Tuesday Cardinal Couple - WCWS Reflections on Pitching

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( IN TODAY'S TUESDAY EDITION OF CARDINAL COUPLE, WORLDWIDE JEFF MCADAMS DECIDES TO LET HIS GALL BLADDER WRITE THE COLUMN...A CONCILIATORY GESTURE...SINCE IT MAY NOT BE AROUND MUCH LONGER. WE'RE ALL ABOUT OPPORTUNITY HERE AT CARDINAL COUPLE...JEFF AND "Gallie" DISCUSS THEIR RECENT OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THE WCWS)  

WCWS Softball Binge Watching

If you listened to Saturday's Cardinal Couple Radio Hour on Crescent Hill Radio, you heard that I've been dealing with some gall bladder issues and have been a bit under the weather since about Thursday and have largely been laid up on my couch.

Conveniently, the Women's College World Series, the NCAA championship event for Softball, also started Thursday.  To say that I've watched a lot of softball over the weekend doesn't really capture it.  In fact, I've probably watched just about every pitch of the WCWS...minus those where I dozed off thanks to the Percocet...and I continue to watch it right now as I write this article.

I've noticed something, and this isn't just based on the observations of the eight teams in this year's world series, but they have certainly brought it into sharper focus.  The common thread among these eight teams, and in teams in the WCWS in years past, has been pitching.  We've talked about pitching woes here on Cardinal Couple in the past as well as on the radio show, and I think Paulie and I disagree in some of this, but I'm starting to worry that UofL Softball is still not going down the right path in the pitching staff area.  The thing I've noticed, though, is that these teams have one primary pitcher that seems to pitch most, or even all, of their games.  In softball, its feasible to have one pitcher take you through most, if not all, of the season and post-season, and all of the teams that seem to make it deep into post-season show this pattern.

Torrid Tori Collins and DEX

There are exceptions, and there are certainly example that can be pointed to for when you need to be prepared to replace a pitcher that is just out of gas...the most recent example of that is UK's loss in the WCWS when it was clear to all that Kelsey Nunnley was just exhausted, but no substitution was forthcoming.

A couple of years ago, UofL had a fantastic pitcher, Tori Collins, who pitched most of the season and
it was one of the better seasons Louisville has had in softball.  As an aside, Tori went on to marry former UofL Football player Dexter Heyman and the two have an absolutely adorable child, now.

Last season, UofL really only had two pitchers, Caralisa "Carl" Connell and a transfer Rachel LeCoq.  Carl started out the season quite well, and Rachel struggled a little early.  As the season went on, however, Carl...well...there's no nice way to put this...she just fell apart as a pitcher.  This left Rachel picking up the pieces, which she increasingly did as the season went on.  When the NCAA Regionals came around, UofL had done well enough to host, but eventually, with one loss in the bag, came up against a very good UCLA team on Saturday night.  I remember that night well, though I wish I didn't.  Let's just suffice it to say that everyone was glad when that game was over.  The verdict?  Rachel was worn out and developing blisters on her pitching fingers, and Carl just wasn't getting the job done - UofL just ran out of pitching.

It should be noted that Jasmine Smithson Willett was a freshman pitcher on the squad who could hit as well...but saw little action in the circle in the 2013 season and decided to transfer after one year. She did occasionally play outfield for Louisville on occasion and actually came in to finish the UCLA game...whether her skills were good enough to possibly contend for a more active role is something we'll never know.

So what's the response?  Go recruit more pitching, right?  I thought so too, and that's what has happened (it should be pointed out that our freshmen pitchers this year, Maryssa Becker, and Tiarra Sanabria, were already signed by this point), Coach P and staff went and recruited a couple of more pitchers to join the Cardinals pitching staff.  Rachel LeCoq and Caralisa Connell have now both graduated, leaving Maryssa and Tiarra.  Next year Bridgette Flaherty, a southpaw, and Madi Norman will be joining the pitching staff, bringing the stable back to four.

So, where's my concern?  Well, I'm excited about having a leftie in the mix, for sure, and Maryssa Becker certainly showed this year that she has the potential to be a real go-to pitcher.  My concern is the approach to the pitching staff...if you don't do well, you're going to get pulled and someone else put in your place...may be counterproductive.  It certainly doesn't give the pitcher the confidence to pitch through struggles and back to success.

Ex-Cards pitcher Aja Sherman
was the first UofL hurler to
throw a perfect game.

I just worry that we're not developing a pitcher that can reliably close the deal.  Logic says a staff of
multiple good pitchers is better, because just have to find the one that is "on" at that moment and let them take over the game.  But you may have already done too much damage as you cycle through pitchers that are "off" before you find one that's "on" and you're in too deep of a hole for the offense to dig out of.

I'm not a softball expert by any means, but my observations from watching a whole lot of the WCWS suggests that maybe a different strategy should be in order.  Maybe our coaching staff are thinking largely the same way, but they just don't know which of the four pitchers in our stable (two freshmen and two sophomores, so plenty of youth) will develop into a real go-to pitcher.  I don't know.

I just know that despite numerous bright spots in our pitching the past couple of years, it hasn't been adequate for getting to the next level of play in the NCAA....that being the Super Regional and ultimately the WCWS.

JMCA


(EDITOR'S NOTE: HERE'S A FOLLOW UP ON JASMINE SMITHSON-WILLETT)

The decision to transfer from Louisville to Oregon was simple for Smithson-Willett. After suffering a stress fracture her freshman year, Smithson-Willett wasn’t satisfied with her results. Naturally, when she heard of an opportunity to play for Oregon as a pitcher — a position she’s always wanted to play at the college level — Smithson-Willett made the move.

“I didn’t even get a chance to suck (at Louisville),” Smithson-Willett said. “So, I really wanted to make an impression this year. It’s all about chances and when I was looking at schools, I asked who would give me a chance. Coach White really took me under his wing and I appreciate that.”

Since arriving to Oregon, Smithson-Willett has smoothly transitioned back into her role as a pitcher and gained the respect of her teammates in the process. Smithson-Willett, the hardest-throwing pitcher for the Ducks, adds another dimension that every team wishes it had.

Smthson-Willett was 4-1 for the Ducks in five starts. She made 20 circle appearances in 2014. Oregon was eliminated from the WCWS on Sunday by Alabama 2-0.
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Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Smithson-Willett leaving the softball program

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Smithson-Willett granted released from Softball

-Eight freshman make up 2013 recruiting class


( DAY 4 of 'Julie Free Zone' here at the Couple.)


Cardinal Couple has learned that freshman pitcher/outfielder Jasmine Smithson-Willett has been granted her request to be released from her softball scholarship at the University of Louisville. She was one of
three freshmen on the squad...along with Ally Vaughn and Brittany Sims. 

JSW played mostly in the outfield for the Cards, helping fill the left field spot when Jen Esteban was sidelined with a leg injury. She also appeared in the pitching circle twice for Sandy Pearsall's squad...giving up three hits and three runs in an early season appearance against UNLV and two runs in the final inning of the season for Louisville against UCLA.

Often, it is hard to crack an established and veteran lineup and the softball Cards certainly had one of those...all eight of the 2013 regular starters had been starters or "first off the bench" performers in the 2012 season.

Smithson-Willett came in with good pitching credentials, but with returning starter Caralisa Connell and transfer Rachel Le Coq putting up significantly good ERA numbers, JSW's chances to make any starts or lengthy appearances inside the circle never happened.

You have to wonder if that break might have occurred for her in her sophomore year. With just 10 returning players, her chances for a starting spot in the outfield looked possible...since Hannah Kiyohara is the only returning, starting outfielder that we're positive is coming back. The Louisville roster lists Jordan Trimble as a redshirt junior but other sources indicate she's finished her eligibility.

Maryssa Becker

It also could be that Smithson-Willett wants to be a pitcher primarily...and with both Connell and LeCoq returning for next season...it might be a tough rotation to crack....especially if incoming freshman Maryssa Becker can convert her high school success (26-0, 0.43 ERA, 313 strikeouts and 6A Oregon 2012 Player of the Year) to the college game.

Becker is having a huge senior year as well. Link below:

BECKER BURIES THE BATTERS

Becker and her North Medford teammates also won the 6A Oregon State Championship Saturday with a 2-1 victory where she hurled a no-hitter. Details also available at oregonlive.com.

She appears to be a pitcher that will have great success at Louisville and turned down a lot of high profile softball programs to cast her lot with the Cardinals.

We're proponents of the three pitcher rotation. We had hoped to see it this year. We'd love to see it next season. You can't argue with the success Pearsall had with Le Coq and Connell (46-14)....but adding a proven quality hurler like Becker gives Pearsall an outstanding addition to baffle THE AMERICAN and ACC batters in the future.  

It is not immediately known where JSW will end up. A potentially powerful and talented player that was stymied by an early season leg injury, lack of playing time and chances to prove her skills...we wish her the best wherever she lands and glad to have at least one season to see her play for the Red and Black.

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Autumn McDuffie

Speaking of freshmen, Louisville had eight that will join the Cardinal softball lineup for next season. Coach Pearsall has two high school pitchers (Maryssa Becker and Tiarra Sanabria), three outfielders  (Morgan Meyer, Jordan McNary and Nicole Pufahl), two infielders (Rachel Houck and Autumn McDuffie) and a catcher (Kristina Dillard) coming aboard. Several of the players are adept at other positions as well. The Louisville area and surrounding region are represented well...with half of the freshmen living within a three hour drive of campus.

Geographical breakdown:

Maryssa Becker   --    Medford, OR
Kristina Dillard   --    Annapolis, MD
Rachel Houck      --    Greenfield, IN
Autumn McDuffie    --     Louisville (PRP)
Morgan Meyer     --    Louisville  (Mercy)
Jordan McNary    --    Madisonville, KY
Nicole Pufahl      --    Moorpark, CA
Tiarra Sanabria   --    Williamstown, NJ

-Paulie

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Cardinal Couple Softball report

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jeff McAdams with the recap of Louisville Softball's Saturday games in the NCAA
Regional. A disappointing way for the Cards to end the 2013 season.) 



Well, that certainly wasn't the Saturday I had hoped for.

UofL vs UAB

In the afternoon matchup, UofL fell in a hard fought game against UAB.   Starting off with 2 runs in the first, I thought this might be the return to the hard hitting bats that we have seen from The Cards in the past, and Alicja Wolny did oblige with a shot that pinged off the light poll in right field, but most of the rest of the game was small ball.  It was small ball that was working fairly well, however.  With a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning, it started to look like another Cardinal success was in the makings.

It started to become clear, however, that Rachel LeCoq was running out of steam in the circle.  Caralisa Connell came in for relief in the 5th inning.  Six pitches later, all balls, LeCoq returned to finish out the game.  Unfortunately, with a bit less effectiveness the rest of the way.  UAB would score four in the 5th inning, and two in the 6th to reach the winning score of 7-4.

UofL vs UCLA

In the late game, UCLA was to be the opponent.  Unfortunately, it really wasn't much of a game.

Caralisa Connell took the pitching duties most of the game, but her troubles with control continued.  Numerous walks, and plenty of base hits, and a couple of home runs came from the UCLA bats, handing UofL one of the worst losses in program history at 19-2.

The Cards just ran out of pitching.  We've talked about "Good Carl" and "Bad Carl" over the course of the season, and "Good Carl" has been missing in action for a couple of weeks now.  Rachel LeCoq tried her best to pick up the slack, but ultimately she just couldn't keep it going and the number of games took their toll on her.

What's in Store For the Future

Its hard to find much positive to say about these games, but I think you can look to the future and find, like so many sports at UofL, that the future is bright.

We knew all season that pitching would be the big question mark for this team due to circumstances that were largely impossible to predict, and for the bulk of the season they were able to overcome the marginal pitching situation with good fielding and absolutely phenomenal hitting.  This problem gets solved by recruiting good pitchers.  Its not an immediate solution as you likely aren't going to expect incoming freshmen to be star pitchers, though you might get lucky and find one that will be.  Over the course of a couple of years, though, you develop your pitching staff and solve the problem.

The other bright spot was Jasmine Smithson-Willett, who came in to pitch in the 5th inning.  While she didn't wow the crowd with incredible pitching, she held her own with a great hitting UCLA team.  JSW has potential in the circle.  Maybe she'll get to develop it, maybe there will be new pitchers that arrive through the recruiting process.  Alas, we don't have a Jenny for Softball to keep us informed on the recuit pipeline for Ulmer.  Regardless, we know that the cupboard isn't empty.  Both Rachel and Carl should be back for their senior seasons, JSW will be a sophomore and perhaps will develop her pitching skills some more.

Let's Get Some Perspective on the Season

Its hard to be happy about a season ending like this, but I think, if we take some time and look back over the season that Louisville Softball had, there's a whole lot to be proud of.  Wins over Top 10 teams, including an Oklahoma team that sat in the #1 spot the whole season.  Phenomenal hitting, great fielding, and some just generally fantastic athletes.

I'll be back at Ulmer next year, and I truly believe that this team will be even better.

-Jeff McAdams

( Editor's Note -- With LeCoq suffering from hand-swelling and Connell having control issues...the normally strong Cardinal pitching obviously wasn't at their best today. Head coach Sandy Pearsall mentioned to me in our pre-season interview that pitching was the question mark on this team. And, for 90% of the year..it was solid, impressive and maybe third best in the BIG EAST behind USF and Notre Dame inside the circle. Injuries, fatigue and being a bit off one's game can play a major role in the post season...and it did Saturday. Like Jeff, I'll recall this season very fondly, though...and hope that the two UofL hurlers can come back strong next year. I also hope my favorite player...freshman Jasmine Smithson-Willett...can earn a chance to be the Cards third producer of strikes and shutouts. We'll also look to see if there are any pitchers coming in for 2014. Coach Pearsall told me that you have to get in on the really good hurlers early...two or three years before they ever get to college. We hope the getting has been good for Sandy and the staff.  -- Paulie)

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Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Softball Cards hold on for 2-1 win over IPFW

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Cards escape bases loaded IPFW 7th to win.

-Meet Bill Salyer

-Cardinal Couple Radio today!

-Preakness? Nonsense...

If you are a fan of strong, dominating pitching...you had to love last night's 2-1 UofL win over IPFW in Ulmer Stadium. If you have a heart condition, though...the seventh inning probably had you looking for a first aid station or a defibrillator. Alicja Wolny's grab of a shot from IPFW's Alex Bousquet down the first base line got the Cards out of trouble and into the 2 p.m. game Saturday against UAB in the winner's bracket.

The Cards couldn't figure out IPFW pitcher Miranda Kramer in the first four innings. Three up, three down in the first three frames and a perfect game on the scoreboard before Katelyn Mann singled with one out in the fourth, stole second and Alicja Wolny drew a walk. The Cards were unable to capitalize, though...Maggie Ruckenbrod flying out to right and Jordan Trimble caught looking at one of Kramer's nine strikeouts.

Meanwhile, starting Louisville pitcher Rachel LeCoq was creating her own masterpiece on the mound, allowing just two hits and two Mastodon baserunners through five innings. Louisville entered the bottom of the fifth deadlocked in a scoreless tie and needed to make something happen.

Hannah made it happen. Hannah Kiyohara, UofL's left fielder started the inning with a sharp single to left. She was lifted for pinch runner Chrisanna Roberts, who advanced to second when Kramer plunked Taner Fowler with a fastball. Whitney Arion followed with a bloop infield single the load the bags with Cards and no outs. Jennifer Esteban, playing in her first game back from injury, drilled a shot literally off third base that IPFW couldn't come up with and Roberts scored to give the Cards a 1-0 lead. They wasted a prime opportunity to add to the margin though...Katie Keller becoming another Kramer KO victim, Mann popping out to first and Wolny grounding out to second.

IPFW wasted no time in tying it up in the top of the sixth. Alex Bousquet took a LeCoq fast ball to right center and it cleared the fence by the slimmest of margins. LeCoq recovered, however and sent the next three Mastodons back to the dugout.

Louisville responded in the home half of the sixth. After Maggie Ruckenbrod benefited from a dropped routine fly ball by IPFW right fielder Hillary Kartman, Jasmine Smithson Willett came in to pinch run.

( Our own Jenny O'Bryan, sitting in the right field open seating claims responsibility for the error...surmising that her taunting must have finally got to Kartman.)

Jordan Trimble's sacrifice bunt moved JSW to third and Kiyohara came to the rescue again, drilling a rope up the middle of the infield that nearly decapitated Kramer. It scored Smithson-Willett. Fowler's bloop infield gave the Cards runners on first and second...but Kramer shut the door once again...sending Arion and Esteban away from the plate with her eighth and ninth strikeouts.

All Louisville had to do was retire the Mastodons in the top of the seventh to take the win...but it proved to be an arduous task. With one out, LeCoq hit designated hitter Audrey Minton with a fastball inside. Prestlee Cooper came in to pinch run but watched as LeCoq fanned Megan Flenniken for the second out. It looked like it was over when Brittany Kachur hit a routine grounder to Cardinal shortstop Arion...but she had trouble coming up with it and suddenly, the Mastodons and two runners. With the infield playing in...Kayti Hanson lined a shot at UofL third baseman Mann, but she bobbled it and it was pulse-check time. Bags loaded, two outs and home run hitter Alex Bousquet at bat.
Fortunately, Wolny fielded the hit safely and the Cards were winners. After scaring around 800 fans to death.

Kiyohara was humble in the post game press conference, as was Esteban...simply stating they did what they had to do to help the team to a win. LeCoq was brilliant in her performance in the circle...admitting she "might have got the pitch a little high" on Bousquet's homer.

On a night where Louisville's three All-Region selections went a combined 0 for 8 at the plate...a transfer pitcher, player fresh off an injury and Hannah "Kivohara" (according to her name tag placard in the post-game press room) bailed out the Cards on a night where the rain mercifully held off.



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Louisville opens action Saturday with a 2 p.m. game against UAB. The Blazers used a six run third inning to send UCLA to the losers' bracket 6-3. UCLA and IPFW follow at approximately 4:30 p.m.

If the Cards win, they play for the regional title Sunday. If not, they face the winner of the UCLA vs. IPFW game about thirty minutes after the completion of that one. That winner will also advance to Sunday's finals...in the double elimination format.


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I had a great conversation wih IPFW Assistant Athletic Director for Media Services Bill Salyer before the Louisville game. He explained the choice of a mastodon as the school mascot. An important archaeological "dig" a few miles from the IPFW campus uncovered a great skeleton of a prehistoric mastodon and a baby mastodon as well...

It's a good thing they didn't find Jimmy Hoffa. The IPFW Hoffas just doesn't have the same ring, does it?

The mascot is called Don the Mastodon and Bill revealed to me that the Fort Wayne, Indiana school has an enrollment of about 14,000 students....mostly commuters. They have 16 sports teams on campus and play men's volleyball instead of football. About 50 IPFW softball fans were on hand to cheer on the Mastodons.

Best quip of the night in the press box also came courtesy of Bill when he deadpanned:

"I only go out drinking on two different occasions a year. When it's my birthday...and when it isn't."

He didn't reveal whether he's a potential candidate to replace Julie Hermann at Louisville or not...probably because I never asked if he was or not...but you gotta love the guy's spirit. They even do occasional radio broadcasts of IPFW softball. Are ya reading this, Mr. Jurich?

Jeff and I stand ready to handle the play-by-play and color commentary duties. We haven't decided just who would do which and it probably wouldn't matter...two babbling guys who are going to go off on random tangents and things unrelated to softball or sports would well be worth a listen.

Speaking of...we're on the radio this morning at 11. Crescent Hill Radio, along with outfield hooligan Jenny. We'll see just how far her taunts get here over the internet airwaves...

Join us, won't you? Either live or archived on the heavenly Soundcloud.  

LINK BELOW:

THREE REASONS TO ACCESS THE INTERNET


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I've gotten several inquiries from folks on whether anyone can beat  ORB today in the Preakness at Pimlico. My answer? Not unless they've cloned Secretariat and have entered "BIG RED II" in the race. Sonja is in full agreement.

Since ORB will probably go off as the odds-on favorite, there won't be a lot of money to be made there. We're going to try a Pick 4 earlier in the card that ends with the Preakness. Looking for some prices in the first three and a "single" with ORB in the final leg.

IF pressed for a possible upset special in the Preakness Stakes, I'll offer either GOLDENCENTS..who will force the early pace and probably try to wire the field, or ITSMYLUCKYDAY, a horse I absolutely loved when he was a 2 yr. old and has still got me waiting for that one huge triumph.

Sonja says that beating ORB is liking pitching a no-hitter against the Louisville softball team. Improbable, highly unlikely but not impossible. She loves OPTIMIZER in a earlier race on the card today in Maryland and will be backing that one fairly significantly.

Happy Preakness!

-Paulie

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Softball sweeps UConn in softball...Walz staying put.

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Softball slugs past UConn 3-2 and 8-0

-Lady Cards WBB at Spring Game

-Walz offered OSU job

-Lacrosse at UConn today

The University of Louisville softball squad swept the double header Saturday against UConn at Ulmer Stadium...winning the first game 3-2 in eight innings and needing just six innings to take the second game 8-0.


CARDS 3 - HUSKIES 2

Louisville's bats made a late appearance yesterday in the first game...kept silent and scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning. Trailing 2-0 at their final at bat, Louisville got a double from Jordy Trimble and scored on a single from Kayla Soles to draw within a run. Soles was lifted for pinch runner Katelyn Mann and she tied the contest on a wild pitch by UConn.

Caralisa Connell held the Huskies scoreless in the top of the eighth and Alicja Wolny singled in the home half of the inning to give the Cards the potential game-winning run on base. She won it for UofL when Taner Fowler singled.

"Carl" went all eight innings for the Red and Black, giving up two runs, six hits and striking out seven. She improves to 22-2 on the season.

CARDS 8 - HUSKIES 0

After a scoreless first inning, the Louisville softball team put up four runs in the bottom of the second. Whitney Arion began the attack with a double and scored when Trimble reached on a UConn fielding error. Taner Fowler got Trimble to the plate with a single and Jasmine Smithson-Willett cleared the bases with a double to make it 4-0

Louisville increased the lead to 6-0 in the third with doubles form Maggie Ruckenbrod, Trimble and Fowler.

The Cards ended the contest in the sixth...JSW pummelled her second homer of the year to left to give the Cards a seven-run advantage. After a Wolny walk, Chrisanna Roberts came in to run, advanced on a Ruckenbrod single and made it home on a wild pitch.

Rachel LeCoq pitched six innings of scoreless ball, allowing six hits.

The teams go again today at noon at Ulmer.

The top of the BIG EAST standings have four teams with just one loss each. USF is 12-1, DePaul 10-1, Louisville 9-1 and Notre Dame 8-1. After them, Georgetown follows at 6-5.

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The University of Louisville women's basketball team made an appearance at the Football Spring Game yesterday...signing items for a long, long line of fans prior to the game and then taking the field at halftime for recognition with the men's team.

Camera hogs? Yeah, you bet...as the Lady Cards mugged and postured for the PJCS camera while Sean Moth tried to interview a giggling and happy Bria Smith. It was also Sara Hammond's birthday and after interviewing the buoyant and smiling Hammond...Sean Moth led the 35,000 fans in attendance in a rousing version of Happy Birthday.

"Seeing the girls like that really makes you so happy and proud of them. All that they have accomplished and I think the best may be yet to come!" Tony Wilson told Paulie, as the proceedings took place.

Louisville is already being mentioned as one of the top four teams in next years' NCAA womens' basketball wars...along with UConn, Notre Dame and Stanford.

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When rumors started surfacing a week or so about Ohio State University being interested in Jeff Walz...including a $1 million dollar a year contract, a rumor ( from a VERY reliable source) let us know about a contact with Walz to ask about the alleged offer.

Walz said he knew nothing about 1 mil, but added that the amount sure would be nice. Didn't exactly confirm or deny the rumor. Just the dollar figure.

1 large would buy a lot of checkered, tablecloth style shirts. It would keep the man in Cool Ranch Doritios for a pretty long time. He could even work part-time at Geno's restaurant.

Ohio State apparently did make contact with the Louisville womens' basketball head coach but was turned down in their attempt to sway him away from Belknap Campus.

Terms of the offer have not been released and Walz has come out publicly with comments that he is staying at Louisville.

And, that makes sense. Ohio State is in the B1G Ten, a conference that is mid-level and the Buckeyes were a mid-level team in the 2012-13 season. Their 18-13 record got coach Jim Foster fired. A second round BIG 10 Tournament loss to Penn State probably was the deciding factor in the Buckeyes not getting an NCAA bid, despite the fact that 1st and 2nd round NCAA Womens' Tournament games were being played at their St. John's Arena.

Getting fired for going 18-13? Those are some hardcore folks up there in Columbus...

Why would Walz want to pull up anchor and leave the National Runners Up and a squad that has all but two players returning...plus several talented recruits.

Except for money. (Not Monny...)

The prevailing opinion is that more offers will be sent Jeff's way. And, Tom Jurich will simply open up the Cardinal financial vault and toss whatever it takes to keep Walz in place.

Trading Columbus's arena for the YUM!? Trading the rabid Louisville WBB fan base for the Buckeyes? The Cards will serve a 12 month sentence in the AAC before getting parole and leaving for the ACC. A conference that will be just as strong as the current BIG EAST, maybe stronger. Would Walz consider leaving all that to go to a place where they pack in 100,000 for football but barely 1000 for women's basketball?

Not gonna happen.

Maybe OSU could look 80 miles east of Louisville and throw cash at a certain Matthew Mitchell's doorstep. Wouldn't hurt our feelings one bit...

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Lacrosse swings into Storrs, Connecticut today to face the Huskies in a noon match. At 8-5, Louisville is having a resurgence under the auspices of a talented mix of freshmen and veteran players and Kellie Young's instructions.

Against UConn, they'll face one of those dreaded "east coast" schools that Jeff, Jenny and I talk about when it comes to lacrosse hot beds.

UConn has lost once in BIG EAST play...to Syracuse, who dispatched a 19-7 thumping on Louisville Friday. 

Maybe the Cards can deliver a second one today.

-Paulie

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Louisville WBB faces #1 Baylor in Sweet 16

-Softball romps Syracuse 9-0

-Happy Easter!

And, so...it had come down to this. The University of Louisville women's basketball team is in Oklahoma City. Their opponent in tonight's 7 p.m. game on ESPN2 is the #1 team in the tournament, the nation, in all of women's college basketball -- the Baylor Bears. Is it unfair that the Cardinals are faced with such a monumental task after two nice wins earlier in the tournament?

Not really. To be the best, you have to beat the best. Out of the sixteen teams that made it this far...there are no pushovers. Some fans have argued that an opponent like Penn State, Kansas or Nebraska might have made a more suitable and winnable game to prolong the UofL season. The bottom line is this:

Eventually, you're going to be tested by someone who have been a better team than you. Whether it be in the regional opener, regioal final, Final Four or National Title game...your "Goliath" will eventually stand in front of you.

Look at this #5 seed. Colorado. A team that bested Louisville earlier in the year (minus Sara Hammond). Their opening game against #12 Kansas looked to be a easy advancement. Guess what? The Buffs lost. Kansas advances.

Fifth seeded Michigan State in the Bridgeport Region skated by Marist before falling to #4 Maryland. Iowa State, another five seed knocked off Gonzaga before falling to four seed Georgia. Speaking of Georgia, Andy Landers' Bulldogs pulled off the shocker of the tournament so far by upsetting Stanford last night. A #4 over a #1. Louisville is the only #5 left. The UK WBB squad rolls into the Elite Eight by downing Delaware and Della Donne. UConn handled Maryland and #2 California is making Nikki Caldwell look like a genius by topping PSU.

When in comes to facing Baylor, Jeff Walz sees it this way:

"I've told our kids that if you come out and play scared, it's not going to matter. So we're going to try to come out and attack."

No fear of Griner, of Sims, of Madden. Pope or Mulkey. Who's afraid of the big, bad Bears? Hopefully, not UofL.

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If you showed up late to the Louisville softball game Saturday, you missed the fireworks. Not the sky-exploding, multi-colored missles...just the high-powered, fence rattling Louisville bats.

The Cards pounded Syracuse early. In the bottom of the first, Sandy Pearsall's crew laid a half dozen runs on 'Cuse pitcher Lindsay Taylor. Katie Keller singled to start the game. Jordan Trimble drew a walk. Maggie Ruckenbrod's single plated Keller. Taner Fowler cleared the bases of Cards with a three-run homer to left. Kayla Soles singled and came home on a Whitney Arion single. Jasmine Smithson-Willett (WOO! HOO!) singled and Keller, batting for the second time in the inning, singled again to score Arion. 6-0 Cards before the clock struck 12:30.

Louisville added two more in the home half of the second. After Alicja Wolny was plunked by Taylor, Fowler unleashed a bomb to left for her second base-cleaner and the score was 8-0.

The Cards tacked on one more in the third. JSW got her second single of the game, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Trimble single.

Meanwhile, Caralisa Connell was "good Carl" in the pitching circle. The Orange touched her for just one hit in five innings. She struck out six in going to 18-2 on the season.

"We had another great performance from Caralisa Connell and some timely defense and great catches out there. Chrisanna Roberts had a great diving catch in right field late in the game. Taner Fowler has truly found her rhythm again. She was struggling early in the season, but what better time than right now, as we're going into conference play, this is what we want to see from her." --Sandy Pearsall, UofL head softball coach.

The Cards (28-6, 2-1) step out of BIG EAST play to host arch-rival Kentucky on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium.
Let's fill the seats and pack the grassy knoll for this one, Cardinal fans!

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We wish a Happy Easter to all our CARDINAL COUPLE readers. Whether it's attending church services, holding an Easter Egg Hunt, sitting down to a scrumptious Easter dinner or just relaxing and enjoying time with family or friends...we hope it's a day of rest and reflection for you.

Don't get too stuffed and fall asleep early -- the men's basketball team plays at 5:00 p.m. against Duke and the ladies follow at 7:00 p.m. And after that, it's the season-ending episode of AMC's critically acclaimed The Walking Dead at 9 p.m.  Blue Devils, Bears, and Zombies...oh my!



--Paulie


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Saturday Cardinal Couple -- WBB faces Pitt, Softball splits in Vegas

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-WBB hosts Pitt today at 2 p.m.

-Softball splits in first day of Sportco Classic


(Quentin Voigt gives us the scout on today's opponent -- the Pittsburgh Panthers -- with some comments by Paulie. Also, softball defeats Texas Tech 10-6 but falls to UNLV 10-1 in Vegas.)

WE'RE DOIN' THE PANTHER WALK THIS WEEKEND!

This Saturday, Feb 9th...at 2 p.m., the Louisville Cardinal women's basketball team entertains BIG EAST foe Pittsburgh in the KFC YUM! Center. The Panthers are coached by Agnes Berenato, in her ninth year as the head Panther. She brings a young team into the YUM! that is made up of mostly  freshmen and sophomores. Add in a few juniors and no seniors for the 0-9, 9-13 BIG EAST Pennsylvania invader.

Junior Asia Logan, a 6'0" guard/forward leads Pitt with 15.3 ppg.  Along with 5'7" sophomore guard Brianna Kiesel, who averages 14.4 ppg, they've led Pitt in scoring 19 of their 22 games.

The smart money goes on the Cards today. Wouldn't surprise me to see a Louisville win by 20 or more.

-Quentin Voigt.

OK, these aren't sneaky Pink Panthers and their 0 for BIG EAST leads me to believe it just might be Peter Sellers' character Inspector Clouseau as the head coach instead of loveable, long-suffering Agnes...one of the nicest ladies you'll ever meet.

Indeed, what intrigues me the most about this team is someone who isn't playing for them...6'11" (yes, 6'11") freshman Marvadene "Bubbles" Anderson...who is red-shirting this season. The highly sought-after Rutgers Prep High School star landed at Pitt, her coach at RPHS the twin sister of Pitt assistant coach Patty Coyle. 

Pitt's been in a few games...losing narrowly at DePaul 57-55 and falling in a close one when Providence came to Steel City Wednesday and left with a 85-83 double overtime win. Non-conference wins aren't spectacular...with triumphs over William & Mary, Siena, Wagner, Brown, Longwood, Loyola (MD) Mt.St.Mary, Buffalo and ODU.

Louisville went to overtime against them last year before winning 71-66 at "the Pete", Walz is 5-2 against them and the Cards are 7-2 lifetime over the Panthers. The Panthers have never won in the YUM! or Freedom Hall.  

Louisville in a romp today. I hope Bubbles makes the trip. Never seen a 6'11" girl in person before.

-Paulie


( We'll be back with the recap later today.)

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Louisville softball split two games Friday on the opening day of the Sportco Classic in Las Vegas. The Cards overcame a 5-0 deficit to thump Texas Tech 10-6 in the opener but the bats disappeared in a 10-1 loss to host UNLV in the nightcap.

CARDS 10 - Texas Tech 6

Caralisa "Carl" Connell got rocked by the first seven batters she faced in the first inning of the game. That brought transfer Rachel LeCoq to the mound and she pitched the final seven innings allowing just two runs.

Down 5-0 in the bottom of the third, the Cards strung together four singles, two walks and a wild pitch to tie the game. In the bottom of the fourth, they brought out the heavy artillery...a two-run homer by Katie Keller and solo shot by Alicja Wolny put Louisville ahead to stay 8-5. UofL added two runs in the fifth, Keller's single scoring Jennifer Esteban and Keller reaching home on an error.

UNLV 10 - CARDS 1

Connell drew the starting assignment again in game two, but a two-out, three run homer had her behind after one inning. The Cards lone run came in the second when Jordy Trimble reached on an error and freshman Jasmine Smithson-Willett, who started both games in right-field, doubled her home.

The Cards had the bases loaded in the third with no outs, but a double play and ground out kept them from drawing any closer to the Runnin' Rebs.

Smithson-Willett treated rudely
in first collegiate pitching effort.

After four innings, and Vegas up 6-1, Pearsall turned the pitching assignment over to Smithson-Willett. The Rebs touched her for four straight runs and the game was ended after five innings.

Rough Friday for Connell. Rude introduction to DI pitching for Smithson-Willett. The Cards return to the diamond today for two more contests. They'll face BIG EAST foe DePaul in a non-conference game first and then UCF in the nightcap.

In the movie Caddyshack, the character Carl spent most of his time looking for an elusive gopher. On the Cardinal softball team, their Carl is searching for the form that got her to 19-1 last season.

Coach Pearsall mentioned that the Louisville pitching didn't show up Friday and when the bats fell silent in game two, it was a deadly combination. And, with 16 runs allowed in 12 innings of play...we'd have to agree that the Cardinal combination of Connell and Smithson-Willett was less than effective.

Sometimes, you go to Vegas and take a bath. Let's hope the Cards can start rolling sevens and elevens (on the scoreboard) and take two today. 
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Thursday Cardinal Couple - Jasmine, Angel and Asia

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Asia and Co. at it again


-Smithson-Willett ready to re-stock Cards pitching staff. 


-WNBA, Angel off and running


-Paulie encounters the "man".


The avant-garde film crew of Asia Taylor, Shoni Schimmel, Antonita Slaughter and Sherrone Vails have released another foray into the world of video journalism. Their latest effort takes them grocery shopping. 


Sonja would agree..lots of fiber. 


Click the link below to observe the trip:


Let's Go Krogering !

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Louisville softball is losing Tori Collins to graduation and the teaching profession. One of the incoming freshman stands ready make her claim for that spot in the pitching rotation for Sandy Pearsall. 


Meet Jasmine Smithson-Willett. 


The righty from Lake Elsinore, CA played for the Lakeside Lancers in high school and it took only one visit to Louisville to convince her that it was the place for her. 

"My first and only visit was to Louisville. They say when you know, you know. I knew. It was everything I could hope for in a college. The dorms, the facilities and the dream field. After my tours and getting to know the school, I knew I had found my new home. All the coaches and players made me feel welcome and that's when I decided I would not want to be anywhere else." 


Smithson complied a 15-10 record her senior year at Lakeside...with a 1.21 ERA, in 151.2 innings. She struck out 146 batters. Pitching isn't her only strong suit, though. She also batted .520 for the Lancers and led the team in hits (41), runs (31) RBI's (31) and home runs (9). 

The Lancers lost in the CIF playoffs in the first round 7-1...a off-day for Smithson on the mound...but it looks like Louisville is getting a good one in her. 


Sandy Pearsall had a lot of success with three pitchers available to her this season and it looks like that trend will continue for 2013. We've even heard that junior Jordan Trimble has a heck of an arm from inside the circle...so the Cards appear to be in good shape with Caralisa Connell and Chelsea Leonard returning. Leonard's knees have to be of some concern, obviously, but with a few months off and some healing and rehab...we're hoping she'll be effective again next spring. 


A great link on Jasmine below:


From Alaska to Lakeside


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The WNBA is off and running and Louisville's Angel McCoughtry had 26 points in the Atlanta Dream's 92-84 loss to the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis Saturday night. 


The Dream return five players from last year's roster besides Angel. Erika de Souza, Lindsey Harding, Sancho Lyttle, Courtney Paris and Armintie Price are back. Atlanta picked up Tiffany Hayes and Aneika Henry in the WNBA draft and added Laurie Koehn, Cathrine Kraayeveld, Yelena Leuchanka and Ketia Swanier in the off-season. 


Atlanta hosts the New York Liberty next, on Friday night and had six of their next eight games at home. 


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"Get out of the car, sir and put your hands on the hood"

Not a great way to spend a Wednesday afternoon. 


But, I complied. Never knew that playing Tommy by The Who could get you in trouble. But, there I was, being search and going through a subsequent vehicle search as a suspect in an attempted food mart robbery.  

When the lights came on behind me, I pulled over. Knew I wasn't speeding (Roger Daltry could attest to that) and hadn't been crossing the yellow line. 


A few nervous minutes later, all was revealed to me. Suspect leaving a botched hold-up attempt was seen departing in a silver sedan. 


Yep, not many of them out there...that's for sure. I probably drive the only one.  


The officer and I chatted by the side of the road. We discussed where I'd been, who I work for and why I was a white male with facial hair. We didn't get around to the Lady Cards, global warming or why the Bulls faltered in the NBA playoffs. These things I had a definite opinion on. 


Case of mistaken identity. Released with a apology and handshake. Would have rather had a burger and milkshake. Drove off a little shaken and relieved.


I doubt they would have allowed me to take my lap-top to county lockup. And, two straight days of Watson on Cardinal Couple would consist of severe punishment for our dear readers. 


Just another tricky day. Right, Roger?


Just Another Tricky Day


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