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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Friday Cardinal Couple -- Softball starts vs. LSU...Becker receives award...Haas does too!

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- Softball vs LSU Friday in NCAA 1st round

- Maryssa Becker named to All-Central Region team

- Golf's Emily Haas an Academic All-District selection


-  Shoni TV...Atlanta's first game on Fox Sports South

UofL fans may face a dilemma Friday night when trying to choose between watching Softball's first game in the NCAA Tournament or Shoni Schimmel's first regular season game in the WNBA.

Softball's contest against LSU will be shown on ESPN at 8:30 8:00pm EDT. 

Shoni's debut in the WNBA starts at 7:30 on Fox Sports South.

Hopefully, the remote control doesn't die tonight or I can find a sports bar that will show both.

Never fear, we'll recap both events here at CARDINAL COUPLE in the Saturday edition and discuss them on our weekly radio show @ Crescent Hill Radio.

http://www.crescenthillradio.com .

We air at 11 a.m. on Saturday and archived broadcasts are available by clicking the link at the top of the page.

CARDS VS LSU

The Bayou Bengal softball team comes out of the SEC and complied a 35-22 record this season. They went 13-11 in conference, 19-11 at home, 11-9 as visitors and 5-2 at neutral sites.

Their SEC Conference Championship Tournament run was stopped by UK by a score of 4-3. It was the only appearance they had against the Cats during the season and UK won in extra innings.

The heavy hitters for Louisiana State University are AJ Andrews (.339) and Savannah Jaquish ( .335, 13 HR, 48 RBI's)

In the circle, the main two pitchers are Baylee Corbello ( 17-8,  ERA 2.55) and Ashley Czechner ( 13-12, ERA 3.45)

The Cards could go with either Rachel Le Coq or Maryssa Becker in the circle to quell the LSU bats. LeCoq has had a great last few games and her arm shut down UCF and USF in the AAC Tournament. Becker has been the ace of the staff most of the season. Coach Sandy Pearsall could use both or turn to Caralisa Connell to deliver the strikes.

It's a double elimination format in regional play...so Louisville could face either Arizona or Boston U. after this one.

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Becker was named yesterday to the NCFA All-Central Region second team as a pitcher/utility player. She's the first UofL freshman to get this honor since 2000 when Keola Calderon was named to the All-South Region second team.

Becker's stats have been impressive. A 2.08 ERA and 137 strikeouts. At the plate, Becker hit .312 with 25 RBI's and scored 22 runs.

All the honorees are eligible for selection to one of three NFCA Division I All-America teams...which will be announced on Wednesday, May 28th.


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Sophomore Emily Haas was named to the Capitol One Academic, All-District II First team. It's the second straight year she's garnered this award.

Haas has a 3.98 grade point average and plans on majoring in Biology. ( Shame on the professor who gave her a "B". )

Shankapotumus you are, teacher!

Haas was second on the team in stroke average with a 73.3 average and her ten-foot birdie putt in the AAC Conference Tournament on the 18th. hole in the third day of competition gave the Cards the championship.


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Photo by Charlie Springer -- UofL Card Game

Yes, A-Tayy is on the Minnesota Lynx squad and Shoni is a member of the Atlanta Dream! They both play tonight...Minnesota at 7 p.m. and Atlanta at 7:30. It is the first time that two UofL first year players have made an WNBA roster in the same season and we wish #23 and #31 the best!

We'll recap their games tomorrow...here at the site and on the air. (We'll throw in Angel's stats, too. She's a pretty good player too, you know.)

Who will score the most points? I'll go with Angel...

paulie

Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Lacrosse, Softball advance in Tournaments

RADIO TODAY @ 11 AM
http://www.crescenthillradio.com

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- Boltja gets game winner in double O.T. for Lax

- LeCoq, Keller lead Softball past Bulls 8-0

- Women's golf slips to 17th. after Day 2

It was a thriller in Evanston last night and Nikki Boltja came through in the clutch.

The senior scored on a free position shot with 4:37 left in the sudden-death second overtime to give the LAX Cards a 11-10 win over Ohio State in NCAA first round action. After Kaylin Morissette won the draw control to start the sudden death period, the Cards moved into OSU territory and Boltja was fouled...setting up the game winner.

It looked like Louisville had it won in the first (not sudden-death) extra session. With 1:13 remaining, Cortnee Daley was fouled and made her free position shot to give Louisville a 10-9 lead. Louisville controlled the draw, but a turnover with 36 seconds left got the ball back in OSU's possession and the Buckeyes came down field to score with 8 seconds remaining to force the second overtime.

Boltja had four goals for the Cards in the win. Faye Brust and Cortnee Daley added two each for UofL.

The Cards scored early in the contest...winning the opening draw and Boltja dashing to the goal to put one past OSU's goalie Tori DeScenza less than a minute into the contest. 

The Cards will face Northwestern Sunday at 2 p.m. in round 2 action.

#	Prd	Time	Team	Type	Assists	H-V
1.	1st	29:13	LOU	Boltja, Nikki (68)	Unassisted	0-1
2.		27:35	OSU	Dabrowski, Cian	Unassisted	1-1
3.		24:32	LOU	Patterson, Laura (7)	Boltja, Nikki (25)	1-2
4.		18:53	OSU	Chase, Katie	Free position shot	2-2
5.		17:17	OSU	Dabrowski, Cian	Unassisted	3-2
6.		11:40	LOU	O'Malley, Colleen (12)	Boltja, Nikki (26)	3-3
7.		11:11	LOU	Brust, Faye (68)	Unassisted	3-4
8.		10:50	OSU	Fee, Morgan (2)	Unassisted	4-4
9.		9:54	OSU	Ayers, Kelsea	Dabrowski, Cian	5-4
10.		9:09	OSU	Facchina, Mary Kate	Free position shot	6-4
11.		8:27	LOU	Corbett, Carissa (7)	Boltja, Nikki (27)	6-5
12.	2nd	21:01	OSU	Ayers, Kelsea	Unassisted	7-5
13.		17:59	LOU	Daley, Cortnee (38)	Free position shot	7-6
14.		17:23	LOU	Brust, Faye (69)	Unassisted	7-7
15.		15:10	OSU	Porretto, Jennifer	Free position shot	8-7
16.		14:51	LOU	Boltja, Nikki (69)	Unassisted	8-8
17.		13:10	OSU	Porretto, Jennifer	Unassisted	9-8
18.		5:54	LOU	Boltja, Nikki (70)	Free position shot	9-9
19.	OT	1:13	LOU	Daley, Cortnee (39)	Free position shot	9-10
20.		0:08	OSU	Chase, Katie	Unassisted	10-10
21.	OT2	4:37	LOU	Boltja, Nikki (71)	Free position shot	10-11

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Cardinal Softball slammed their way past USF in the semifinals of the AAC Tournament in six innings 8-0.

A grand slam home run by Katie Keller was the big blow that sent USF starter Sara Nevins to the bench and gave Louisville a 5-0 lead in the second inning.

The Cards added a run in the fourth when Brittany Duncan singled in Kelsi Jones. Duncan accounted for the final two RBI's in the sixth when she sent a towering shot over both centerfield fences with Katie Keller on to push the margin to eight.

Rachel LeCoq, despite a rocky start, pitched her way out of a first-inning, two on and one out jam and ended up going the distance....allowing just five hits in six innings.

They got the game in just in time. Rains hit Houston and forced the postponement of the UCF-Rutgers game until 4 p.m. today. The title match goes Sunday at noon.

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Cardinal women's golf fired a 301 in the second day of the NCAA East Regionals but slipped to 17th place in Tallahassee.

Leading the way yesterday for the Chip and Putt Cards was Laura Restrepo with a 74. Tara Lyons carded a 75, Katie Petrino checked in at 76 along with Emily Haas. Shannon Gramley finished the 18 with a 83.

The Cards have a 596 total for two days...30 strokes back of leader Vanderbilt.

paulie

Monday Cardinal Couple --- Softball completes the sweep...Cards 11 - Owls 3

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Cards improve to 12-6 in AAC with Temple win

- Vote for Katie!

The Louisville Softball team has found their bats and used them to bombard the Owls again Sunday. Spotting the Owls an early 3-0 advanage...Louisville proceeded to score the final 11 runs of the contest and sweeps the series on Senior Day at Ulmer Stadium.

The fans said an official goodbye to Taner Fowler, Hannah Kiyohara, Caralisa Connell, Katie Keller, Maggie Ruckenbrod and Rachel LeCoq yesterday (they actually will have one more home game Wednesday when they host UK) and then proceeded to say goodbye to several softballs and Owl pitchers.

After a three run homer in the top of the first put the Cards and Caralisa Connell behind, UofL wasted no time in putting some numbers on the left field scoreboard. The Cards got one back in the bottom of the first when Kelsi Jones doubled and scored on a Brittany Duncan sac fly.

The fourth inning proved to be fruitful for the Cards offense...five runs on five hits...and Louisville led 6-3.

Maryssa Becker went fence with Brittany Duncan onboard in the fifth to increase the lead to five at 8-3. By then, Caralisa had given away to Becker in the circle.

The Cards ended it in the sixth when Jones led off the inning with her team-best ninth home run of the season. Four singles from Jordan McNary, Kristina Dillard, Autumn McDuffie and Taner Fowler produced the final two runs to stop the game at 11-3.

Cats Wednesday. This one will cost you $5 to watch inside Ulmer, but free seating will be available on the outfield berm.

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Vote for Katie Keller! The senior and nine other softball players are in competition for college Player of the Year. You can vote once a day and Katie could use your help for the Senior Class Award title.

Link below:

VOTE FOR KATIE EVERY DAY!

( UNFORTUNATELY, YOU'LL NEED TO COPY AND PASTE THE LINK WHEN YOU GET OVER THERE . I VOTED OFF THE LINK ABOVE EARLIER AND IT WOULDN'T LET ME VOTE AGAIN WHEN I WENT BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER TO TEST IT)

Katie Keller

School

Louisville

Position

Second Base

Major

Communications

 

Classroom

Katie Keller currently carries a 3.118 overall GPA and has had solid performances in the classroom throughout her career. The communications major has been named to the Athletic Director’s honor roll (3.0 or higher for the semester)three times and was a member of the Dean’s List. Following her junior season, when she earned All-America honor on the field, she was also selected to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team.

Character

Katie Keller is a leader both on and off the field. As a freshman, she stepped into a starting role at second base and gained the respect of her teammates and coaches with her communication skills. Her work ethic has never been called into question. She is dedicated and determined to improve herself and her teammates. Over the years, she has grown into a leader off the field as well, giving encouragement to teammates. Katie is always able to lighten up a tense moment with her sense of humor, but knows when to be serious. She is an intense competitor and a great teammate. We are fortunate to have Katie as a member of our team.

Community

Katie Keller has dedicated community service hours to several organizations including: Dreams with Wings, the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, the Humane Society, and the Hunger Walk. She has donated her time to help carve pumpkins with special needs children and assisted with a dance for people with disabilities who are residents of the Douglas Community Center in Louisville. Keller has also spent hours working with the Fit4Me program, in which UofL female athletes work with middle-school girls to improve their nutrition and fitness and encourage healthy habits,

Competition

Katie Kopeeller was recently named to the Top 50 Watch List for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. She earned NFCA All-America second team honors in 2013 after registering a .402 batting average and 54 RBIs and belting out a team-best 12 home runs. She was also named to the All-Great Lakes Region and All-BIG EAST first teams as a junior. In 2013, Keller was one of the Top 25 Finalists for the 2013 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

The three-year starter and three-time All-BIG EAST selection became the first player in program history to sweep Louisville Slugger/NFCA and USA Softball National Player of the Week honors on March 5, 2013. She is also two-time All-Great Lakes Region selection. She has an innate knowledge of the game and performs well under pressure.

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Our latest broadcast on the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour is now available on the SoundCloud. Several of you have e-mailed me about not being able to find the archived broadcasts. I hope the link below helps:

CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO 04-26-14

Let us know...

WE will be out of the studio Derby Day...and back live again on 5/10/14.

We have (5) different Lacrosse interviews to hear on the 4/26/14 broadcast...two with Coach Kellie Young, two with Faye Brust and one with Kay Morissette. 

paulie

Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Softball Cards fly past Owls 14-6 and 5-0

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Cards improve to 11-6 in AAC with sweep

-  Downs After Dark 


Softball the way we're used to it at Ulmer Saturday. Louisville unleashed the bats against the Owls and Carl
found her groove again in the sweep against Temple.

Cards 14 - Temple 6  (five innings)

Louisville put together 14 runs and 13 hits in the opener...three from Taner Fowler in the drubbing of Temple. After a scoreless first inning, Louisville went to work in the second frame...a two RBI single from Kelsi Jones and two run double by Fowler doing the major damage.

Maybe just as impressive...Brittany Duncan scoring from first on a Kayla Soles two RBI double. Make it 6-0 Cards after two. Call her "wheels"?

After Temple went fence on Rachel LeCoq in the third, Fowler returned the favor...pounding one over the left field fence and doing irreparable harm to the maple tree on the berm. Louisville added two more runs to make it 9-1 after three.

Temple countered with three runs off of LeCoq and Tierra Sanabria in the fourth to make it a five run Cardinal lead...but Louisville responded with four runs...on four singles to give Temple a 13-4 deficit to overcome. The Owls did score twice in the top of the fifth...forcing Louisville to bat in the bottom of the inning...but walks to Soles and Maryssa Becker and a double from Fowler ended the game.

LOUISVILLE 5 - TEMPLE 0

Good Carl is back.

The nightcap belonged to Caralisa Connell. 12 strikeouts and just two hits allowed gave the senior her eighth win of the year.  We got to see the pitcher that we knew from last year and 2012...mowing down batters like a weed-eater attacks clumps of grass.

And, in a rarity for the second game of a UofL double-header, the bats backed her up.

The Cards scored three in the second inning...singles from Soles, Fowler, Maggie Ruckenbrod and Hannah Kiyohara doing the damage and added two in the third inning. Becker's double off the centerfield fence drove in Whitney Arion and Keller to give Connell a five run lead to work with. 

Tomorrow is Senior Day and the Cards will honor Fowler, Keller, Kiyohara, LeCoq, Connell and Ruckenbrod. They've won 170 games as Cardinals, played in two conference title games and played in three NCAA Tournaments.

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I've posted the second of my articles about Derby Week over at paulsykes.com

This one isn't roses and champagne toasts. Yeah, I'm a little edgy about the $hur$hill Down$ gouging.

This piece probably won't endear me to John Asher or Darrin Rogers, the communciations brain-trust on Central Avenue.

The new projection screen, though...is totally awesome.

LINK:

DERBY TRIAL AND DOLLARS AFTER DARK

paulie

Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Huskies get Geno his ninth...Wild Finish in Softball

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- UConn 79 - Notre Dame 58 in NCAA WBB Final

- Softball goes to extra innings in 4-3 win

- Cardinal Couple Pick 'Em final totals

Geno Auriemma passed Tennessee Pat in career NCAA WBB titles by picking up his ninth last night in UConn's domination over Notre Dame in the NCAA WBB Championship game in Nashville, TN. At least it'll bring an end to that song that Connie Briton keeps singing about the 'only way she knows'

Mute button creator, I salute you.

Oh, to have the powerful duo of Stewie and Stefanie in your paint.

And that's what this one was about. Just like 39 opponents before them, Notre Dame had no answer when it came to shutting down the UConn paint-dwellers. Breanna Stewart had 21 points and Stefanie Dolson added 17 for the Huskies.

Hey, maybe they can buy those surplus 40-0 t-shirts that UK had printed early in the season...

Chris Dailey smacks herself in the
forehead. I have no idea why...

Yes, UND missed Natalie Achonwa. Yes, they made a brief first half rally to keep it interesting for awhile. UConn led 45-38 at the half, though and outscored the Irish 18-4 to start the final twenty minutes. Stewie and Stef had 10 of those. It was time to toss water on the campfire, call in the dogs and head it back in to the city.

Geno was quite emotional after the win, breaking down in his post game interview with our favorite ESPN sideline reporter...Hustlin' Holly...who wears blue in the KFC YUM! Center and sprints in high heels.

He had reason to be. He had the best "4" and "5" ...by far... in women's college basketball this season. Maybe of all time. Stef goes on to the WNBA or whaever the Stef Dolson's of the world do after graduation and Geno gets Stewie back to team up with Morgan Tuck, Kiah Stokes or one particular fabulous, fearless #1 ranked high school All-American/soon-to-be college freshman who hasn't declared yet...but is 6'5", from South Carolina and named after my favorite Steely Dan CD.

Louisville, Stanford, Notre Dame...all gave it their best shot. The truth is...BYU probably gave the Irish their biggest scare of the season. Connecticut can now claim to be the reigning king and championship center of college basketball.

Wait till next year. With a healthy Shawnta and Sherrone... plus returning Sara, "E" and Cortnee...the UofL paint game will be formidible.

Could this six-pack (if you toss Myshia Hines-Allen in there) be UConn formidible? Nah, probably not...but still powerful.


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A wild finish to Louisville softball last night at Ulmer...the Cards going eight innings to knock off Evansville 4-3.

Louisville won a game without Maryssa Becker pitching.

Impressive.

It was Rachel LeCoq on the mound for 7.2 innings to get the win. She was cruising along with a shutout going into the top of the seventh and had a three-run cushion to work with. The UofL scoring started with Katie Keller doubling and scoring in the third inning and Taner Fowler producing a two-RBI single in the sixth.

Evansville wasn't ready to get on the bus and travel 1-64 West just yet, though.

With two outs in the inning and a runner on, the Purple Aces got a single and two doubles to tie the game. Exit LeCoq and enter Caralisa Connell...who got the third out.

This is NOT Paige Alford running around the bases...
just in case you had any doubts.

They do extra innings in women's softball with scoring runs the main objective. The first batter of an inning automatically goes to second base. Evansville couldn't get theirs to the plate...Rachel LeCoq back on the mound for the Cards. Louisville stuck speed merchant Paige Alford on the middle bag to start the bottom of the eighth inning, Tierra Sanabria went to the plate...watched Alford advance to third on a wild pitch...and then poked the game-winning hit to left field.

Louisville goes to 24-15 with the win and has won their last four in a row. They stay in Ulmer for the weekend and host the UConn Huskies (no, not Stewie and her bunch) for a three-game, American Athletic Conference showdown beginning Saturday, April 12th. at noon.

Hopefully the Cards will tap into the energy of Thunder Over Louisville...which will occur later Saturday night...and play 'powerball' against the UConn hurlers. The weather looks great for the weekend, why not head out to the ol' ballpark after listening to Cardinal Couple Radio Hour at 11 a.m. Saturday and before trekking down to the Ohio River.

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With the final game played last night, we have a winner in the Cardinal Couple Pick 'Em Contest and congratulations to ...me.

I ended at 49-14...barely surviving the ending charge from several worthy opponents. Tying for second was the real Joe Hill from Naples, FLA and New Albany juggernaunt Curtis Franklin at 48-15. A two-way tie for third...the mysterious Charlyse and our Lexington buddy Blue Lou with 47-16 totals. The rest of the field:

46-17      Gary W.
46-17      Kenny S.
46-17      Sonja
44-19      David Watson
44-19      Viv Mc
42-21      Worldwide Jeff
40-23      Willie Cat Fan
37-26      Jennifer B
36-27      A Cardinal Chimp
29-34      The Other One
27-36      Matthew Mitchell for Governor

It was great fun and we'll do it again next year. Since I already have a Cardinal Couple T-Shirt...I'm sending one to Curtis for his second place finish. Joe has already purchased two with a donation to the website/radio show.

We still have some shirts.

M,L, XL and XXL available. With a $12 donation to Cardinal Couple via PayPal or personal check, you can have one, too.

Don't be shy, step right up and get yours. It's a very comfortable heavy cotton shirt that would look great on you this summer. And, you're helping a non-profit LLC meet the costs of producing a website, radio show and general mayhem. You know you'd look darn good in one...why wait?

Send those checks to:

Cardinal Couple
PO Box 91521
Louisville, KY   40291

and indicate what size you want. Or click the Pay-Pal donation link on the Right Side of the Site.  

We thank you.

paulie
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Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Softball sweeps South Florida

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- Softball beats Bulls twice

- Final Four: Will you watch, who ya got?


Louisville Softball got back to their winning ways in Tampa Saturday with a sweep of South Florida. The Cards bested the Bulls 5-1 and 3-0.

The big blow in the opener went to Katie Keller...who delivered a three-run homer in the top of the seventh to break it wide open. Louisville had trailed 1-0 through five innings but got a two-run single in the top of the sixth to take the lead.

Maryssa Becker took the win...pitching seven innings and scattering six hits to go to 9-3 on the season. The Cards hung the loss on All-Conference pitcher Sara Nevins (17-5).

In game two, the Cards got a shutout performance from starter Caralisa Connell and reliever Rachel LeCoq.

Louisville (22-15, 4-4)  started the party early with a run...Kelsi Jones doubling in the first and coming home when Kayla Soles was hit by a pitch. The Cards plated two more in the fifth, pinch runner Jordan McNary scoring on a sacrifice fly and Keller doubling to score Jones.

USF (29-10, 3-2) loaded the bases in the third but could not produce and was also victims of a double play on a one-out fly ball to Taner Fowler...who made the catch and threw out a Bull who had tagged and attempted to score from third.

They'll take the field today at noon today to complete the series.

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The Women's Final Four starts today in Nashville. Cardinal Couple will keep an eye on the action but did not apply for media coverage to attend.

We know of several who purchased tickets for the events throughout the year. We have to wonder if they are still going despite the Lady Cards not being participants.

And...who do you cheer for now? If you cheer or watch at all?

Paulie has UConn winning his entry in the CARDINAL COUPLE Bracket Challenge. He's got it won...a game up on Joe Hill with the samd semi-final and champ....and two games up on Curtis Franklin...who had Tennessee and UConn meeting in the final game. He rather see Notre Dame take the title, truth be told. They will have their work cut out for them without Natalie Achonwa against a feisty Maryland squad.

Can Stanford pull the upset over UConn? Will it be a Connecticut year...with wins in the men's and women's brackets? The UConn men's team chomped the Gators, you know...KY squeaked by Wisconsin. 

In our contest, six of the sixteen entries had Connecticut winning the title. Notre Dame was the pick of four contestants. Louisville and Kentucky got the nod from three people each. The UConn v. Notre Dame final was the most popular with seven picks. Louisville v. UConn got three picks. The following matchups were selected once. UConn vs. Tennessee, South Carolina vs. Kentucky, North Carolina vs. Notre Dame, Michigan State vs. Louisville, Stanford vs. Louisville and Texas A&M vs. Kentucky.

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I did search for a good while this morning but didn't see any field hockey scores from the exhibitions yesterday. I'm going to have to assign Worldwide the duties of sending me tweet status updates to my e-mail. He'd probably just laugh at me, though, and invite me to join the 21st. century.

Lacrosse takes on Cincy today. 101 miles away. Or...you could head to the Bass-Rudd for donuts (from Nord's!) and watch tennis at 10 a.m.

paulie
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