Softball Takes Two, Indoor T&F Championships -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Get Runs When Needed; Beat Bradley and UMass

Game 1: UofL 10 - Bradley 8

Louisville's first two games in the Louisville Classic didn't go the way Coach Sandy Pearsall likely expected them to when she created the schedule for this season. In the end, the Cards came away with a pair of wins, but both took quite a bit more effort than one might think when looking at the opponents. It took consistent scoring as well as a late big inning to put away Bradley, and a heroic final half inning was necessary to get the game against UMass into extra innings.

Bradley got the first game started off strong, with the first batter of the game singling to get on base. After a foul out and a walk, another single brought the first run of the game in to score. Louisville got the run back in the bottom of the second on a Jamie Soles double, but Bradley lit up the scoreboard in the top of the third. Danielle Watson was chased after 2.2 innings having given up 6 runs. Although only three were earned, it was clear Watson didn't have her best against Bradley having already given up two walks, a wild pitch, and a hit by pitch in those first three innings. Bradley was also having no trouble seeing the ball from Watson as they piled up 6 hits.

Louisville cut the deficit to 6-3 in the bottom half when an error off the bat of Megan Hensley, who had also come in to replace Watson on the mound, scored two. An inning later, Caitlin Ferguson tied the game with a three run shot to left center. Both teams were scoreless in the fifth, as Hensley seemed to have calmed the storm from Bradley. However, in the top of the sixth, back to back home runs followed the first out of the inning and Bradley regained a two run lead. They threatened to increase it further when an error loaded the bases with only two out, but Hensley was able to coax a ground ball to third base to get out of the inning without allowing any more runs.

The Cards wasted no time in the bottom half. The first three batters reached going single, error, single to score a run. A strike out and a pop out followed and it looked like the Cards might only get one run out of it, before Soles singled in the tying run and Jenna Jordan swatted a two run double. Hensley came back out in the top of the seventh and iced the game, forcing a foul out and two strikeouts after allowing a leadoff single. Hensley finished allowing 7 hits in 4.1 innings, but only gave up the two home runs. She walked three but made up for it with six Ks. Despite the outstanding start to the season that Danielle Watson has had, Megan Hensley continues to be the same consistent thrower that she has been in the past, and it's great to be able to turn to a veteran pitcher with confidence. Louisville's offense was led by Caitlin Ferguson who scored on all three of her hits and swatted in 4 RBI and Sidney Melton who also parlayed three hits into three runs. Jamie Soles and Jenna Jordan both picked up 2 RBI apiece. 

Game 2: UofL 5 - UMass 4

Despite a rough outing against Bradley, Pearsall turned right back to Watson to start against UMass. Watson responded by pitching 8 full innings and picking up her 12th win of the season. Watson had a bit of trouble with location, walking 5 and giving up 7 hits, but she was able to strikeout 7 batters as well. Despite allowing all four runs earned, Pearsall had faith in her freshman, and left her in when things got tough in the sixth inning. In any sport, it is easy to question a coach's decision making when reading the box score. The outcome of the game has a major effect on your view of the decisions. Had Louisville been unable to come all the way back in this one, seeing Pearsall leave Watson in the game after walking two while only down one run might have been a head scratcher. However, there is nothing to say that Hensley wouldn't have also given up a three run homer had she inherited the situation. To Watson's credit, she finished the inning, and then fired back to back scoreless innings to allow Louisville to tie and win in consecutive innings. 

Louisville's bats were silent in this game until the bottom of the seventh inning. The Cards put together 7 singles over the first six innings but were unable to turn any into runs. As a pitcher, it can't exactly be the best feeling to be down one run and watch your teammates leave seven runners on base in the first five innings. It was all made up for, though, when the Cards entered their final chance at bat. Sidney Melton opened with a single and Nicole Pufahl added a double after a Ferguson flew out. Madison Cousineau walked to load the bases and a Megan Hensley single moved everyone one station. The Cards' first run was on the board and the bases were still loaded with one out. An error plated two more runs and a Kara Snyder single brought in the tying run. With runners on first and second and only one out, Alison 'Mike' Szydlowski struck out and Celene Funke popped out. New ball game.

In the eighth, with a runner placed on second, Danielle Watson calmly struck out the first two batters of the inning. The control issue came into play when she walked the next batter, with the fourth ball going wild. With runners on the corners and two outs, Watson fired another wild pitch, this one fielded and returned to the plate in time to tag out the runner from third. The Cards made short work of the bottom half. A productive groundout moved their free runner from second to third, and a single from Caitlin Ferguson won the game.

Neither game last night was the prettiest effort from the Cards. That said, they managed to come away with two victories and moved their record to 17-4 on the season. They'll have opportunities to improve on their showings last night as they'll rematch against UMass today at three, followed by the lone game against Eastern Michigan. They'll face Bradley again tomorrow at 12:30.

Softball photos courtesy of Jared Anderson.

Three Women Earn All-American Honors at Indoor T&F Championships

The Cards were led by a familiar name yesterday as Emmonnie Henderson posted her best finish at an NCAA Championship event in her final year. Henderson was named a First Team All-American when she finished second in the shot put. Teammates Holly Hankenson and Alexis Gibbons were both named to the Second Team All-American squad based on their performances yesterday as well. Hankenson finished 13th in the pentathlon event and Gibbons finished 15th in the long jump. Action continues at the championship today and is available on ESPN3.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

Paulie has returned from his trip to one of the Carolinas, and he returns to the studio today to share his experiences over the mic. No word yet on if he'll be bringing the ACC Championship trophy to Mellwood Avenue with him. Join us for the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour live at 11AM on WCHQ FM. The show is available over the radio, online at wchqfm.com, or on the WCHQ app. You can also catch a live stream of the show with video on the WCHQ 100.9 FM Facebook page.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-

Spring Sports off to Strong Start -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Softball Bags Two Wins

Game 1: UofL 5 - Butler 2

As Jared mentioned in his write up yesterday, two more spring sports followed in the shoes of tennis and got their schedules started during the winter. While the UofL baseball team will wrap up a final weekend of scrimmages this week and get underway next week, the softball team got their season started with a bang yesterday, defeating both Butler and UCF in Orlando.

While the team came out with two wins, it didn't always look to be so. The first game started about as terribly as it could. Butler had runners reach second and third base with no outs in the top of the first. Both of those runners would eventually come around to score before a couple of infield popups ended the top half. Louisville followed with a 4-up-3-down bottom half in which they struck out twice and walked once. The Cards trailed 2-0 at then end of the first.

Despite an unfortunate start, Louisville quickly turned the game around. From the 2nd through the 5th inning, Butler had one runner reach base, and that was on a hit by pitch. Megan Hensley struck out five over that stretch. In the bottom of the second, Jamie Soles started the Cards off with a walk and they were in business. Soles and Alison Szydlowski (Mike) both came around to score unearned runs, tying the game. By the time Butler got their next runner on base in the sixth inning (a walk), Louisville led 4-2. The Butler runner posed no real threat, as she was out at second on a fielder's choice, and the player who replaced her at first was left there by the end of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Nicole Pufahl took matters into her own hands against the new Butler pitcher. Poof led off the inning with a walk, then used three (straight?) wild pitches to waltz around the bases for the fifth Louisville run. Blaire Bass reached on a hit in the same inning, and Catie Barber advanced on two more wild pitches as the pinch runner, but the Cards were unable to score another run.

In the seventh, Butler threatened with a walk, single, and error, but ultimately were unable to score again before the game ended on a line-out to center field. Megan Hensley finished the game with only two runs allowed (both unearned), five hits, two walks, two HBP, and seven strikeouts. She went the distance. Averaging 9 K/9 (do they call it a K/7 in softball?) is nothing to scoff at, and Hensley showed that she may just be rebounded from those injury issues that kept her down last season.

Louisville's scorers were Sidney Melton, Caitlin Ferguson, Soles, Poof, and Mike. While three of those runs were unearned, the Cards put together a team on-base percentage of 0.375 in the game which is always going to be beneficial for the offense. 

Game 2: UofL 5 - UCF 3

Only 27 minutes after finishing the game against Butler, Louisville's next game of the day started against the Knights of UCF. As the away team this game, it was the Cards' turn to bat first, and they used that opportunity effectively. Caitlin Ferguson opened the game with a single, advanced on an error on a Sidney Melton bunt, and later came around to score on a Mike single. A Blaire Bass single through the right side allowed Melton to score and Mike followed her in as the ball flew around the infield. Bass was out caught between second and first in the confusion. Danielle Watson worked a quick bottom half with a strikeout and a single and the Cards led 3-0 after one. 

The next nine combined batters to the plate saw themselves head back to the dugout before UCF saw some life in the bottom of the third. An HBP and a single had the Knights in business with one out, before Watson promptly shut down the rally with a pair of strikeouts. Louisville went down in order for the third inning in a row, and UCF saw another opportunity in the fourth. Watson went BB, BB, K, BB to load the bases before a pair of ground balls and a play at the plate kept the Knights off the board once more. 

In the fifth, Louisville finally saw a batter reach base again as Kyra Snyder got a single down. Jordyn Wolfe came in to pinch run after Snyder was bunted to second. Wolfe reached third on a passed ball, but after a ground out, she committed a major error by making the last out at third base. Stretching her lead too much on a pitch, the UCF catcher caught Wolfe off guard and she was picked off at third with a throw behind. The bottom half saw Louisville's defensive luck falter a bit as a double, sac fly, and single brought in UCF's first run. The Cards were able to limit the damage, though, and led 3-1 after five.

After a Melton walk to begin the sixth, Louisville saw their first home run of the season as Jenna Jordan swatted one over the fence in left center. Louisville led 5-1 and would score no more runs in the final two innings. Despite a leadoff single, a double, and a passed ball in the seventh, Louisville would score no runs due to a caught stealing between the single and double, and a pair of outs surrounding the passed ball. The bottom half saw a UCF team that refused to go down without a fight. Despite starting the inning with a groundout, UCF loaded the bases with two outs following a pair of walks and an error. Another error brought two runners in to score before a batter brought in to pinch hit struck out to end the game (ouch). Louisville won 5-3

Danielle Watson got the win for the Cards in this one, despite not going the distance. She allowed four hits, one earned run, three walks, and an HBP to go along with five strikeouts in five innings pitched. Kyra Snyder came in to finish the game out and allowed two runs (one earned) on no hits and four walks. She had three strikeouts in her two innings pitched. So far, every Louisville pitcher is averaging at least 7K/7, but have had some trouble with control. The Card have put 12 runners on base between 9 walks and 3 hit batters. Strikeouts are great, but free baserunners are not. Finding the strike zone will be a point of emphasis in bull pen sessions going forward, I would imagine.

There was only one new scorer for the Cards in the second game, as Jenna Jordan touched home for the first time (as a runner) following the home run. Ferguson and Mike both scored their second runs of the season, and Melton scored her second and third. These first two games have been good for the Louisville offense, something which struggled at times last season. Games against tougher opponents may see them struggle if they go down in order in three straight innings, but the diamond sports are finicky, and sometimes a couple of big innings are enough.

For both sides of the ball going forward, I would say consistency is key. Softball will have two more games today with a game against North Florida at 11AM and one against North Carolina scheduled at 4PM. 

Teeter Debuts at Louisville with Win

In his first game as head coach of the University of Louisville lacrosse team, Scott Teeter was able to coach the Cards to victory against long-time regional rival, Cincinnati. On the road against the Bearcats, Louisville scored early and often in the first half. Tessa Chad opened the scoring in just over a minute to put the Cards up, but Cincy's Kate Carney scored a mere 24 seconds later to tie the game again. Louisville was not dismayed, though, scoring three straight goals in the next five minutes, and ultimately leading 11-4 at the end of the first half.

In the second, goals were harder to come by for the Cards, as they ended up losing the second thirty minutes 4-5. However, despite scoring in the first minute of the second half, Cincinnati could not keep up consistent pressure, and they did not have enough offensive firepower to overcome the first half deficit. Louisville won the game 15-9. 

Lacrosse has always been an interestingly high scoring game to me, just as ice or field hockey can be. I've spent the majority of my life playing and enjoying outdoor soccer, which, despite the large goal, does not see scoring very often, as you all likely know. Indoor soccer, due to the smaller field, does see quite a bit more scoring. Lacrosse has a tiny goal, like ice hockey, so defending it seems as though it should be simpler. However, the tiny scoring object seems nearly impossible to stop, as saves always seem to be a stat thrown to the wayside. I only say this because Louisville lacrosse has always been a volume scoring team, at least as long as I've paid attention, and they will need to continue to do so to be successful. Their opening game with a new head coach seems to imply this will stay the norm.

Louisville turned 27 shots into 23 on goal and 15 goals. That's pretty good. They only converted on 3 of 9 free position shots, a number that doesn't look great, but remember that I come from a sport where nearly every penalty is expected to be converted. In fairness, Cincinnati only converted 1-7, so we can at least say that the Cards won that battle. Lexie Ball was the keeper for the Cards and she played all 60 minutes, picking up 7 saves with 9 goals allowed. Louisville had a wealth of scorers, as you might expect with 15 goals, and Tessa Chad led the way with 4 goals and 2 assists. Madison Hoover, Jillian Balog (2), Caroline Blalock, Brenna Shanahan, Julia Wood, Sarah Blalock (2), Emily Howell, Lexi Arens, and Ally Hall all also scored.

Louisville has a quick turnaround with another lacrosse rival in Marquette tomorrow at 1PM. This one is at home, but is also available on the ACC Network Extra if you can't make it out. Louisville has been strong against Marquette in the past, and will look to continue their winning ways and open the season with two straight wins. 

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

All of this, and much more, will be available for your listening pleasure on the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour today at 11AM. The show airs on WCHQ FM, and is available at 100.9 FM, wchqfm.com, or the WCHQ app. I was a very late scratch for today's show due to personal reasons, and the late decision will likely leave a microphone open. Nevertheless, the remainder of the team is more than capable of bringing you the very best in the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports, as they do every week. I look to be back in studio next week, where I'm sure to be chastised for my absence.

LISTEN TO THE 2/10/18 SHOW: THE CARDINALCOUPLE RADIO HOUR 2/10/18



Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-

Monday Cardinal Couple - Selectioning

I don't know if "selectioning" was a word, but it is now...

Men's Selectioning

So, the men's bracket was revealed last night.  It may have been the first time in my Cardinal Fandom history when I didn't hear immediate grousing from most of CardNation about how the selection disrespects UofL.  So...that's cool.

Not only did the men get a seeding that was higher than what most of CardNation seemed to be expecting, but they did so without also getting schlepped out to some obscure corner of the country to play first and second round games.

If you have been living under a sports media rock since last night, the Cardinals picked up a 2nd seed in the men's tournament, and will only have to go up the road to Indianapolis to play their 1st and 2nd round games starting Friday.  Their first round opponent is Jacksonville State.  Kentucky will also be making the trip to play in Indianapolis, along with their opponent, first-time-eligible Northern Kentucky.  While this sounds like a recipe for massive ticket shortages with at least two fan bases in Louisville and Kentucky that travel very well, there may a chance, however painful this may be for some of CardNation and Big Blue Nation, to cooperate for tickets.  Louisville has an afternoon matchup, with a 2:45'ish tip against Jacksonville State in the afternoon session, while Kentucky and NKU tangle in the late game of the evening session to tip around 9:40pm.  Find you a buddy that likes to wear blue and split the ticket price and availability between the two of you.  If you can't make the trip, both games will be televised on the main CBS channel.  Do be aware, that at least at the time of this writing, that WLKY, the local Louisville CBS affiliate, and Dish are having a carriage spat, and WLKY is not available on Dish at the moment.  Let's hope that they get this sorted out before Thursday, and definitely before Friday.

As for the region, the 1 seed is Kansas, 3 is Oregon, and 4 is Purdue.  I think Louisville, if they play their game can beat any of those teams, with Kansas being obviously the biggest worry.  Some have expressed concerned about a potential 2nd round matchup against Michigan, a concern that I share.  This is a team that has clearly shown that adversity isn't going to stop them, having advanced through and won the Big 10 tournament after literally experiencing a plane crash when they were departing to go to the tourney.

Overall, I, like it seems most of CardNation, am happy and excited for the tournament draw that the men got.

Women's Selectioning

We find out the women's draw tonight.  The selection show is at 7 o'clock on ESPN.  While CBS found out last year that a 2 hour long bracket reveal was a bad idea, and likely to see the bracket leaked (this year, they only took about 40 minutes), ESPN has never so crassly milked the bracket reveal for the women.

The pulse of CardNation seems to be trending towards a 4 seed for us, which means hosting 1st and 2nd rounds at the KFC Yum! Center.  I won't even try to predict matchups, as I suck at this sort of thing, and I'm sure our fine readers will happily express their opinions in the comment section below.  As always, let's keep it civil and respectful as you all almost always do (insert proud parent expression here).

UofL is hosting a selection show watch party at the Sports and Social Club at 4th Street Live.  Admission is free, a limited menu will be available (probably to help the event venue keep up with the crush of people expected),  UofL is encouraging reservations (presuming any are available at this point) through Toby Hammond (tobi@4thstedc.com).  Don't let a lack of reservations stop you from going, but you may be dealing with a standing room only situation and no real ability to order food, so grabbing a bite of dinner before you go is probably the right play call. Doors open at 6, show starts at 7. Free parking after 6 in the 4th Street Live garage on 5th street. 

In Other News

After cancelling Saturday's games for expected inclement weather that never really materialized, Softball did take the field against Northern Iowa yesterday afternoon at 2.

Maryssa Becker went the distance in the 8-5 win, as did pretty much the rest of the team, with no substitutions shown on the scoresheet at all, though there was one reshuffling of positions for players already in the game.  For the top of the 5th inning, Alison "Mike" Szydlowski moved to 3rd base from her designated hitter position, with the previous 3rd base player, Lillie Goetz, moving over to the DH spot.  This is the first time "Mike" has played 3rd, typically being behind the plate as catcher, but she is just the latest in a rotating cast of characters to take up the 3b spot as Sandy Pearsall searches for an option that she likes.  Personally, I'm a fan of Goetz, though she does come up a little short on the strength to get a strong throw to first from the opposite corner on the run.  Otherwise, she's probably the most aware player to have played in that spot for the Cards this year, playing very smart ball.  Mike, on the other hand, has amply demonstrated her throwing strength by gunning down several attempted steals of 2nd from the plate already in this young season.  She reminds me of Maggie Ruckenbrod, a favorite here at Cardinal Couple and someone that you just really shouldn't have tried to steal 2nd on.  Perhaps the fielding and throwing capability at 3rd is more important, a theory that I would have trouble arguing against, but I do love to see a good throw to 2nd to catch a stealing baserunner.

Otherwise, things got done by committee, Freshman Caitlin Ferguson had a good game with 2 hits and 3 rbis.  Jamie Soles, The New Pride of New Egypt, reached safely all 3 of her times at bat with 2 rbis, and speedster Jordan McNary reached on 3 of her 4 at bats with an rbi.

Softball begins conference play Friday at 4pm with Pitt coming in to Ulmer for the 3 game homestand.


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NCAA WBB TOURNAMENT CARDINAL COUPLE PICK 'EM

As we have done over the past few years, we'll offer a CARDINAL COUPLE NCAA WBB Pick 'Em contest. Once the brackets are released, feel free you leave your picks in any of the next few days comments sections or e-mail them to Sonja at

cardinalcouple@twc.com

See the Right Side of the Site for an example. Basically, it's simple. Give us your first round 32 picks. Then, narrow that to 16. Next, your Great Eight. Follow that with your Final Four. Your title game two and your winner. Hey, you're probably doing one for the Men's Tournament. Why not try the Women's?

63 picks. The most right wins. In case of a tie, the earliest entry wins. We will offer a $25 Gift Card to either Panera or Cracker Barrel to the winner and "the left-over one" to second place.

Have fun, choose wisely and good luck. Entries need to be in before the first game tips off. We'll feature a few here at the site over the next couple of days. 

-- JMcA

Softball banquet: All about the appreciation -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CAPACITY CROWD FOR SOFTBALL'S BULLPEN CLUB DINNER 

There was a consistent theme at the UofL Softball Bullpen Club Dinner Saturday night at the Brown & Williamson Club in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and it dealt with appreciation.   

Appreciation from the players on being able to play at Louisville and with their teammates. Appreciation from head Softball coach Sandy Pearsall for her players, staff, sponsors of the program and the attendance of the event...plus appreciation for keynote speaker Lauren Chamberlain.

Chamberlain continued the theme during her remarks, encouraging the players to appreciate their college years and the chance to play college softball. She also encouraged them to keep up the positive attitude that was present during the evening's events and appreciate the efforts of their teammates, coaches and fans.

SONJA AND PAULIE LISTEN TO SEAN QUIZ LAUREN

We were certainly appreciative of being there and Sonja and I ran into Worldwide shortly upon arrival and appreciated the chance to talk with and interview some great people.

Coach Pearsall was effusive in her remarks about the crowd, the players and the upcoming speaker. We also got a few words in with the "pros"...both Whitney Arion and Kelsi Jones were in attendance. Both were able to play professional softball after graduation this summer. Arion is a softball coach now at Eastern Kentucky University and Jones working in an administrative capacity at Ball State. 

We saved our final interview for the chance to speak with the Soles sisters...Kayla graduated and working with 8-12 year olds...teaching them the fundamentals of the game and sophomore sister Jamie working to gain a spot in the Cardinal infield this season. 

We'll have all the interviews on the next CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR...and they were great fun to conduct. 

Sonja and I were fortunate enough to be at the table where redshirt sophomore outfielder Nicole Pufahl and sophomore utility player Ashley Nikolao and her parents were sitting. Both were stunning in their dresses (one gets used to seeing them in uniforms and when the girls get dressed up for events like this, it's a pleasant surprise and sight for viewing) and the two will be part of the power contingent that Pearsall will send to the plate against foes this season. 

Keynote speaker Chamberlain was a delight to listen to and the post-address interview with emcee Sean Moth revealed that she's been fortunate enough to meet and talk with stars Peyton Manning and Justin Bieber. 

The evening ended all too soon and it was a great night of casual conversation with old and new friends and a chance to hear from the girls that will be shaping the future of college softball at Louisville. A time to be appreciative. 

As Chamberlain commented during her address: 

" I'd give anything in the world to trade places with you and be sitting where you are right now...with a season ahead of you and so many great experiences and opportunities ahead. Appreciate them, because when they are over...I can tell you...you'll miss them so much and wish you were still playing college softball." 

(And Coach Pearsall would probably appreciate her bat in the lineup this season). 

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The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour from yesterday is now up and available on the Crescent Hill Soundcloud. Another fun show! 

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/chradio/cardinal-couple-012316

paulie
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