5 overall UVA Hokies.  The season finale will be up in Chestnut Hill with a monumental challenge against undefeated Boston College (5-0, 14-0 overall).

Scott Teeter discusses Senior Day below

SCOTT TEETER REVIEW SENIOR DAY VS UNC

Spirit Squads Bring Home More Wins

Stop me if you've heard this one before.  The Ladybirds won the Division 1A Team Dance
Performance in the NCA and NDA National championships in Daytona Florida.  If you've paid much attention at all the Louisville Spirit Squads, this probably comes as no surprise to you.  This is the 18th consecutive, and 20th overall win for the Ladybirds.

The All-Girl Cheer squad is building their own dynasty and legacy with their 6th straight and 16th overall win in their category.

Also at the top of the podium is the 4 Girl Group Stunt group with their 2nd straight win.  This is a newer category, I believe, so the dynasty may just be starting, here.

Lots of 2nd place finishes as well, with the Ladybirds coming in 2nd in the Hip Hop division, and the small and large Co-Ed Cheer groups also came one position away from the overall wins.

Volleyball

The volleyball squad took part in the annual KIVA Collegiate Showcase at the Ohio Valley Volleyball Center.  The biggest news to come from the event is that Marijke van Dyke is apparently not with the team anymore.  She was not in attendance at the event at all.  There has been no official statement from Coach Busboom Kelly on the topic.  I did get confirmation that while she acknowledges that they aren't the most healthy of snacks, she believes the fried cheeseballs at the OVVC food concession are very good.  Your correspondent concurs in this judgement.

On the court, the Cards continue to progress and excel at blocking, another aspect of the day that kept your correspondent in a great mood, and the development of individual players is evident.

I continue to be impressed in the spring season with Emily Scott and Aiko Jones with both making their presence at the net felt more strongly than ever.  Mia Stander, who stepped up during the season to fill in for an injury depleted defensive squad, is showing that she has adjusted well to the role.  The Cards faithful will be delighted to see the play of Tori Dilfer in the setter role.

Speaking of injuries, I did get to speak to Alexis Hamilton's father Dennis, who reported that she hopes to get cleared to full activity in the mid-May timeframe.  He said she's currently, "about 70%".  I did observe her participating in pepper with Associate Head Coach Dan Meske during warm-ups and she looked to be moving well and showed no impairment.  Cards fans should be excited to see her back out on the court in the fall, I know she is anxious to get back to playing as well.


Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

The knuckleheads gathered on Mellwood Saturday Morning (sans Jeff, who joined via phone from
KIVA)  for the weekly look at UofL women's athletics.

Paulie, Case, Jared and Daryl covered WBB, softball, volleyball, lacrosse and other items of interest in a fast-paced, lively forum.

A special thanks to the "queen mother" of WCHQ FM Kathy Weisbach for coming in to run the board, adjust the sound, video, noises and produce the hour-long foray into Cardinal womens' athletics.

The Facebook Live link below:

THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR 4/6/19

-- 

JMcA

Sandy Pearsall Retires-- MLB Draft -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Sandy Pearsall Calls It Quits After 19 Seasons With UofL Softball

Once summertime arrives it can be tough to find a topic to write about sometimes so we always hope there will be news to write about.  Unfortunately, the news is not always the greatest, and sadly, we are announcing that Sandy Pearsall is retiring.

Pearsall helped build the UofL softball program from the ground up.  She was called in in 2000 to start a softball program with hopes of it becoming nationally recognized and she did just that.  In her 19 seasons at UofL, Pearsall has accumulated 718 wins,  six conference championships, 13 NCAA Regional appearances, and four NCAA Regional titles.  With Louisville, Pearsall went 718-371 for a .659 win percentage.

Louisville saw major success including a 55-5 season and a national ranking as high as seventh in the country while only having two losing seasons.  In the 19-year history Louisville has had losing records in conference play just twice and had a franchise-best 20-2 conference record in the 2012 season.

In 2000, Pearsall was named Conference USA Coach of the Year.  In 2012, Pearsall and her staff were named NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Louisville players were extremely successful with individual awards.  There have been 101 all-league selections- 27 All-Conference USA, 54 All-Big East, five All-American Athletic, and 14 All-ACC.  Some of the highest honors include two Players of the Year (Asst Director of Marketing Chelsea Bemis is one of them), two Pitchers of the Year, one MVP, and one Freshman of the Year.

Before her time with Louisville Pearsall spent several years with a handful of schools.  The former Oregon State standout spent time at Pacific, San Francisco, Florida A&M, Colorado State, and Miami.  She was named to the Pacific Hall of Fame and won the 1990 Western Athletic Conference Championship with the Rams.

Pearsall released a statement, "It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to retire from the University of Louisville.  It has been a great ride, but after almost 35 years in the profession, it is time to walk away and focus on my family and my health.  I  am very thankful to the university, the administration, my staff, and co-workers for their hard work, support and friendship throughout the years.  I am especially thankful for the players who have come through our program.  They have helped lay the foundation for the success we have built here."

Vince Tyra had kind words for the well-known coach, "We sincerely appreciate all of Sandy's efforts in building our softball program from the ground up.  The 718 wins, NCAA regional appearances and conference titles are significant, but her legacy is united with the abundance of student-athletes' lives she touched and the investment she made in advancing softball in our community and university.  We wish her the best in her well-deserved retirement.  We will begin a national search for a new softball coach immediately."

Softball alumna Kelsi Rynard (formerly Kelsi Jones, 2015 graduate) thanked Pearsall via a Facebook post, "To the woman who took me in and gave me a chance, I can't imagine what my life would be like without you.  You kicked my ass when you needed to and you loved me when I needed it most.  I'm so thankful to have played for you, to have learned from you, and to have been a very small part of your tenure.  Louisville softball would be nothing without you.  Sandy P, you are the greatest [heart emoji]."

From someone who has only actively followed UofL softball for the last four years it was immediately clear to me the impact Coach Pearsall had on the university and this program.  It has quickly become one of my favorite sports to cover as media and to attend as a fan.  Her successor will have major shoes to fill.

Unfortunately, as always with the departure of a head coach, we will probably see an exodus of players and assistant coaches.  Pitching coach Kassie Stanfill already departed to accept a job at another school a couple of weeks ago.

I'm sure we will hear more from Paulie and Worldwide regarding this announcement in the comments or upcoming articles.

On a side note still softball related, congratulations to Florida State on winning their first ever NCAA softball championship.  The title is also the first in the history of the ACC.  The Seminoles, who beat Louisville four times this year, won the series against Washington 2-0.  When I had the chance to shoot a couple games earlier in the season while in Tallahassee and Florida State definitely looked like the team to beat then.

Louisville Has Three Selected in MLB Draft

Josh Stowers

Josh Stowers is packing his bags and heads to Seattle, well after some time spent in the lower divisions, to become a Mariner.  He was taken in the second round with the 54th overall selection.  The outfielder was a team captain and was an All-ACC First Team selection after his stellar season.

Adam Wolf was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round, 135th overall.  The lefty pitcher was a Third Team All-American and struck out over 100 batters en route to an 8-2 record in the 2018 season.

Devin Mann

Devin Mann was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth round, 164th overall.  The second baseman started every game and remained in the top half of the lineup.  Mann ranks sixth in the NCAA in walks and 17th in runs scored.

We wish these Cardinals the best of luck in the pros!





Other Cardinals in the Pros

Because of the wonky schedule with the WNBA I will keep my weekly WNBA updates on Friday, but there are a couple other UofL alums that were in town last night.

Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution, first pick in 2012 MLS draft, Atherton High School graduate) and Paolo DelPiccolo (Louisville City FC) went head-to-head last night at Lynn Stadium as the two teams competed in the US Open Cup.  The boys in purple and gold walked away with a win 3-2 and improved their record at Lynn this year to 3-0.  The hometown USL team and reigning USL Champions shocked the MLS team and will advance to the round of 16.

Maybe the biggest win (so far) in Lou City FC history. 

Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!

- Jared -