Softball downs Bellarmine -- Awards for Robinson, Van Lith and Otis --ACC Tourney Begins Today ! -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

A busy Tuesday and a busy Wednesday coming up for UofL and ACC women's sports. Let's jump right in to it ! 

SOFTBALL SINKS KNIGHTS 13-0

It was opening day for the Louisville Softball home schedule for 2023 and the Cards got things off in fine fashion by run-ruling the Bellarmine Knights 13-0 on a beautiful day out at Ulmer. 

Louisville wasted no time in unleashing the bats, with a seven-run bottom of the first inning. Sarah Gordon's double to right-center scored pinch runner (for Taylor Roby) Mia Forsythe and Daisy Hess. Ally Alexander's single brought Gordon home, and the Cards continued to play "small ball" when Paige Geraghty's single to the Bellarmine pitcher scored Elena Ornelas. Korbe Otis sacrificed home Vanessa Miller to make it 5-0  Geraghty scored on a wild pitch and so did Alexander to complete the scoring in the impressive bottom of the first, 

Geraghty picked up two more RBI's in the second when her single to center scored Vanessa Miller and Roby. The third inning brought two more Louisville runners across the plate when Korbe Otis slammed a two-RBI home rum to left that scored Hess and her. It was 11-0 after three and Bellarmine had to be wondering when the onslaught would stop. The Knights were facing Cassie Grizzard inside the circle and had but two singles to show for their efforts. 

Louisville plated their final two runs in the bottom of the fourth when Alexander and Pickle Winkler singled and came home on a Geraghty triple to right. Geraghty had five RBI's on the day. 

Grizzard allowed three hits from the circle and had four strikeouts and no walks in picking up her first win as a Cardinals pitcher. 

Louisville has unleashed the bats in the last four game with 40 runs and the Cards are on a five-game win streak. They return to action Friday at 2 p.m. -- hosting Northwestern at Ulmer Stadium. 

THEY SAID IT:

CASSIE GRIZZARD POST GAME

PAIGE GERAGHTY POST GAME

CARDINALS BEING RECOGNIZED

All-ACC honors for Hailey Van Lith and Kasa Robinson. It's Hailey's second year on the All-ACC First Team and Kasa's third year on the ACC-All Defensive team. 

Van Lith leads the Cards in scoring with 19.4 ppg and Kasa leads the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.4.

In addition, Hailey has been named as a finalist for the Drysdale Award. The award honors the nation's best shooting guard and Hailey is one of five finalists, along with Keishana Washington (Drexel), Ta'Niya Latson (FSU), Diamond Miller (Maryland) and Zia Cooke (South Carolina).

Moving to softball, Korbe Otis was named the ACC Softball Player of the Week last week. She batted .615 with three doubles and a home run last week. She's off to a good start this week with a two-RBI homer against Bellarmine, also. Otis is a sophomore from Littleton, Colorado. 

 ACC WBB TOURNAMENT STARTS TODAY

It's ACC WBB Tournament time in Greensboro ! The action starts today at 1 p.m. when #12 seed Wake Forest faces #13 seed Virginia. #10 seed Clemson plays #15 Pitt  at 3:30 p.m. and #11 seed Boston College and #14 seed Georgia Tech conclude the first day action at 6:30 p.m.

The games today will be shown on the ACC Network and through Saturday. Sunday they switch to ESPN. You can follow Cardinal Couple on Twitter for updates and news all five days, as we will have multiple sources here reporting and covering the games. 

CARDINAL COUPLE ACC WBB TOURNAMENT PICK 'EM

You've got until 1 p.m. today (Jared prefers noon...FYI) to get your picks in for the Cardinal Couple ACC Tournament Pick 'EM.  Get the most right out of the 14 games and win a $25 gift card to Cracker Barrel. Second place gets a $15 card to Taco Bell !! 

Impress your neighbors. Baffle your co-workers and drive that little old lady down the street who always spies on you through almost closed curtains crazy with wonderment. All ya gotta do is submit your entry in the comments section and it don't cost anything !! We asked your parish priest and he said go ahead and participate !  You could be a winner !!! 

Make sure and also submit a total final points scored for the championship game, in case of ties. I like festive ties, how about you? 

We had 17 entries as of 8:30 p.m.Tuesday. Keep 'em coming !!!

Any and all questions can be sent to Jared via e-mail to Jared at  eupherjared@gmail.com or Paulie at cardinalcouple@twc.com . Or just stand outside Daryl's house and shout out your question. She won't mind (and probably won't answer). 

THE CARDINAL CHIMPS HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR BRACKET PICKS AS AN EXAMPLE:

Day One Winners:  Virginia, Clemson, Georgia Tech

Day Two Winners:  FSU, Syracuse, Clemson, Georgia Tech

Day Three Winners:  Louisville, Syracuse, Clemson, Georgia Tech

Day Four Winners:  Louisville, Georgia Tech

Champ:  GEORGIA TECH   

Points:  138

paulie

Walz, Van Lith, Robinson and Cochran at ACC WBB Tipoff Media Day -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 

CARDS WBB IN CHARLOTTE

Head coach Jeff Walz and Cardinals WBB student-athletes Hailey Van Lith, Kasa Robinson and Olivia Cochran represented Louisville at the ACC WBB Tipoff Media in Charlotte on Tuesday. The players and Coach Walz were asked a variety of questions in two separate groups (the players in one and Walz in another) by ACC play-by-play and color analysts Debbie Antonelli, Kelsey Riggs, and Kelly Gramlich. 

THE PLAYERS

The players went first and hit the make-shift interview table in the Charlotte Westin Hotel at about 8:45 on the ACC Network. These things don't always go as planned, I tuned in to see Clemson at 8 a.m. but Amanda Butler and Amari Robonson weren't on. 

The Cards were there, though and the players were asked about how the team looked so far in the pre-season. They mentioned the intensity of practices, the great athleticism of the squad and learning to use the talent on the current roster that is them for 2022-23. . 

And, it is a group that has talent galore. Besides the three in Charlotte, Louisville has Norika Konno, Liz Dizon, Payton Verhulst and Merissah Russell back from last year's squad. They also have key transfers in Chrislyn Carr (C.C.), Josie Williams and Morgan Jones. Louisville also has five freshmen on the roster in Nyla Harris, Zyanna Walker, Jalyn Brown, Imani Lester and Alexis Mobley (who is a redshirt freshman). 

They mentioned one of the key challenges for this year's squad, which is being able to adapt to the standard that has been established.  

The new players on the Cards roster are working hard and fitting in with the returnees from last year. When asked about Morgan Jones, they indicated that she brings a different look and athleticism to the squad. They also talked about the indescribable and incredible fan support in Louisville and on campus for the women's basketball squad and the responsibilities of living up to that respect and love. 

They were also asked about Jeff Walz. They mentioned the love that Walz has for the players on and off the court. That he was very, very good at what he does and how he does it  and this great line from Cochran --- "he told me he is the smartest man in the world, and I believe him ."

The three are a very confident bunch and desperately want to get back to the Final Four again this season and win two more games than they did last year, once they get there. 

WALZ

Coach came on around noon and right off the bat, he was asked what it would take to get to the final four again. he mentioned the leadership, experience and skills of the returning players who went last year and also commented that you need a little luck as well. 

And, of course, he's right. A made shot here, key rebound there, clutch defensive effort in a tough situation...shutting down an opponent's key player and getting a huge effort from your key players...so many things can go into getting to the Final Four. 

When asked who would replace Emily Engstler, he mentioned that you don't actually replace her, that you have players step up and play their game. He sees his squad as one that has a lot of great players and a key is in seeing how they carry their off-season work into the regular season. 

Like many on the broadcast before and after him, he sees five or six teams that could win the conference this season. Louisville, NC State, Va. Tech, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and even Miami. are all teams that are considered key contenders. It's a wide open ACC this year. 

(From Media Days past) 

Another thing he stated that was a key to a successful season was having the toughness and ability to change during a game to what works in matchups and style of play. 

He spoke of Kasa's experience and her desire to win. She's a players that produces so many things besides scoring on the court and she's the first one to step up and play that solid defense that is a key to winning.  He also spoke about some of the things he expects Morgan Jones to contribute, such as scoring, defending, rebounding and toughness. 

He sees Hailey as an incredibly hard worker, but is proud that she's also learning how to work smarter and not always harder. 

Earlier in the day, Walz had some interesting things to say about the transfer portal:

"I've said it for the past few years, and I'll say it again: I think the transfer portal it's all hyped up right now and it's going to be probably for another year because of COVID. We're sitting here, we've had five transfers in the past two seasons. Four of them would have never been able to transfer if it wasn't for the COVID year. Four of them played all four years at their institution. They graduated. They did exactly what they were asked to do. But because of COVID, they were given a free year. There's one more season of a free year, I believe, for players, the seniors that are currently now could move on and play. Kasa finished her four years, did everything I asked her. After last year, we sat down. I said, hey, if you want to transfer, if you want to use this COVID year to go someplace else to experience something, I'll support you a hundred percent, because she did everything I asked her to do".

All in all, a good showing for the Cards in their segments.  Debbie Antonelli sid the Cards are the favorite to win the regular ACC season and, rather begrudgingly, Kelsey Gramlich agreed.  

The season draws closer, and we can't wait to bring you the coverage. 

paulie

SUPER SENIORS -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Good morning all!

Daryl stepping in for Jared this Tuesday.   He wasn't feeling great and I happen to be off this evening with a few thoughts on my mind from the day as I drove back home from UofL Golf Club from the 2022 Press Box Golf Scramble.  I mentioned on the show and here before that this is the event that got me into golf.  It was my 4th time in the event and I am glad to be still a part of it.  There were some familiar faces out there, but definitely not enough women actually playing.  Volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly was out there! I think 4 women played total.   The event did include a slight rain delay, with about 10 minutes of solid downpour. 

Excellent drainage system at the course, however, and that green was clear in 5 minutes after the storm.  But it did make for some muddy walks as we were cart path only! 

SUMMER SPORTS THOUGHTS

For today's summer subject, I wanted to do a broad stroke shout-out to a senior from each squad that I think has established their leadership role for the upcoming seasons and could kick their respective teams into the next gear for the 2022/23 year. 

WSOC

Maisie Whitsett (San Diego, California) - With the most minutes played and game appearances/starts for UofL in the 2021 season, the 5-9 Midfielder/forward is about to begin her fifth season with the Cardinals.  She connected on 2 goals of her own last year and assisted in 2 others for 6 points, 5th on the team in offensive production. 

VBALL

Aiko Jones (Kingston, Jamaica) - The 6-2 opposite and second leading scorer returning will see her fourth season begin with the Cards in a couple weeks.  Jones will pick up where she left off in 2021 with some of the blocking responsibilities and leading the team with 39 aces. 

LAX

Nicole Perroni (Whitby, Ontario) - The midfielder will be the leading scorer to return for the Cards from the 2021 season.  She played in all 18 games with 17 starts and finished the season with 50 goals, seven assists, 57 points, 64 draw controls, 34 ground balls and 28 caused turnovers. 

WBB

Mykasa Robinson (Ashland, Kentucky) - The defensive specialist will be the glue to help hold the rest of the squad together in almost any situation.  Averaging 3 points and 3 rebounds in the 2021 season, its well-known Mykasa is not a stat-sheet filler.. but she gets the w's in the Win column for UofL.  

FH

Mattie Tabor (Louisville, Kentucky) - The 5-8 forward is tied for third on the team with six goals in 2021.  Five of her goals were game-winners, standing second in the ACC in that category.   

SOFTBALL

Taylor Roby (Mount Washington, Kentucky) - The team's homerun leader with 15 in the 2022 season announced her return to the diamond for the Cards using her fifth year option.   Roby is the leader in RBIs returning for the team and lead the work in the circle with a 15-11 win-loss record and handled most of the pitching duties for the Cards. 

Happy Birthday Dana Evans!

The Chicago guard, Gary, IN native is celebrating her 24th birthday on 8/1/2022

Have a great Tuesday!

~Daryl 

Cats blank Louisville Softball -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

UK 9 -- LOUISVILLE 0 

Tuesday night was a beautiful night -- weather wise -- out at Ulmer Stadium. 

The result of the contest wasn't so great for the Cards, though. They ran into a buzz-saw in UK pitcher Stephanie Schoonover in the circle, and #8/12 UK got a five-inning win over the Cards 9-0. She held UofL hitless in the five innings. 

The Cats were "on" with their bats from the jump, touching UofL staring pitcher Taylor Roby for five runs and two home runs in the top of the first inning. UK stayed hot at the plate in the visitor half of the second inning and the book was closed on Roby after two innings and a 7-0 Wildcat lead. 

Freshman Sam Booe was given the assignment to try and shut the Cats down next and she did a little better, allowing just two runs over the next three innings on three hits, but it was a night where the Cards could not generate any offense and they fell to UK -- generating just two base-runners...Carmyn Greenwood and Vanessa each drawing a base on balls. 

Tough to watch for the 90 minutes the two squads were on the field, if you're a Louisville fan. The Cards also had two fielding errors in front of a Ulmer Stadium crowd of 1,130 and those who caught the ACCNX stream on it. 

Time to tear off the rear view mirror on that one and not look back. ACC foe Syracuse comes in for a three-game weekend series and Louisville (21-17) will look to move up the ACC standings from eighth place against the 11th place Orange. The top ten teams qualify for the ACC Tournament, so Louisville needs to try and get a sweep here to move closer to seventh place Georgia Tech, who is 8-10 in conference play.  Louisville is 5-7. 

(photos by Jared Anderson)

FIVE WBB CARDS NAMED TO ALL ACC ACADEMIC TEAM

They not only get it done on the hardwood, but also in the classroom, these Louisville women's basketball players. 

Emily Engstler, Chelsie Hall, Kianna Smith, Haley Van Lith and Kasa Robinson have been named to the prestigious All-ACC Academic Team. 

To make this team, a student-athlete needs to earn a 3.0 for the previous semester and have a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA during one's academic career. 

It is the second straight season all five have earned the award. 

This past fall, the Cards WBB squad had an collective 3.326 GPA. That's hitting the books hard, in addition to making the Final Four. 

I used to brag that I reached a 4.0 in my college years...I'd add the 2.0 GPA I'd get in the fall to the 2.0 GPA I'd get in the spring semester and -- voila! -- a 4.0 !!

Congratulations to Hailey, Kianna, Kasa, Emily, Chelsie and all the hard-working athletes on the Louisville campus. Making the grade -- on the field of competition and in the classroom 

paulie