Softball Takes Opener at UNC -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Win Solo Shot Battle 2-1

Louisville entered yesterday's game in a bit of a must win situation. The Cards need to pick up some series victories over the last few weeks of the schedule to be in contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Losing midweek games to teams like EKU doesn't help, but a Friday win over UNC will hopefully get them back on track. The Cards got things started in the first and Alyssa Zabala held on to pick up her 18th win of the year, which leads the league. 

After two quick outs for the Cards in the top of the first, Riley Frizell sent a ball over the wall in straightaway right to give Louisville a 1-0 lead. That may have shaken the UNC starter a tad, as Bailey Richardson and Vanessa Miller both drew walks to follow. A ground out ended the threat, but Frizell's homer turned out to almost be enough in this one. 

Zabala got back-to-back ground outs to start the second, but a single ended her perfect game effort quickly. A foul out at the plate ended the inning. After a ground out to open the top of the second, Maddi Grant followed Frizell with a bomb to right center. That put Louisville up 2-0, which is how the game would stay until the final out. 

The Cards had plenty of chances to extend their lead, and had things gone differently, they'd be kicking themselves for the wasted opportunities. The Cards left at least one runner on in all but two innings. Their biggest chance for more runs came in the fourth, when a ground out left the bases loaded. Coincidentally, UNC's best chance at small ball runs also came in the fourth. A four-pitch walk opened the side, but a fielder's choice and a popup gave UNC two outs with still just the runner on first. Another walk put two on base, but a ground out ended the threat. 

After a ground out and a fly out put Zabala one out away from a complete game shutout, her 1-0 pitch was knocked over the fence in left, putting the tying run at the plate. The at-bat opened with a called strike, and the batter fouled away the next pitch. Down to her last strike, UNC's freshman catcher Raeghan Carlson spoiled four more strikeout pitches with foul offs and drew one ball. Ultimately, Zabala was able to induce a ground out to end the game. Zabala's final line was 2 hits and 1 run (earned) with three walks and two strikeouts. She threw 110 pitches in the complete game. 

Her counterpart, Kenna Raye Dark, also threw a complete game, and somehow managed to do it on fewer pitches. Dark threw 105 en route to 6 hits, 2 runs (both earned), three walks, and two strikeouts. Eerily similar lines for the sophomores. Maddi Grant was the only Cardinal to pick up multiple of those six hits, finishing with a pair. Vanessa Miller drew two walks. 

Louisville will look for a bit more offense today, as they'll wrap the series with a double-header due to forecasted bad weather on Sunday. The first game will get started at 2PM and will air on ACC Network Extra. The second game is scheduled for 4:30, but will start 20-30 minutes after the conclusion of the first if it runs long. 

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

Happy Thunder Day, Cardinal Fans. While the more virtual nature of the show means that we aren't obligated to cancel the show due to inability to access our studio, a few conflicts will mean there's a small cast on hand. Paulie, Jeff, and Jared will bring you the news and notes of the week, looking at softball's ups-and-downs, the upset bid that wasn't for lacrosse, and big WBB commitments and signings. We'll see if Jeff has streaming sorted out, but if he does, you can check out the live stream of the show by going to the Cardinal Couple YouTube page and clicking on the live video. Jeff usually creates that about an hour before the show, which officially starts at 11 AM Eastern. If the live time doesn't work for you, there are plenty of playback options, so be sure to check out whichever is best for you!

Cardinal Couple YouTube: Link

Spotify: Link

Apple Podcasts: Link

Google Podcasts: Link

Overcast (free account required): Link

Pocket Casts (free account and app required): Link

RadioPublic: Link

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case

Reeling in the Weekend -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Women's Sports on the Weekend


Despite campus being relatively quiet this coming weekend things are pretty packed for the women's sports at Louisville.

Softball is set to play a three-game series up in Brighton to face Boston College.  The 13-23 Eagles have been less than stellar this season but have won their last two games.  They have been outscored 211-126 this year.

The Cards are 25-14 on the season and 6-6 in the ACC.

Louisville is coming off a series victory against Florida State, arguably two of the biggest wins in program history.  Danielle Watson and Taylor Roby have led the pitching force recently while Celene Funke's 43 hits and Sidney Melton's 42 hits are the best on the team.  Rebecca Chung has a team-high 27 RBIs with Megan Hensley's 26 and Melton's 25 are close behind.  Funke is still tied for first in the NCAA with nine triples.

Lacrosse heads to Charlottesville to face #7 Virginia on Saturday at noon.  The Cavaliers have scored 201 goals on the season and are led by Avery Shoemaker with 41 goals and 54 points.  In goal, Charlie Campbell has close to a .500 save percentage with 132 saves.

The Cards come into the match 5-10 and are coming off a 19-7 victory against Ohio State.  Tessa
Chad's 53 goals ranks 6th in the NCAA.  Rachel Florek is approaching triple-digits in saves with 97.

Women's Tennis will conclude their regular season in Tallahassee against #12 Florida State on Saturday at noon.  The Cards have lost 10 straight and 13 of the last 14.

Raven Neely's 16 wins are a team-high.  Nikolina Jovic is also in the double-digits with 12 wins.

Track and Field will be at home, hosting the Louisville Invitational on Friday and Saturday.  Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, and Notre Dame will be the other teams competing against the Cards over at Cardinal Park.

Women's Golf will be in Atlanta the entire weekend competing in the Liz Murphey Collegiate.  Four of the teams appearing are ranked in the Top 25.  Louisville is ranked 42nd in the country.

Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Ole Miss, Kennesaw State, Georgia, Augusta, Denver, Iowa, and Daytona State will be the other competitors in the heavy-SEC field.

Boom, boom !


Also in town is Thunder Over Louisville.

Between the Louisville Bats game, the air show, the fireworks, and more you can expect the crowds to be just shy of a million people, more than the entire population of Louisville.  Close to 60,000 shells are expected to be used in the largest annual firework show in the world.  The 30-minute display is definitely a sight to behold.

For those electing to attend Thunder Over Louisville please plan accordingly with traffic and weather.  I would highly recommend getting tickets to the Bats game.  If nothing else you have access to plumbing and electricity and can hang out with me in a good place to view the airshow and fireworks show.

Radio, radio...oh, who hid the radio?

I will NOT be present tomorrow morning for The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour (please hold your applause until the end of the performance) but the other knuckleheads and Dynamic Daryl will hold down the fort to discuss all things women's sports -- so tune in or give us a look!

Air time is 11 a.m. Emanating from the magnificent, majestic media mansion on Mellwood. Bringing you the only show on the radio waves that devotes an hour to the joy and excitement of women's sports at the University of Louisville.




WCHQ 100.9 FM would be the digits you need to know and can easily picked up down by the river. We can also be accessed via Twitter @WCHQFM. Download the WCHQ app while you are there.

There's link to listen to the station and its current  broadcasts at www.wchqfm.com and people report to us they listen to us that way.

Paulie recently fielded an e-mail from a listener who accessed us, through the website, from Eugene, Oregon. She was complimentary of the show and was thinking about maybe doing something similar on a college campus station up there about her school's women's athletics.

We broadcast the show on Facebook Live as well. Have a look, comment and tell a friend!

Unfortunately, we aren't available via DoorDash or Uber Eats. Yet.

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

Jared

Softball, Lacrosse Face Big Tests -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL SQUARES OFF VS. SEMINOLES

The University of Louisville Softball squad will miss Thunder over Louisville festivities today on the Ohio River but they hope to make a little noise on their own when they start the three game series against FSU down in Tallahassee this afternoon. 

The Seminoles are ranked either 8th (ESPN) or 10th (USA Today) in the nation, according to which poll you follow and will host Louisville for a 1 p.m. game today. FSU is 36-8 on the season and have won the last five meetings with Louisville. 

The Cards come into the contest with a 11-7 win over Indiana on Wednesday in Bloomington. The recent rejuvenated Louisville bats will be put to the test against a FSU pitching staff that held Boston College to just four runs in a three game set last time out. 

The festivities will be available on the ACC Network Extra today and tomorrow, ESPNU carries the contest Monday.  As always, game times are always subject to change depending on any impending weather in the area. 

Our Jared Anderson is in Tallahassee and will attend the first two contests. We'll catch up with him today via phone on the CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR for his thoughts on Noles vs. Cards. 


LACROSSE TRAVELS TO SYRACUSE

If Floyd Street, on the UofL campus, seems a little less crowded today...it's because the Lacrosse team is also out of town and will miss Thunder Live to face Syracuse in the final regular season game of the year. 

The Orange are in a similar predicament as Scott Teeter's squad.  They haven't won a contest in ACC play either this season, so it'll be a battle for the basement...so to speak in the Carrier Dome.

It's homecoming for Otto the Orange's bunch, so they'll have a bit of momentum in that regard.  The 'Cuse dropped a 13-12 contest against Boston College last time out in Chestnut Hill. They've managed a 8-8 record on the season but are on a three game losing streak. Surprisingly, they are ranked #19 in the nation...a testament to just how strong ACC women's lacrosse is. 

For the Cards, it's a matter of just sealing the deal and finishing strong. Louisville was tied with Virginia 8-8 last week in the L.L.S. early in the second half before watching the Wakoos go on a 6-0 run and eventually taking the match 18-10. Thhe Cards are 6-9 on the season. 

Louisville did down the Orange last year out at the "Ellis" 9-8. It was their first win ever against Syracuse...failing the previous seven times. 

Cardinal Freshman Caroline Blalock (one of the Blalock sistahs) was recently named IL Women's Lacrosse National Rookie of the Week, based in part on her four goal effort against UVA. 

Both teams will open ACC Tournament play on Thursday at Duke...one of them hoping to have the momentum of a one game winning streak.


THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

It'll be like a return to the early days of the broadcast history today as Jeff and I will be the two lone hosts for the 11 a.m. broadcast. We've gotten spoiled, maybe with three or four voices each week to pontificate and predict. 

With Case studying for Engineering exams and Jared down in the Sunshine State  -- plus three guests I invited to sit in either out-of-town or with prior commitments -- you'll get the "stripped down" version of the "A" team on Facebook Live. Two knuckleheads with the promise of a third via phone. 

"The knuckleheads make me laugh!"

(Don't worry..."stripped down is just a descriptive metaphor...we promise we'll have our clothes on and they'll remain on..) 

Jared Anderson, as mentioned above, will call in to brag about the Florida weather, probably take a picture of himself while talking to us and maybe even reveal the highly secret and clandestine motive behind his travels to Jazmine Jones' hometown. 

We'll have plenty of items to discuss and give you Worldwide's infamous scheduling and Twitter segment...which has gotten quite a bit of national recognition and commentary from people who despise the term "um..." in spoken language. Hey, we all do it. Some are better at it than others. 

Join us, won't you?     www.wchqfm.com


paulie
xxxxx

Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Thunder Over Ulmer. Cards sweep doubleheader vs. UConn

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Cards crash four home runs in 6-0, 9-1 wins

Almost 800,000 people gathered by the banks of the Ohio River to watch Thunder Over Louisville yesterday...the yearly fireworks extravaganza that symbolizes the start of the Derby Festival. On the UofL Belknap Campus, the Cardinal Softball team had their own display of thunder...smashing four home runs and putting up 15 runs in the whitewash of the Huskies.

Cards 6 - UConn 0

Louisville struck early in the opener...getting a run in the first when Kelsi Jones drew a walk, advanced to third on a steal and wild pitch and scored on a Katie Keller single.

The Cards lit up the scoreboard in the second with two over the fence efforts. After a Maryssa Becker walk, Taner Fowler unbuckled off the left field scoreboard. Hannah Kiyohara drew a base on balls and Jones returned to the plate to power one over the center field fence. It was 5-0 Cards after two.

UofL added a run in the fourth...Jones scoring her third run of the game when she singled, stole second and third and reached home on a double steal play that had Keller out at third.

Becker was her usual effective self inside the circle...going six innings and allowing just six hits while gathering six strikeouts. Tiarra Sanabria got an inning of relief in off the stripe..allowing two hits.





LOUISVILLE 9  - UCONN1

The Cards kept the fireworks going in the nightcap...closing out the Huskies by eight runs in five innings. A strong start in the second game as well, two runs crossing the plate...thanks to a Brittany Duncan double that nearly was a home run with Whitney Arion and Keller on base.

The Huskies got one across the plate in the visitor half of the third but Louisville answered with two runs in the inning...Kayla Soles bouncing one high off of the scoreboard with Keller on base. It was 4-1 Louisville after three.

UofL kept up the air show in the fourth...Fowler doubled, Kiyohara singled and a deep fly by Jones brought Fowler home. That set the stage for Whitney Arion's bombardment of Brandeis Street...her fifth homer of the year made it 7-1 Cards.

Louisville ended it in the fifth. Duncan drew a walk, Jordan McNary came in to run for her. Kayla Soles singled to set up a Becker single that scored McNary. Soles got the ninth run when she crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

Rachel LeCoq with a strong outing in the finale...going five innings, allowing just two hits and getting 2 k's to go to 8-7 on the year.

They'll play the series-ender today at noon in Ulmer. It is
Softball's Pink Game. The team will be donned in special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game. Fans are encouraged to wear pink as well. The auction will go to support Live Strong in conjunction with the YMCA.


Good to see the softball team we have come to expect surface with two big wins. It was a nice aerial assault by Louisville Saturday...one that might have had the Blue Angels doing a flyover above the campus to see who was going to put one out next.

paulie

Softball Cards split doubleheader with Irish

Notre Dame pitcher Jody Valvidia tossed a one hitter at Louisville in the first game at Ulmer Stadium Saturday, leading the Irish to a 5-0 win. Louisville rallied in the second to defeat the Irish 4-1.

On what was a perfect day for softball attending, UofL's women's softball team split a doubleheader with the Big East leading Notre Dame (33-7, 11-1) squad.

Louisville (27-14, 6-4) couldn't get the bats untracked in the opener, falling behind to the Irish in the top of the 3rd inning after Katie Fleury doubled home two runs. The Cards would give up two more scores in the 5th inning on a Brianna Jorgensborg two run homer to left field. Notre Dame added an insurance run in the 6th when Christine Lux got to the plate on a Kristina Wright single.

Valdivia allowed Kristin Austin the only Cardinal hit of the game and struck out five Cardinals while going the distance for her 26th win of the season. Kristen Wadwell took the loss for the Cards.

The Cardinal rallied in Game Two, striking early when Chelsea Bemis singled home Vanessa James in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 lead. James would give the Cards two more runs in the 3rd with a bases loaded single. Notre Dame cut the margin to 3-1 off a 6th inning Heather Johnson home run blast. The Cards tacked on a run in the bottom of the 6th when Jennifer Esteban doubled down the left field line to score Katelynn Mann to complete the scoring.

Tori Collins tossed a five hitter at the Irish for her 9th win of the year. Esteban had three hits for Louisville.

A noon Sunday game completes the series.

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

Louisville Lacrosse was busy at the other end of the Cardinal campus and delivered a 21-9 win over Jacksonville. The Cards surged out to a 14-4 halftime leads against the Dolphins. Bergan Folly tossed seven goals into the net for Louisville on fourteen shots and Liz Lovejoy added four goals for Louisville, who improved their record to 8-5.

I didn't get down to the lacrosse field to watch the action but Paul did make the walk and reports that about 300 fans were in attendance to watch the match.

Cardinal Lacrosse continues on Derby Eve (Friday) against the UConn Huskies.

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

Hope everyone had a great Thunder Over Louisville. Despite the technical glitches that delayed the 9:30 fireworks start, it was another spectacular show. It was also pretty cold down by the river and it might have been a good year to view it on TV. We haven't missed one yet, though..and have been then for much colder viewings than last night's.

Thunder is the official kickoff to the many Derby festivities and events that lead up to the First Saturday on May race at Churchill Downs. It is one of my favorite, as well. We've gotten together with a group of friends that has steadily grown over the past 21 years to watch the air show and fireworks. Although the venue when we meet up and tailgate has changed several times...the abundant food, beverage and good times never fail to please and delight. Grills smoking, cornhole games being contested...the delightful mix of young and old laughing and camping out in lawnchairs...it never gets old or stagnant.

And, thank goodness for the roaring firepit that greeted us last night after the walk back from the river. I do love this time of year so...

Written by Sonja
4/18/10