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.

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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.

Meet Colby Wherry...R Heat Lightning out of Oaks

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THUNDERSTORM TUESDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE:



"C-Dub" has been the Lady Cards
four year starter at shortstop.

-Wherry gets it done at shortstop

-R Heat Lightning out of Oaks

-A look at the Oaks.

With a quiet day ahead in women's sports at UofL, but a huge road trip ahead for Sandy Pearsall's softball team...WE thought we'd take a look at "Miss Steady" for the Cards...shortstop Colby Wherry.

Wherry, a senior out of Goodlettsville, TN.,showed up on the Louisville campus in 2008 after a successful four year stint at Beech High School...where she was all-district, mid-state and also a four year letter winner in basketball and soccer. She laid claim to the shortstop position and hasn't looked back since. She started all 54 games of UofL at short her freshman year and was named 3rd team All-BIG EAST. She held down the left side of the infield with another freshman...Chelsea Bemis...and was also named BIG EAST Player of the Week once.

Her sophomore year produced even better things. Named to the 2nd team All-BIG EAST..she led the nation in the "Toughest to Strike Out" category...with only 3 whiffs in 172 plate appearances. Colby was third on the team in batting...with an average of .366. She was also a Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Great Lakes Region team member.

The great success continued as a junior. Still starting in every game...she was one of the Cards most dependable hitters and named to the BIG EAST 3rd team. This year, she's currently third in batting average and part of a strong batting lineup that includes her four year teammate Bemis, Alicja Wolny, Hannah Kiyohara, Maggie Ruckenbrod, Taner Fowler, Katie Keller and Kristin Austin.

Wherry is majoring in business and the daughter of Randy and Angie Wherry.

Louisville takes to the road beginning tomorrow to finish regular season BIG EAST play against Georgetown and Syracuse. The Cards are currently in 4th place in the BIG EAST and will host the BIG EAST Tournament May 12-14 at Ulmer Stadium. Here's hoping the Louisville rain doesn't follow the Lady Cards to Washington and Syracuse.

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One of the favorites for the Kentucky Oaks...R HEAT LIGHTNING...is out of the race now. Trainer Todd Pletcher reports that the Grade 1 Winner was scratched after a workout when heat was discovered in her knee.



Todd Pletcher trained R Heat Lightning
to two wins this spring...but she's
out of the Kentucky Oaks



'We noticed back at the barn that she seemed to be a little off in her right front leg. We checked her and we could feel some heat in her right knee. We consulted with the owners and the decision was made to withdraw her from the race." Pletcher informed media.

She had won the Gulfstream Oaks and Davona Dale by a combined 15 lengths in her last two outings and was Paul's pick for the OAKS.

"It's a shame." Pletcher added. "A filly like this at the top of her game and with a chance to run in the OAKS." 

She has been taken to Rood & Riddle Hospital in Lexington for further observation. 

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So...who are the prime contenders for the $1 million race for three year old fillies now that R HEAT LIGHTNING has been withdrawn? WE'LL give you five names that WE'RE considering now:

1) DAISY DEVINE. Has to be the 'Cinderella' story of the OAKS. Purchased as a yearling for $5500 dollars by Andrew McKeever, she's been on fire lately in New Orleans...finishing second in the Silverbulletday Stakes and winning the Fairground Oaks.

Lilacs and Lace won the Ashland States by a
length and paid $99.40 to win under Javier Castellano.

2) JOYFUL VICTORY. If it rains on Oaks Day...forget about the rest of them. She's absolutely loving the sloppy track conditions here at Churchill during her morning works and trainer Larry Jones brings this filly in to Louisville after a almost nine length win in the Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn. She'll sit off the pace and swoop these if traffic allows. She's Sonja's pick.

3) KATHMANBLU. Turned in a very impressive work at Churchill Saturday...going five furlongs in 1:10.80. Toss out her 3rd place finish at Keeneland in the Ashland Stakes as the favorite...she's a dirt
runner, not poly track. Has run big at Churchill in the past..third in the Breeders Cup Filly Turf, won the Golden Rod stakes by eight lengths and took Sweetest Chant and Rachel Alexandria Stakes in addition.

4) ZAZU. Been training on the West Coast for trainer John Sadler and working six and seven furlongs impressively. Clocked a 1:24.20 at Hollywood last out. Finished second in the Santa Anita Oaks. Looks to be one of those horses that is getting ready to peak at the right time and getting stronger every day. Paul's new pick for the win after the defection of R Heat Lightning. California Girls...gotta love em.

5) LILACS AND LACE. Was the upset winner of the Ashland States at a handsome price and is trying dirt for the first time. We think she'll adapt well, though, to Churchill's surface....if breeding is any indication. Loves to stalk the pace and pounce at the end. She'll have plenty of speed to chase and has won three out of six lifetime races. Longshot special.

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We had a reader e-mail with us wondering about the status of former Lady Cards point guard Deseree "Dez" Byrd. We haven't heard anything about her lately...and she used to read CARDINAL COUPLE...so if you're out there Dez...drop us a line....or if anyone has an update on her...let us know at cardinalcouple@insightbb.com
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Softball wins two to advance to regional final

Jordan Trimble's hot bat helped the Cards take two Saturday in Knoxville.

With their backs to the wall after losing to Virginia yesterday, Sandy Pearsall's University of Louisville softball team knew that wins would be the only thing able to get them to the regional final on Sunday against Tennessee. They pulled off the feat, beating Ball State 5-1 and Virginia 7-4 Saturday to reach the final game.

After watching the Vols send Virginia to the losers bracket, Louisville faced Ball State. BSU took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first but Louisville tied the game in the top of the third with back to back doubles by Vanessa James and Melissa Roth.

The Cards took the lead in the top of the fourth when Alicja Wolny's single brought home Jordan Trimble. Louisville added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh for the final margin.

Tori Collins (18-5) went the distance for Louisville on the mound...allowing
seven hits and striking out six

The Cards started off the rematch against Virginia by scoring two runs in the top of the first when Trimble singled, Chelsea Bemis drew a walk and both scored on a Wherry double.

Louisville added a run in the fourth with another Trimble single and another Wherry double. The top of the seventh saw Louisville increase the lead to 7-0 when Jennifer Esteban opened with a single, Austin drew a walk and Roth loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch. Trimble responded with a 2 RBI double and Roth scored next when Bemis grounded out. Wherry blooped a single to bring home Trimble to end Louisville's scoring.

The Cavs did rally for four runs in the bottom of the seventh...but Kristen Wadwell was able to finish the game and get the win. She allowed four runs, two earned, on seven hits and struck out three to improve her record to 18-11.

The Cards will face Tennessee at 1 p.m. Sunday in the finals. If they win, they'll play the Vols again for the championship.