Louisville softball loses to California 3-0...

MONDAY @ C.C.



Cal Bears pitcher Jolene Henderson shuts out
 UofL softball for the second day in a row.

-Cards fall to Bears 3-0

-The NCAA Tournament at a glance

-Vonk came a long way to be a Bear

Different day, same result. California pitcher Jolene Henderson got her second shutout over UofL in 24 hours with a 3-0 whitewash of the Cardinals. The Cards did have more hits today than California in the loss...but couldn't push home the base runners to the plate. Cal took a 1-0 in the second when a costly throwing error by Chelsea Bemis on an attempted putout at first led to a Bears score. They tacked on a second run in the fourth when a wild pitch by Louisville starting pitcher Tori Collins allowed Frani Echavarria to score from third base. They added an insurance run in the fifth when a Jace Williams single to center plated Jamia Reid.

Louisville had their chances, especially in the final three innings. The Cards got back to back singles in the bottom of the fifth from Taner Fowler and Kristin Austin  to have runners at the corners with no outs. Henderson got Katie Keller to pop up in foul territory for an out, though...a fielder's choice by Jennifer Esteban moved pinch runner Tesha Payton to second...but Fowler couldn't score on the play. Chelsea Bemis lifted a long fly to center next...but Echavarria caught up with it for the third out.

Louisville tried again in the sixth to dent the scoreboard. Alicja Wolny smashed a double to the wall in right center. Chelsea Jordan came in as a pinch runner and got to third after a Colby Wherry single. A groundout by Maggie Ruckenbrod sent Wherry to second but Jordan couldn't score on the play. Once again, Henderson pitched her way out of the trouble by sending Hannah Kiyohara back to the dugout on strikeouts.

Collins pitched well enough to win...and the Cards were getting to Henderson in the late innings but it's the most runs that wins you the game and the Bears capitalized when they needed to. Louisville left five runners in scoring position in the last two innings...and that proved to be the key stat of the game.

The game was stopped before the seventh inning began because of severe weather headed in the ballpark's direction and lighting strikes. We took cover in the hospitality room and got the chance to run into UofL Marketing's Adrienne Johnson. Always good to see A.J. with the bright smile and she reports that her Mom is doing well and hanging in there.

Louisville came back out after the delay and did get a bottom of the seventh inning single from Katie Keller but Jolene Henderson then retired Esteban, Bemis and Wolny in a row to get the win.

Louisville outhit Cal with eight hits to five for the Bears. Wherry and Austin had two each for the Cards..but UofL left nine base runners in the game...California eight. Tori Collins struck out 10 Bears batters, a new UofL record in NCAA Tournament play...but Henderson topped her again...sending 11 UofL batters back to the dugout after strike three.

FROM THE POST GAME:

-Cardinal shortshop Colby Wherry on Henderson:

"She's really good. She was working really hard with her change-up today..more than yesterday. She knew what to throw and she had a great game."

-California pitcher Jolene Henderson on UofL's scoring threats:

"I like to make things interesting. I don't really get too concerned. Our offense was on today and got runs early. I still felt in control...even when there were runners on base. I don't get too worried because I know what I can do and I don't doubt myself or my teammates at all."

Despite not advancing to the Super Regional...a good season, nevertheless...for Sandy Pearsall's squad. Strong pitching and hitting return for Louisville next year and the only starters leaving are from the left side of the infield...in Bemis and Wherry. A mighty loss, granted...but you can't keep them forever. Bemis and Wherry accomplished a lot of great things in their four years as Cardinals...and will go on to do great things after graduation...
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64 go in, 16 advance. None of them from the BIG EAST. The University of Kentucky advances out of the South Bend regional and will get the California Bears and Jolene Henderson. They join SEC members Georgia, Alabama and Florida in the Sweet Sixteen. Besides California, the PAC 10 sends Stanford, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Arizona State into the Super Regionals..six out of the 10 schools in the conference...which is pretty amazing when you stop to think about it. Also well represented is the BIG 12...Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Baylor, Missouri and Texas A&M. Five schools out of that conference. Houston also advances...from C-USA.

Here's the way the Super Regionals set up:

At Tempe, AZ....#1 Arizona State vs #16 Texas A&M

At Tucson, AZ...#8 Arizona vs. #9 Oklahoma

At Columbia, MO...#5 Missouri vs. #12 Washington

At Gainesville, FL...#4 Florida vs. #13 Oregon

At Stillwater, OK...Oklahoma State vs. Houston

At Athens, GA...#6 Georgia vs. #11 Baylor

At Lexington. KY...Kentucky vs. #5 California

At Tuscaloosa, AL....#2 Alabama vs #15 Stanford

Some surprises along the way as the teams are down to 16 now. UCLA sent to the sidelines - after a 33-17 season - by #4 Florida. #10 Michigan and #14 Tennessee both hosting regionals and not advancing. It is abundantly clear that the power conferences of NCAA Division I college softball are the PAC 10, Big 12 and SEC. 15 of the 16 Super Regional teams are from these three. The BIG EAST had four teams participate...but Notre Dame was tossed out by Kentucky, DePaul sent home by Missouri and Syracuse by LSU.

California, despite winning the Louisville regional and being ranked #5 in the nation...must play the Super Regional on the road in Lexington against Kentucky. The reason? Their softball facilities don't meet NCAA requirements for hosting a Super Regional. Seating the major issue. No worries, though...for the Bears. Head coach Diane Ninemire...who told reporters on Friday night that her team was used to being a road team and would not be affected or intimidated by having to travel after advancing. Truly a shame that the University of California can't come up with the means or funding to build a suitable facility for the #5 team in the nation that plays in one of the best, if not the best, conferences in college women's softball. Coach Ninemire was effusive in her praise for Ulmer Stadium and the way that host Louisville ran the regional.

There wasn't much of a Bears fan contingent in the stands at Ulmer Stadium for the tournament...but they were a vocal group. Leading the cheers and chants was California starters and twins Jamia and Elia Reid's mom...dancing and exhorting for her daughters and the Bears each and every inning. Almost 500 attended the final game on Sunday, maybe 20 of them were Bears fans, but they put on a show and were active in cheering on their team.

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California freshman shortstop Brit Vonk is only one of two Bears that isn't from California. She hails from Enschede, Netherlands and playing softball and studying in the United States has always been a dream of hers. Why did she choose Berkeley, California?

Brit Vonk has proved to be a impact player in her
freshman year at Cal. The Netherlands import
is one of the fastest players on a speedy Bears team.

"I chose Cal because of the history and reputation of the school. The combination of both and Coach Ninemire made it an easy choice for me. I also discovered when arriving here that the San Francisco area is quite similar to the geographical makeup of Enschede...my hometown... and that has helped.." Vonk relates.

Vonk played on the 2008 Netherlands Olympic team and was on the Dutch National championship team in
2010 with the Tex Town Tigers. Her father played professional soccer in the Netherland, her mom played professional water polo and her brother plays professional soccer. She spent a year living in Spain when her father was a soccer coach for a Spanish team.

She arrived from the Netherlands a day before freshman orientation... and the jet-lag and newness of her surroundings had her in a bit of a quandry at first.

"I remember walking around campus, not knowing anybody or anything and thinking to myself...'What am I doing here?'"

Her teammates made up for that in a hurry and even incorporate Dutch cheers and chants in between innings in the dugout. Teammate Jace Williams confides:

"Some of the Dutch words...they're a little bit difficult for us to pronounce, but we give it our best shot...and we get some looks from opponents."

Vonk reports her team's success back to family and friends in Enschede but laments:

"I tell them that we beat UCLA in a series and they say...'That's nice...what is a UCLA?'"

No wooden shoes for this infield specialist...she's started in all 51 game this season for Cal...batting .416 on the season and having the highest team slugging percentage at .516. Vonk has scored 43 runs for the Bears this season and stole 26 base in 31 attempts. She also has drawn a team high 26 walks and produced 62 hits. This little Dutch girl plugs the hole quite well for Cal on the left side of the infield...We at CARDINAL COUPLE will be Bears fans in the Super Regional and hope that they can eliminate the Kentucky Wildcats.
Tough to envision a trip to Lexington to watch softball for us...but we'll be cheering for Cal and hope to catch the action on one of the thousands of ESPN networks out there. Paul, a huge Bears fan (Chicago, that is) has vowed to wear his BEARS hat and t-shirt each time they play. No Ditka or Cutler...but "Da Bears" will win...according to him.

(Parts of this article are from the California Bears official softball website and
Graham Hays @ espn.com) .
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Post game comments after Louisville's 5-2 win over UIC...Preakness today

CARDINAL COUPLE...the SATURDAY REPORT

- Post game with Pearsall, Bemis and Wherry

-Preakness today...will it be "Dialed In?" 

-End of the world as we know it?

CARDINAL COUPLE attended the post game press conference following Louisville's 5-2 win over the UIC Flames in first round NCAA regional action at Ulmer Stadium. Here's the words...

Sandy Pearsall's opening remarks:

"Well...it was a long game. I'm proud of our team...coming back after the seventh when they (UIC) scored two runs. We came out...Chelsea (Bemis) started the tone with a home run.then we just got back in the groove and finished strong. I'll also say that they have a tremendous pitcher (Devin Miller) and she did a good job of handcuffing us up early on. She made it tough on us to score runs. "

The mindset of the Cardinal...going into the bottom of the eight down two runs: 

Chelsea Bemis: " Have fun. Relax and don't tense up...because that really doesn't help. You're aggressive but you're not swinging at junk. 

On her first home run...worried about it clearing the fence? :

Chelsea Bemis:  "No...I was just looking for a hit. When it went out, I was excited..it' always good to hit a homerun.

How often have you had a walk off, game winning home run?

Chelesa Bemis: "It would be my first ever, maybe. I really am not sure. They don't happen very often."

Was there a specific pitch you were looking for when you hit the game winner? 

Chelsea Bemis: "No...she kinda threw high to me. I'd seen change ups earlier and I was struggling a bit earlier to her (pitcher Devin Miller) I was just looking for a hit.  

On Louisville leaving nine base runners earlier in the game before the final home run:

Chelsea Bemis: It is frustrating when you can't get those key base hits....

On Colby Wherry's key single in the eighth inning, which led to the tying run:

Colby Wherry: I was just trying to start stuff off for us. Trying to keep us in the game.

The Cards continue the quest to win the regional today with a 2 p.m. showing against the California Golden Bears. We had commented a couple of days ago that the Bears won the PAC 10 tournament to get to the NCAA...but since the PAC 10 has no softball tournament...that comment should have been about Cal defeating #10 Arizona on the final day of regular season play. The PAC 10 placed seven teams in the NCAA field...tough conference!

Howie Lindsey hanging
out with a statue

The game against UIC was a reunion for Louisville pitching coach Courtney Scott and her older sister Amanda Scott, who is the pitching coach for UIC. According to Courtney, the two had a nice chat before the game...but it wasn't about softball. Courtney laughed when Cardinal Sports' Howie Lindsey asked if she had considered trying to get inside her sister's head with taunts and trash talk during the game...Courtney claiming that never crossed her mind and wasn't something she normally does. 

CARDINAL COUPLE will have coverage of the 2 p.m. Bears vs. Cards game. If Louisville wins, they play next on Sunday. If they lose, they return to the field at 7 p.m. tonight to play the winner of the Jacksonville State vs. Illinois-Chicago contest...which starts at 4:30 today. We're hoping that the Cards win...obviously...due to prior commitments, we'd be unavailable to cover a 7 p.m. Cardinal clash tonight...but will offer a post-game recap here at the site. Maybe assistant sports information director Lori Korte will let us send staff chimps Co-Co and La-La to the press box...naaahhh, bad idea.

Positive thoughts, optimistic vibes...Louisville wins today and rests until Sunday.

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14 three year old hopeful will contest the mile and three sixteenth Preakness Stakes today around 6:30. We discussed our selections and picks a couple of days ago here at CARDINAL COUPLE...here's some race day chatter we've picked up...



Tom Cahill (left) with C.C.'s Paul Sykes and handicapping
expert Norma Burgess. Cahill says.."Look for some
potential high price horses in the Preakness."



-More and more people we've talked to are tossing Kentucky Derby winner ANIMAL KINGDOM out of their picks for the Preakness. DIALED IN, SHACKLEFORD and MUCHO MACHO MAN seem to be the horses that are popular and trendy as the race approaches. We'll know later this evening.

-Ace handicapper Alan Patterson has weighed in with CARDINAL COUPLE and likes the chances of DIALED IN. Alan is also going to include some longshots in his exacta plays...same idea that CARDINAL COUPLE Director of Security and Nonsense Tom Cahill is espousing.

\

Should be fun. Load 'em up and turn 'em loose.

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You've probably heard the inane scuttlebutt about the world ending on Satruday, May 21st at 6 p.m. This doesn't suit our plans at all and would like to ask for an extension. The Preakness doesn't run until around 6:30 p.m. and we'd like to see the Cardinal softball team play on Sunday. Also, what do you tell Jude Schimmel, Sara Hammond, Monney Niakme and Bria Smith...Lady Cards basketball signees?

Don't get us wrong...we'd love to see a return of Jesus to earth below. Not as a game ending scenario...but to continue his preaching
and philosophies. The world certainly could use his guidance and doctrines these days...

So, we respectfully request a delay of the end of the world. We're excited about the upcoming UofL women's sports seasons, watching Charlie Strong's football team this fall and Pitino's hoopsters. Just in case, though....I'm not writing any checks to pay bills until Sunday or Monday...
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Beam us up...Chelsea Bemis's three run blast leads softball to 5-2 win

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.FRIDAY SPECIAL EDITION...Louisville softball

-Bemis's belt in 9th brings Louisville 5-2 win over UIC

The University of Louisville softball squad won their first game in the NCAA Louisville regional Friday night

Bemis (center)  with teammate Colby Wherry and Coach
Pearsall in the post game press conference

at Ulmer Stadium 5-2...thanks to the heroics of senior third baseman Chelsea Bemis. Her bottom of the ninth inning, three run, one out blast over the center field fence was the game ender...in a game that had virtually no offense in the first seven innings. It was not until a surprising two run top of the eight for the Illinois-Chicago Flames that runs got entered on the center field scoreboard...a scoreboard that malfunctioned late in the contest.

Maybe the scoreboard was bored or disgusted. The pitchers' dual that consisted of Cardinal Tori Collins and Flames' Devin Miller certainly had batters walking back to dugout in disgust...after lazy pop outs to the infielders and soft grounders on the Ulmer Stadium dirt. A pitching change by UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall to begin the seventh almost backfired..when the Flames touched freshman Caralisa Connell for the 2-0 advantage on two singles, a walk and a sacrifice fly in the eighth that had Louisville's back to the wall. Pearsall later commented that she didn't think Collins was at her best in the game...allowing several deep fly balls and gathering only 1 strike-out in six innings of work. Louisiville needed to score...a feat that had eluded them through seven innings.

The Cards came through. Bemis tagged her first home run of the game to center, barely clearing the fence, to open the inning. Alicja Wolny followed with a sharp single and the vocal Cardinal fans in attendance notched the volume up to Metallica levels. With Chelsea Jordan in to run for Wolny, a Colby Wherry single found its way to right field...but the speedy Jordan was tagged out at third on a perfect throw from right-fielder Melinda Macias. Wherry advanced to second on the put-out and Pearsall sent another speed burner in Tesha Payton in to run for Wherry. The strategy paid off...Maggie Ruckenbrod smacked a single to left and Payton touched the plate to tie it.

Connell calmed down and got the Flames retired, allowing only a walk to Courtney Heeley. That set the stage for Bemis's blast...a moon shot to center that brought in Kristin Austin and Katie Keller.

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After the game, Bemis was nonchalant about the game winner...claiming she was just looking to drive the ball for a hit and hopefully score Austin. When asked about any tension or nervousness in the Cardinal dugout after the Flames took the 2-0 lead...she said that none was present..the Lady Card were loose, relaxed, having fun and ready for their turn at bat. Coach Pearsall echoed  Bemis's description...relating that she wasn't going to harp on the lack of run production earlier...feeling confident her team would find a way to tie it and then win it.

She found that ways and means in the form of San Diego slugger Chelsea Bemis and Louisville advances in the winner's bracket to face California at 2 p.m. Saturday...who defeated Jacksonville State 6-3 in the opener.

CARDINAL COUPLE will be there with the inning-by-inning coverage for our readers.

It's official...Softball Cards in final and Women's Basketball announces the signing of Smith, Schimmel and Niamke

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For the second year in a row
Louisville and Syracuse meet
in the BIG EAST Softball
Tournament final game. 

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Walz comments on the Spring Signing Period

-Louisville to face Syracuse in BIG EAST Softball

Tournament final today

-Off the Rez airs tonight at 9 p.m.

It's official...as they like to say at the racetrack after a race.
Jeff Walz has announced that Monny Niamke, Jude Schimmel
and Bria Smith have all signed to play for the University of Louisville next season. They join Sara Hammond to give Louisville a 2011 recruiting class that has been ranked as high as fifth. Coach Walz released a statement about it:

"This late signing class solidifies our back court and will no doubt put us in a position to dial up the pressure on opponents. We couldn't be happier about addressing the needs of our team along with adding wonderful young women who will be great ambassadors to the university and our community."

Dial up, indeed. Most of Louisville's opponents in the 2011-12 won't want to answer that Cardinal call of a back court that will be the deepest in UofL women's basketball history. Here's the official bio on each of the the late period signees...courtesy of the UofL Sports Information Department:

Monny Niamke, 5'5", Point Guard, Paris, France (Victor Hugo)

Niamke has played for the French National U16, U17 and U18 teams the last five years. Last season she helped guide them to a silver medal in the FIBA U17 World Championships. She was also named MVP of the European Tournament in Forgeres (France). Won a gold medal at the 2009 Youth Olympic Games in Finland with the U16 squad. Also won a bronze with the U16 in Italy. She is described by Walz as 'one of the best young guards in  Europe. She brings to the team one element we have been lacking for some time, pure speed. She is very skilled on the perimeter and will utilize her quickness to attack the basket and distribute the ball. She also has the capability to be a lock down defender and cause havoc in our defensive schemes.'

Jude Schimmel, 5'5", Combo Guard, Mission, OR. (Portland Franklin)

Schimmel finished her senior year averaging 28.4 ppg, with 9.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 7.3 steals per game. Gathered 5A first team all state honors this season and finished with 1,546 career points. Game high this year of 51 points. Was Portland All-City and on the Oregon All-Star team for the Northwest Shootout. She has played AAU for the Oregon Reign from 2008-10, Team-Concept Fire in 2009-10 and American Horse from 2002-07. Also lettered in softball and cross country. Walz comments...'We are thrilled to add another Schimmel to our Louisville family. Jude will have the opportunity to impact our game with her athleticism and ability to score off the bounce. She is as hard a worker as I have seen in some time, and will no doubt be on the finishing end of precision plays with her sister.'

Bria Smith, 5'10", Combo Guard, Massapequa, NY (Christ the King)

The #8 ranked player in the nation by Hoop Gurlz. This season was named a McDonald's and WBCA All-American. Also first team Parade All-American. Miss Basketball in New York state. New York Daily News Player of the Year. She averaged 21.1 ppg, with 7.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists as a senior. Third year for All-State and All-City honors. She also was on the USA team at the FIBA U17 World Championships. Has been invited to the USA Basketball U19 trials. Walz remarks...'This is a monumental moment for our program and fans of Louisville basketball. Bria brings with her a pedigree of success and star status. She is an electrifying scorer with a great basketball mind. Her competitiveness is unsurpassed and her will to win is paramount. She comes from one of the premier high school and AAU programs in the country and will no doubt elevate our program to new heights.'

The cupboard is stocked full of provisions. It's now up to Walz and the coaching staff to mix a entree that will delight Cardinal fans and win games. The players will need to show Walz and the coaching staff their desire to earn the playing minutes with hard work, determination and a willingness to play defense...a Walz staple.

Take a few days and do something with the wife and kids, Jeff. Disney World, skiing...maybe a family cruise or trip to the mountains. You've brought in a bumper crop to go with an already fantastic base. Time for the farmer to go to the barn dance before harvesting the yield.

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Cardinal senior Chelsea Bemis says it's just a matter of
selecting a pitch and driving it against Syracuse
pitcher Jenna Caira. Bemis drove a three run
blast over the fence yesterday in the 6-0 romp over
the Irish.

Here we go, again. Louisville vs. Syracuse in the BIG EAST Softball Tournament final. Despite the gloomy skies that greet us as we write this article this morning...the game should be far from depressing and should feature a great pitching match up between Cardinal killer Jenna Caira and torrid Tori Collins hurling the softball. The plate approachers aren't ready to let this one be a pitcher's duel, though., Syracuse used a bottom of the seventh inning hitting frenzy to advance past Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals and jumped on DePaul early yesterday in the semifinals to get to the championship game. Sometimes, two runs is enough...especially when you have the juggernaut Jenna Caira tossing the orb.

Louisville went ballistic on Notre Dame in the third inning yesterday en route to the 6-0 win. They waited till late to pounce the USF Bulls in the quarters...2-0 with a run in the sixth and seventh. Tori Collins has been barely hittable...holding the Bulls to a couple of singles and the hard hitting Notre Dame squad to just four singles. Someone set up lounge chairs and umbrellas for the UofL outfielders...Collins either strikes them out, gets them to pop up to the infield or ground out.

There is also the irrelevant fact that Syracuse has won the last five games vs. Louisville. Swept the regular season three games series, took one from the Cards early in the season in a tournament in Alabama and won the BIG EAST Championship last year. Matters not. Today is a new day, new game and you can toss streaks and trends into the trash can.

Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. On ESPN 2 if you can't get out to Ulmer. Should be a doozy! Stay away...rain!

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Just a reminder...the documentary Off the Rez shows tonight on TLC at 9 p.m. A look into the life of Shoni Schimmel and her family as they make the move to Portland, Oregon from the Umatilla Reservation.
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Softball splits in South Bend...Lacrosse wins...Women's golf in third

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

Anna-Karin Lljungstrom shot a
76 in the first round of the
BIG EAST Championships.

-Cards split with Irish in Softball

-Lacrosse dominates Villanova

-Golf 3rd in BIG EAST Tournament

UofL softball split with Notre Dame yesterday in a doubleheader in South Bend. The Cards narrowly dropped the first contest 4-3 and won the second 9-6.

Notre Dame 4 - Louisville 3

The Cards jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first when Chelsea Bemis doubled home Katie Keller. Notre Dame rallied in the second inning to go up 2-1 but the Cards regained the lead in the top of the third when Keller blasted a two run base clearer with Hannah Kiyohara on base...freshman power again...Louisville held the 3-2 advantage. After the Irish tied it in the bottom of the third...a solo home run off of Caralisa Connell...they tacked on the winning run in the fourth. Louisville had two base runners in the fifth and seventh innings...but could not push across the tying run.

Connell took the loss, going to 18-6. She allowed all four runs on six hits and fanned two in 5.1 innings. Tori Collins came in to finish...striking out one and allowing a hit in 1.2 innings of relief.

Louisville 9 - Notre Dame 6

Louisville fell behind early in the nightcap...a solo homer in the first gave the Irish a 1-0 advantage over starter Tori Collins. Katie Petrino relieved her in the circle and allowed two more Notre Dame runs in the third. She lasted until the sixth inning, when the Irish sent three more base runners across the plate and built a 6-0 advantage,

Chelsea Bemis hit a three run
homer against Notre Dame on
Sunday. Bye, bye Mr. Spalding!

The Cards had not conceded defeat, though.

In the top of the sixth, A Chelsea Bemis three run homer scored Kiyohara and Keller. Colby Wherry followed with a single run blast. Alicja Wolny and Maggie Ruckenbrod reached on base hits and Kristin Austin drove home Wolny to make it 6-5. Kiyohara batted for the second time in the inning and drove in Ruckenbrod and Austin to make it 7-6 Cards. Keller smashed a two run fence clearer to increase it to 9-6.

Collins re-entered the game as pitcher in the bottom of the sixth and shut out the Irish in two innings of relief. For Petrino, it was her first win as a Cardinal. She allowed five runs on seven hits...with one strike out. Collins got the save, her third of the season, allowing one run on two hits.

Louisville travels to Lexington next for a Wednesday night game vs. Kentucky.

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Bergan Foley scored four goals
against Villanova

Louisville lacrosse took a win yesterday at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium over Villanova 16-4 Sunday. The Cards outscored the Wildcats 9-1 in the first half...putting eight straight goals in the net to break an early 1-1 tie. They also scored the first two goals in the second half. During the 10-0 run, Bergan Foley and Liz Lovejoy each had three scores. Katie Oliverio found the net twice and Nikki Boltja and Lianne Bobal added a goal each. 

The Cards outscored the Wildcats 7-3 in the second stanza. Louisville shot an impressive 16 for 26 on goals attempted and forced the Wildcats into 26 turnovers. 

Foley and Lovejoy each finished with four goals in the game. The Cards (10-4, 2-2) improved to a tie for fourth place in BIG EAST conference standings and take to the road for their next two...a Thursday contest at Syracuse and a Saturday face-off in Connecticut against the Huskies. 

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Sara-Maude Juneau shot an opening round 75 and the Louisville women's golf team finds themselves in third place in the BIG EAST Championships...13 strokes behind Notre Dame. The Cards are are one stroke behind Georgetown. Anna-Karin Lljungstrom carded a 76 for 18 holes and Laura Anderson finished the first round with a 77... good for 12th place. Tara Lyons' 80 and Maria Castellanos' 82 were the other Cardinal efforts on the first day. 

The Cards tee it up again today, beginning at 9:40 a.m. Becca Huffer, of Notre Dame, leads all participants with her 72...even par. Straight and long down the fairways, ladies and chip and putt!

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Lady Cards add a guard...Softball takes two



Monny Esther Niemke. a.k.a.Young Monny Rose
is a lightning quick guard and is headed to Louisville

 SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Niamke chooses Louisville

-Cards sweep Pitt in softball

-Women's track in Border Battle

-Uncle Mo gets a show...

SHOW ME THE MONNY !!

French sensation guard Monny Esther Niamke, aka Young Monny Rose, has made her decision to come to Louisville for her college basketball career. The speedster was heavily recruited by several BIG EAST schools and other top D1 programs.

Niamke has thrilled French women's basketball fans with her wizardry for several years now. Louisville head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz spent time in France last summer and we can assume he spent time watching the talented point guard play in European competition. Niamke played on the 16U French National team and is described as "a lightning quick point guard who is aggressive on the court and has a strong body frame built for high level Division I basketball." Several different variations are used regarding her name...WE'LL call her anything she wants if she can translate her success in Europe to Denny Crum Court.

With Niamke's decision to attend Louisville, the Cards now have at least three probable arrivals for the class of 2011-12. Sara Hammond has committed and Jude Schimmel has commented that she will most likely end up at Louisville. The Cards are reportedly still in the running for New York combo guard Bria Smith, who will visit Louisville this month.

Niamke had 16 points, 4 steals and 4 rebounds in France's win over Russia  for the bronze in the International 16U Championships recently in Athens, Greece.

This was the "surprise" recruit and commitment we've been mentioning over the last several weeks here at CARDINAL COUPLE. We held off on the details about Young Monny-Rose's chances of coming to Louisville until the Quaneisha McCurty issue became clearer and it now appears that Louisville has room  for Bria Smith and that's about it....unless transfers occur.

Niamke is a true point guard who also
scores with ease on the transition game

Hats off to Walz and the Cardinal coaching staff for corralling this international playmaker! The Cards are now in a "crowded house" situation...as it looks like 3 or more freshmen will join the 3 red shirts and 11 returning players from the 2010-11 team. Whether Nikki Burton will be able to return from the hip and groin injury for the upcoming year remains to be seen. Sources we have talked to connected to the UofL program suggest her playing days may be over. The Cards have also experienced 2-3 transfers out of the program since Walz took over in 2007. Only Asia Taylor, Rachel Story and former walk-on Shelby Harper remain in the junior class of  recruits that arrived on campus following the Cards march to the national title game in 2009. Monique Reid and Becky Burke will be the only seniors on the 2011-12 roster and the only two left from the Cardinals that arrived on campus in 2008. Gwen Rucker switched to volleyball full time last season.

WE can't help but think here at CARDINAL COUPLE that a possible transfer or two might be in the works this summer. Just who could be on that potential list is hard to say....but speculation from CARDINAL COUPLE readers, fans and observers of the program has centered around Story and Polly Harrington as two players that could be seeking a change of scene...We know NOTHING, of course and prognostication is just what it is...UofL has not commented on anything about this and the above names are just a couple that were mentioned in passing when looking at a very full Cardinal potential roster for 2011-12. In any case, Walz  appears to have plenty of options when fall practice gears up...and a plethora of potential staring lineups possible...

GRADUATED PLAYERS
Keisha Hines
LaToya Johnson

RETURNING CARDS
Shelby Harper
Sherrone Vails
Antonita Slaughter
Charmaine Tay
Becky Burke
Polly Harrington
Shoni Schimmel
Tia Gibbs
Rachel Story
Asia Taylor
Monique Reid

REDSHIRT/INJURED RETURNING
Nikki Burton
Shawnta Dyer
Cierra Robertson Warren

PROBABLE INCOMING FRESHMEN
Jude Schimmel
Monny Esther Niamke

COMMITTED FRESHMAN
Sara Hammond

RECRUIT OF INTEREST
Bria Smith

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Louisville softball took both games of the doubleheader against the home standing Pittsburgh Panthers yesterday at the Peterson Sports Complex.

"We faced a very good Pittsburgh team today and I was pleased with how we responded." Head coach Sandy commented on the 3-2 and 7-2 doubleheader sweep over previously undefeated in BIG EAST play Pittsburgh.

Once again freshman sensation Caralisa Connell pitched all 15 innings for the Cards. Connell (16-4) has won ten straight now for UofL. The first game went to extra innings...Louisville getting a big effort from Chelsea Bemis, who gave the Cards the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth with a solo blast over the left field fence.

Louisville took the early lead against the Panthers in the top of the third when Bemis singled home Katie Keller and Colby Wherry singled home Alicja Wolny. Pitt tied it up in the bottom of the sixth with a two run homer off of Connell...setting up Bemis's heroics with the game winner. Connell allowed eight hits and struck out eight for the win.

Louisville overcame a 1-0 Pitt lead early by lighting up the scoreboard for four runs in the fourth inning of Game Two. Taner Fowler's two run homer was the big shot in the inning...when the Cards collected four hits...including a RBI double from Kristin Austin. Louisville increased the margin to 6-1 in the fifth when a Hannah Kiyohara single got Wherry and Austin to the plate.

The Cards got a solo home run blast from Keller in the top of the seventh to make it 7-1 and Connell allowed a solo homer in the bottom of the inning for the 7-2 final. Connell had five punch outs to go with two runs and six hits allowed. Her role as only healthy starting pitcher for Louisville reminds us of the days when former Cards pitcher Aja Sherman used to rule on the mound as Louisville's only threat inside the circle.

They chalk up the baselines today for a 1 p.m.start in the final game in the series. With the wins, Louisville improves to 29-10 overal and 7-1 in the BIG EAST. Pitt falls to 3-2 in conference play. The current ten game win streak for Louisville ties for fourth longest in Cardinal softball history.

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Cardinal women's track and field atheltes fared well in the Battle of the Border events yesterday at Cardinal Park. Although the South (Kentucky and Louisville) narrowly lost to the  North (IU and ND) in the dual meet format....Louisville got six first place finishes. Margret Harris took the 200 meters and finished behind Louisville winner Saravia Richardson in the 100 meter dash. Chelsea Brown captured the 400 meter hurdles for the Cards

In field events, Jenna Wargo took first place in the javelin and D'Ana McCarty won the hammer throw. Characheska Lockhart prevailed in the long jump. The Cards also got strong performances in the shot put and discus when they finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in both events....with Khardija Abdullah, Chinwe Okoro and McCarty.

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1/9 favorite UNCLE MO suffered a stunning defeat in Kentucky Derby prep race... the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Race track in New York yesterday. Leading at the top of the stretch in the 1- 1//8th mile contest, Uncle Mo looked ready to score against the field of nine three year olds, but flattened out in the stretch and finished third....beaten by one and one half lengths. Graham Motion's TOBY'S CORNER took the race by a head over ARTHUR'S TALE.

This throws the Derby scenario wide open now. "Mo" was the prohibitive early favorite to capture the Run for the Roses, but after yesterday's fading performance..one has to wonder whether he can get a mile and a quarter. Ah, the days leading to "the greatest two minutes in sports"....(Remember that the great SECRETARIAT finsihed third in the Wood Memorial before winning the 1973 Derby...) WE"RE not ready to give up on "Mo" just yet...sometimes you just have a rough day. Believe me, we know....
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Soccer defeats DePaul 2-1

YOUR SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

Soccer goes to 2-0 in Big East

Softball opens fall season

Louisville registered two second half goals to overtake DePaul in women's soccer yesterday in Chicago. Although arrangements could not be made to transport Bill the Goat (pictured right) to the contest, the Cards rallied behind freshman Julie Casselman and senior Shannon Leamy to notch their second BIG EAST win. The first half proved to be a defensive struggle and the teams went into the halftime break locked in a scoreless tie.

DePaul found the net first first fifteen minutes into the final half when Arianna Foster kicked one in past Cardinal goalie Taylor Vancil to give the Blue Demons a brief lead. Louisville tied the contest sixteen minutes later when Leamy controlled a missed Cardinal shot and sent the ball to the back of the net past DePaul goalie Claire Hanold.

Louisville wasted no time taking the lead when Cassleman connected on a shot past Hanold. Louisville (8-1) returns home to play #5 Notre Dame on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Fall softball this afternoon for Sandy Pearsall's BatCards. Chelsea Bemis leads Louisville against crosstown opponent Bellarmine for a doubleheader at Ulmer Stadium. CARDINAL COUPLE will provide a full report on the exhibition games tomorrow.

Softball looks ahead to another big year in Big East

Junior third baseman Chelsea Bemis is one of eight returning starters for UofL head softball coach Sandy Pearsall. "Chelsea should have a tremendous season for us." Pearsall says.

Although the Softball Cards are losing catcher Melissa Roth, pitcher Kristen Wadwell and right fielder Vanessa James to graduation..the cupboard is far from empty for next season.

Pitchers Tori Collins and Chelsea Leonard return to handle mound duties and beside Bemis...the Cards have Jordan Trimble (2B), Alicja Wolny (1B), Jennifer Esteban (LF), Kristen Mann (DH), Kristen Austin (CF) and Colby Wherry (SS). The benefits of a returning infield intact will pay huge dividends for the Softball Cards and the bat of Bemis (MVP of the Big East) gives Louisville a solid and dependable nucleus to face opponents.

Coach Pearsall signed five new Cards last fall and they should prove to add depth to the Louisville lineup. Maggie Ruckenbrod was the St. Louis Player of the year and led the state of Missouri in hits last year. She can catch or go to the infield. Pitcher/infielder Caralisa Connell comes in from Mufreesboro, TN. Tanner Fowler (infield/catcher - Morganfield, KY), Hannah Kiyohara (infield/outfield - Auburn, WA.) and Katie Keller ((infield - Livermore, CA.) round out the freshmen.

"Replacing Roth will be our biggest challenge. We do have two incoming catchers, though and Bemis is a good catcher too, if needed." Pearsall commented on the loss of Roth.

"I'm excited about next season. We have a great schedule again. The four freshmen who started for us should benefit a lot. We could start three or four freshmen again next season. I can't wait."

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In the continuing saga of the future prosecuting of Karen Sypher...a Louisville judge has decreed that members of the media cannot talk to or interview her. Finally...blessed relief from the wild and incoherant ramblings of the future jailbird. CARDINAL COUPLE does not condone the indiscretions or coverup that evoled around Pitino and Sypher's tryst several years ago...but accepts the apologies that Pitino offered to family and fans for the indiscretion. CARDINAL COUPLE is definitely not a fan of attempted extortion...and hopes that justice will be served when the case goes to trial in late July.

Just for the record...we had no plans to try and interview her whatsoever and wouldn't mind too much if the ground suddenly opened and swallowed her up.

Roth, Bemis selected for All-Region team

Back to back honors for the Cards' California connection of Melissa Roth and Chelsea Bemis when it was announced yesterday that they had been selected for the NFCA All-Region squads. Both made the teams in 2009.

For Roth, another first team apperance. She led Louisville in batting average (.398), home runs (16) RBI's (47) and runs scored (57).

Bemis made the second team...which is a little surprising considering she was the Big East Player of the Year. Her second half of the season spurt helped her bat .311. She put 12 over the fence and drove in 44 base runners.

Congratulations to both...who are also elgible for All-America honors.

Louisville begins regional play today at 4 p.m. in Knoxville, TN against the Virginia Cavaliers. This is the Cards seventh straight NCAA apperance.


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CARDINAL COUPLE got a nice e-mail from Portland, OR. sports writer Jerry Ulmer yesterday. He writes some really great article about the Portland high school sports scene. He pretty much told us that they're in the dark in Portland as much as we are in the 'Ville when it comes to high school recrruit Shoni Schimmel. With that info, we here at CARDINAL COUPLE are going into the "watched pot never boils" mode and we won't mention her again (promise!) until a decision is offered by her.

A noted psychologist once recalled a club that he and his brother formed as kids where the requirements for membership were based on standing in the corner of their bedroom and not thinking about polar bears. We're doing the same but substituting the girl we're not mentioning for the bears.

Written by Sonja
5/21/10

Bemis named Player of the Year in Big East Softball

UofL third baseman Chelsea Bemis was voted Player of the Year in Big East softball for 2010. The award for the junior slugger was announced last night at the Big East Championship Banquet. Her selection was no surprise to Cardinal softball fans who have watched her safely swat almost everything that was tossed to her this year for Sandy Pearsall's softball Cards.

Bemis also was a unanimous selection to the 1st Team All-Big East squad. Cardinal pitcher Tori Collins and catcher Melissa Roth joined Bemis on the first team selections. First baseman Alicja Wolny was selected for the second team and Kristin Austin and Colby Wherry got third team honors.

Big East Tournament play begins Thursday morning with a 10 a.m. start pitting #4 Villanova against #5 Syracuse. The rest of the quarterfinal round is as follows:

12:30 p.m. #1 DePaul vs. #8 Rutgers
4:00 p.m. #2 Notre Dame vs. #7 Providence
6:30 p.m. #3 Louisville vs. #6 Pittsburgh

First round action will be available on Big East TV and the Thursday quarterfinal package can be purchased for $7.95 if you can't make the games. Go to BigEast.org and click on the link to register and purchase what looks to be an exciting first day of Big East softball action.

The Friday semifinals and Saturday final will be shown on CBS College Sports. A 5 p.m. first pitch is set for Saturday, which makes it tough on those wanting to see if Calvin Borel and SUPER SAVER can win the Preakness.

The winners of game 1 and game two start the action Friday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for the Championship can be purchased at Ulmer Stadium for either single sessions or the full package.

Should Louisville defeat the Panthers in the single elimination tournament, they would face the winner of the Notre Dame vs. Providence game at 5 p.m. Friday. Louisville did not play their quarterfinal opponent Pittsburgh during the 2010 regular season. Ace hurler Cory Berliner will probably draw the starting assignment for Pittsburgh.

The Panthers did play a couple of non-Big East opponents that Louisville also faced...losing to Kentucky and splitting a two game set with Morehead State.

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Also on tap this evening is the 2010 Cardinal Caravan tour at Captain's Quarters. Louisville players and coaches will address the crowd and the cheerleaders and LadyBirds will be performing as well. Louie the Cardinal Bird may have to fly back and forth from the Caravan and Ulmer Stadium to ruffle his feathers for both events...and it is not known yet whether the UofL Pep Band will be playing at the diamond or down by the river.

The Caravan kicked of the 2010 tour in Owensboro Wednesday night.

CARDINAL COUPLE will recap all the quarterfinal action for you beginning Thursday night with a report on each of the four games.

Written by Sonja
5/13/10

Bemis earns Big East Player of the Week honors

Louisville's hard hitting junior third baseman has been selected as the Big East Player of the Week for her efforts against the Huskies. She ended the final week of the regular season going 5 for 8 (.625) and drove home eight runs. Her torrid hitting included two double and two home runs. She also crossed the plate four times.

Bemis led the Big East during the regular season in slugging percentage.

She and the rest of the Softball Cards will play 6:30 p.m. in the opening round of the Big East Tournament Thursday night here at Ulmer Stadium. Louisville finished in third place for the regular season standings.

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I absolutely hate the conflict that has developed here between the Cards softball tournament opener and the Cardinal Caravan Thursday night at Captain's Quarters. Originally, I swear I saw the the 3rd ranked team in the Big East final regular season standings would face the 6th ranked team to begin the tournament at 10 a.m. Thursday when I checked out the bracket pairings and times earlier in the week over at a Big East site. This worked out well for fans who wanted to attend both softball and the showcase of Louisville players and coaches. The official tournament draw that was released Sunday night, though...had the #3 vs. #6 at 6:30 p.m.

I can understand moving the UofL game to a later time and hoping to get a larger attendance...since more people will be home from work and able to attend and bring the kids. Putting it up against the popular Cardinal Caravan, though...which returns after a one year absence...makes no sense. Perhaps the Big East tournament officials didn't know about the gathering by the river.

Maybe the rains will delay one or both of the activities. The long range weather forecast for Louisville on Thursday doesn't look all that great. As if all this wasn't bad enough, yours truly also has a regularly scheduled monthly club meeting that same night.

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We all appreciate a little humor on the golf course. Usually. Who could forget Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray in CADDYSHACK? Adam Sandler and his golf antics in HAPPY GILMORE? Even Kevin Costner's tribulations in TIN CUP. The NCAA frowns on such nonsense, though and disqualified Norte Dame golfer Annie Brophy for joking around about her scores during the final round of the Central Regional Saturday at Otter Creek Golf Course. Brophy was keeping an accurate scorecard during the 18 holes but was telling people in charge of driving around the course and keeping track of the scores for the leaderboard that she was 6 under par after the first nine holes.

Brophy intended on turning in her actual scores at the end of her round...explaining that she wasn't lying or cheating on her score and actually keeping an accurate record of her strokes..but the NCAA got wise to her antics and disqualified her after 14 holes.

The problem? Seems that the scores Brophy was reporting had the teams from Florida State, Oregon and Kent State waiting around to see if they might be bumped by the Irish from finishing in the top eight and advancing to the NCAA Championships.

Brophy later admitted that her actions were not funny and she wasn't considering the long term effects of her kidding around. I wonder if she's majoring in Theatre or Political Science at Notre Dame.

(And people used to have problems with me replacing their golf ball with a hollowed out plastic one when they weren't looking. I submit the crown and title to you, Annie.) MANANANANAAAAAAAAA...NOONAN!

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You may have noticed a new link in the "Sites We Recommend" at the top left of our site. THEY'RE PLAYING BASKETBALL is a great site that has a lot of articles about women's basketball and other related topics. Be sure to check out the article about Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant juggling her responsibilities as a head coach and mother. This was a great find by Sonja and I've made this site a "must read". Thanks to Sue for allowing us to post her link and spread the word.

Written by Paul (Happy bithday...Boats!)
5/11/10

Softball Cards sweep UConn series with 7-3 win

Louisville ended the regular season on a high note with a 7-3 win at UConn. The Cards swept the series and goes into the Big East Tournament as the third seed.

The Cards pounced on UConn early in Sunday's game...scoring three runs in the top of the first. Melissa Roth led off with a single and advanced when Jennifer Esteban's fielder's choice was mishandled...leaving both runners safe. Chelsea Bemis continued with her torrid hitting streak and singled in Roth. Esteban scored on a throwing error when Bemis stole second and Colby Wherry's single got Bemis to the plate for an early 3-0 lead.

The Cards continued the scoring in the second inning when Kristin Austin single and advanced to third on a Roth double. Esteban reached on a fielder's choice that left all runners safe. Austin scored on a Bemis sacrifice fly and the Cards tacked on another run when Roth made it to the plate on a passed ball...giving Louisville a 5-0 advantage.

UConn got two runs back in the fourth on a home run blast from Amy Vaughn but countered with a run in sixth when Alicja Wolny's double scored Esteban. The final Cardinal score came in the seventh when Katelyn Mann drew a walk and touched the plate on a Vanessa James double. UConn tacked on a meaningless run in the bottom of the seventh to make the final 7-3.

Kristen Wadwell picked up her 17th win of the year. She struck out three and allowed seven hits in six innings.

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The field has been set for the Big East tournament which will begin Thursday in Louisville. The Cards finished in third place with a 16-6 record. Notre Dame and DePaul tied for first. Louisville will start against 6th seed Pittsburgh Thursday morning. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. The full rankings are:

#1 DePaul
#2 Notre Dame
#3 Louisville
#4 Villanova
#5 Syracuse
#6 Pittsburgh
#7 Providence
#8 Rutgers

Written by Paul
5/10/10

Softball Cards take two at UConn

Tori Collins and Kristen Wadwell combined to hold the Huskies to just one run in two games Saturday. Louisville swept the double header 5-0 and 10-1.

Louisville (36-16, 15-6) weathered a hour long rain delay that postponed the start of the first game and, at first, it looked like the Cards' bats might be a little waterlogged as well. The teams remained scorless after four innings and just had three hits between them. The Cards finally got the base paths busy in the top of the fifth inning when Melissa Roth and Jennifer Esteban drew walks and Chelsea Bemis sent them home with her deep home run to centerfield...her 11th of the year.

Alicja Wolny started off the Cards half of the sixth inning with a fence clearer to right and the Cards tacked on the final run of the game later in the inning when Kristin Austin came home on a bases loaded Esteban walk.

Collins got the win, going 4 innings and allowing just the one hit. Kristen Wadwell finished the final three innings and preserved the one hitter for Louisville.

Game Two saw the Cards hit the board first when Wolny and Katelyn Mann started the inning with singles and reached home plate on a triple by Austin. Vanessa James' single scored Austin and the Cards built a 3-0 lead.

Louisville tacked on 3 more runs in the 4th inning when Roth singled, Esteban reached on an error and Bemis banged another one into the parking lot...putting Louisville up 6-1.

The Cards were just getting warmed up. In the sixth, Roth doubled and Esteban drew a walk that allowed Colby Wherry to connect for a three run blast down the left field line to give the Cards a 9-1 advantage. They closed out the scoring later in the inning when Wolny singled and raced home on a Jordan Trimble single.

Wadwell was credited with the win. She pitched three innings of shutout softball for Louisville and Collins allowed just one run and three hits in three innings.

The teams conclude the series and the regular season for each on Sunday. Louisville hosts the Big East tournament beginning Thursday. Let's hope the weather holds up...the long range weather forecast is for rain in the Louisville area beginning Tuesday and continuing until Friday.

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Louisville women's golf finished the third and final day of the NCAA Central Regional in 14th place....missing the cut for the NCAA Championships. The Cards were led by Laura Anderson's 74 on the final day. Anderson returns for her final season next year along with junior Sara-Maude Juneau and freshmen Candice Wiley and Anna-Karin Ljungstrom....giving the 9-iron Cards and strong nucleus for 2011.They lose only graduating senior Daphine Parker from their starting fivesome.

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Finally, a Happy Mother Day to all readers! Whether your a mother, father, daughter or son...make sure and let Mom know how much you appreciate her and love her. I miss my Mom but I'm very thankful of the wise guidance and unconditional love she showed me and my family while she was with us.

Written by Paul HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!
5/9/10

Softball a solid 3rd in Big East standings

John Belushi contemplates where he wants sit at the upcoming Big East softball tournament that will be held at UofL's Ulmer Stadium May 13th-15th. As the 3rd seed, Louisville will begin play at 10 AM Thursday morning and face either Pittsburgh, Providence or Villanova. Tickets are available thru the University of Louisville ticket office or can be purchase at the gate. Although the late, great comedian won't be there...he'd be excited to watch the Softball Cards and their impressive lineup. Makes me want to have a "cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger...Pepsi."

Sandy Pearsall's Softball Cards sit in 3rd place in the Big East standings, behind DePaul and Notre Dame. Louisville will host the 2010 Big East softball tournament again this year and if there is a better venue than Ulmer Stadium to watch the game, you'll have to prove it to me.

Pearsall came to Louisville in 2000 after coaching at Miami, OH for six years. Softball was a new entity on the Belknap Campus and Pearsall wasted no time in pushing the program to prominence...gathering the C-USA Coach of the Year honors during her first season as the Cards skipper. Her teams have won over 400 games and this year's team is a solid contender for one of her best ever. Another example of Tom Jurich making a quality coaching hire decision and seeing it come to a sucessful outcome.

The softball stars are many and senior catcher Melissa Roth leads a talented group of diamond performers that love to pounce on opponents early and seal the deal with outstanding pitching. Kristen Wadwell and Tori Collins are Big East All-Star candidates and Collins has really stepped up and been very effective lately after Chelsea Leonard's season ended with a knee injury.

Roth isn't alone as a Cardinal slugger. Chelsea Bemis recently was named national player of the Week for her at plate efforts and Jordan Trimble, Vanessa James, Alicja Wolny and a multitude of others have made the Cardinal squad a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

CARDINAL COUPLE will provide full coverage of the Big East tournament and if you can't make it to Louisville for the 3 day affair, you can watch the action on Big East TV. Isn't it about time that the Cards get a little live game radio coverage? After all, how many classic rock stations does this city really need?

I'm guessing that if you gave Vanetti unlimited trips thru the media buffet, he'd do it in a heartbeat and I'd gladly do color commentary gratis.

On second thought...maybe it's a bad idea after all...

Written by Sonja
5/5/10 HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Cards sweep Syracuse in softball 6-2, 7-4

Kristen Wadwell finished the first game for Louisville and got the win in the second as the Cards take two from the Orange at Ulmer Stadium Wednesday.

Although the start was shaky for the Cards, the end result was sweet against Big East rival Syracuse. Starting pitcher Tori Collins worked her way out of a bases loaded, no outs top of the first inning...keeping the Orange scoreless. Louisville drew first blood in the bottom half of the first, using a Melissa Roth leadoff single and Syracuse throwing error to take a 1-0 lead.

Louisville held that slim lead until the bottom of the fifth. The Cards exploded for five runs, keyed by a two run Chelsea Bemis homer and a two run producing double by Kristin Austin. Syracuse would challenge with two runs in the top of the sixth, sending Collins to the bench...but Wadwell pitched the Cards out of danger and secured the win.

Wadwell entered the second game for Louisville when starter Chelsea Leonard had to leave with an injury and benefitted from a four run fourth inning by the Cards to break away from a 1-1 score. Bemis swatted another two run blast, this one down the left field line, to help give the Cards all the runs they would need for the win.

Syracuse managed a run in the sixth and two in the seventh off Wadwell but could not catch the Cards. Wadwell finished with 11 strikeouts.

Louisville (29-15, 8-5) moves to 3rd place in the Big East with the wins and returns to action on Saturday with a doubleheader against St. John.

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A nice win last night also for the men's baseball team over WKU 7-4. I was lucky enough to run into Lady Cards head basketball coach Jeff Walz while at Jim Patterson Stadium and we chatted briefly about the upcoming season. We also discussed a certain Cardinal recruit but neither of us are going to mention her by name or the possiblility of her arriving on the Cardinal campus just yet. Don't want to jinx it, but if it happens...Cardinal women's hoops will benefit greatly. Hopefully, the pictures our buddies Shannon over at Cardinal Dominance and Charlie at UofL Card Game took of me and Jeff turned out OK and they'll send me a copy. And, yes...Sonja was disappointed she wasn't there to be a part of the photo shoot.

Written by Paul
4/22/10