Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Softball Dinner and Hoops

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Softball Dinner features Danielle Lawrie

- WBB faces St John's today

The 2013 University of Louisville Bullpen Softball dinner was held Saturday night at the Hyatt in downtown Louisville and featured Olympian and NCAA Championship pitcher Danielle Lawrie from the University of Washington. A capacity crowd packed into the Hyatt Ballroom to hear the evening's events that were emceed by Cardinal public address announcer and all-around good guy Sean Moth.

The evening began with a cocktail hour and silent auction that featured everything from Cardinal softball gear to bean bag boards and Charlie Strong Makers' Mark bottles.
 
Unfortunately, CARDINAL COUPLE's bid on a UofL Softball windbreaker and visor fell short of winning...but it was good to stand around and talk with the people in attendance...including Shoni Schimmel, Becky Burke and hundreds of Cardinal Softball fans.

Shortly before the crowd moved from the hospitality area to the ballroom tables, we caught up with freshman Jasmine Smithson-Willett and got a quick Q &A in.

She's thrilled to be at Louisville and really loves the city and her teammates. At first, she was a little overwhelmed by the speed and quickness of the college game but has adjusted nicely. She's willing to do anything for the team and mentioned that when Coach Pearsall was looking for left-handed hitters to do the slap hit and beat out throws to first, she jumped right and showed coach her ability to perform the maneuver. Her biggest smile came when we talked about the road trip coming up to Vegas and the chance for her family to come in from California and see her play.

Before we knew it, we were at our table and got to see several great videos about the team's preparation for the upcoming season and hear several players talk about their dedication and commitment to the team. Coach Carol Bruggerman then took over the podium and awards were presented to Tori (Collins) Heyman, Chelsea Leonard (who led the nation in saves) and Taner Fowler (All-American).

Next it was Coach Pearsall to the podium and she was effusive in her praise for her support staff, coaches and players. She recalled the great moments of last season and could hardly contain her enthusiasm when speaking about the current group of Softball Cards and the challenges they lay ahead for them.

"It's tough competition, but the girls that are back are a year older and that means quite a lot in softball" Pearsall informed the crowd.

At the end of her remarks, Coach was presented with an autographed bat from the players who helped her acheive her 500th. win last season.

"I really wasn't that aware of it when number 500 happened, but shortly after the game...my phone started exploding with texts congratualating me on the acheivement, mostly my players....they're a special group of ladies." Pearsall reflected.
 
Featured keynote speaker Danielle Lawrie has had an amazing journey in her young life and kept the crowd captive and hanging on each word as she recounted it. Chosen to play on the Canadian National Team at the age of eighteen...she was the pitcher that recorded Canada's first win ever over Team USA.

As she recalled her collegiate years at the University of Washington, Lawrie made note of the challenges she faced and her drive and desire to conquer them. From a extremely competitive family that includes a brother in Major League Baseball who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, she recalled how her father would never keep (and toss in the trash) any second place trophy that someone in the family had been awarded and that her brother wouldn't talk to her for three months after she beat him in a game of bean bag toss.

Lawrie was a wonderfully entertaining and inspirational speaker as she took us through her collegiate years and Olympic experience. Her message to the crowd and players was clear...set your goals and stay dedicated to acheiving them. After fielding a few questions from Sean Moth, Lawrie's time on the stage and the evening was over. It hardly seemed that it had started...

A excellent time with a very special group of college athletes, coaches and Cardinal fans last night. We appreciate the opportunity provided to us to cover the event and can tell you that Cardinal Softball is rip-roaring ready to go this year and the players and staff would love to see you support them even more than last year (if that's possible) at Ulmer Stadium.

We'll be there. We hope you join us! You DON'T want to miss it...

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( Quentin Voigt brings us the scout on Louisville WBB's next hardwood opponent today...the St John's Red Storm.)

ROCKIN' WITH THE RED STORM

St. John rolls into the KFC YUM! Center for a 1:30 p.m. match up against the Cards today. If you go, go early...because it's Louie the Cardinal Bird's birthday and free pizza, ice cream and cake will be provided pre-game for the fans. We think you should go. 

Joe Tartanella has been a coach at St John's for nine years but this is his first as the head coach. He took over for Kim Barnes Arico, who accepted the head coaching job at Michigan. She's currently 3-0 in the BIG TEN for the Wolverines. Tartanella is an excellent recruiter and has two players currently on the roster that he pulled away from ACC schools and will play next season. Danaejah Grant is a 5'9" guard who began her career at Clemson and will have three years remaining as a Red Storm. Selena Archer is a 6'4" post who originally signed with Miami and will have two years of eligibility for SJU.

St.John's averages 59.8 ppg and shoots 39% from the floor. They're 27.2% from beyond the arc. They hit 64.7% from the free throw line and average 40.8 rebounds a contest. The Johnnies dish out 11.5 assists a game, commit 14.1 turnovers and create 8.4 steals a game.

SJU is 9-8 on the year and 3-2 in the BIG EAST. Conference wins have come against Rutgers by four, Seton Hall by 28 and Pitt by 29. Losses occurred to Notre Dame by 24 and to Syracuse by three.

Shenneika Smith leads the SJU attack with 16.1 ppg . Nadriah McKenith adds 12.7, Amber Thompson is good for strong offensive and rebounding as well.

I don't see a lot of Red Storm rain dropping on Louie's birthday festivities today and the Lady Cards give him a 10-point birthday gift.

-Quentin Voigt


Smith and McKenith are better guards than any two Coach Walz can put out there and they proved it twice last year in sweeping the Cards. Does that mean they'll win again today? Not necessarily.

Tartanella is a good coach, but he doesn't have the ability that KBA had when she was there to get over 100% out of the Red Storm players.

Sho and Mo show has a command performance at the matinee today and the ever-steady "Need a" Slaughter?" (Of course, we need a Slaughter!) helps the Cards bring this one home in true Cardiac fashion. Louisville by 3 and it may take five extra minutes to do it in...

Quinnipiac beat you? Serioulsy?

Good guards will only get you so far. Rebounding, coaching and hitting free throws wins you games and I expect the Cards to do all three well today....at least well enough to handle the BIG EAST'S 11th. best rebounding defense team, worst free throw shooting team and a rookie coach. They're 9-8. The talent level suggests they could be 14-3. Losses to Qunnipiac and Boston U are puzzling...and they come to the YUM! on a two-game losing streak.

Time to return the favor to a squad that beat UofL twice last year. Time to get out a little "southern in-hosptiality" as we face the Red Storm maybe for the last time. Think about it, do you really want to schedule a non-conference home and away with a school that struggles to get 500 to watch them when they're at home? Beat 'em and wave good-bye as your showing them the door.

Paulie
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This Week's Laundry is Mixed Load

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Back from her trip to Bayou Country, Sandy Walker returns today to share her laundry list all things UofL sports relevant. The University of Louisville womens' basketball team plays Rutgers tonight in the KFC YUM! Center at 7 p.m. in BIG EAST action. Both teams are coming off of conference-opening losses, Louisville to DePaul and Rutgers to St. John's. Should be a good one...Rutgers center Monique Oliver coming off a sprained ankle. See you at the YUM! Jenny will have the recap Tuesday night/Wednesday morning)

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball signee, Maya McClendon, was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA seventh annual Under Armour Girls High School All-America Teams.  Check out details at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/121412aaa.html .

 

SOFTBALL

 

This year’s Bullpen Dinner will feature Olympian Danielle Lawrie as the keynote speaker. The annual dinner will be held in the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday January 26 at 7:30 p.m.   You can find out now to be a part of the celebration by checking out http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/121012aab.html .

 

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LACROSSE

 

By a vote of the players the lacrosse team has again named the trio of Katie Oliverio, Monica Negron and Janaye Dzikewich as this year’s captains.

 

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WOMEN’S HOOPS ON TV


 

THIS WEEK PER NCAA.COM

Tuesday	Rutgers at Louisville	CBS SN	7 p.m.
	Detroit at Green Bay	horizonleague.com	8 p.m.
	Utah vs. Colorado	Pac-12 Network	8 p.m.
	Stanford vs. California	Pac-12 Network	10 p.m.
Wednesday	Texas at West Virginia	WVUSports.com	7 p.m.
	Oklahoma at TCU	FSSW Plus	8 p.m.
	Cleveland State at Illinois-Chicago	horizonleague.com	5:30 p.m.
	Kansas State at Texas Tech	FSSW	8 p.m.
Thursday	Virginia at Georgia Tech	ESPN3	7 p.m.
	Wake Forest at Florida State	ESPN3	7 p.m.
	North Carolina at North Carolina State	ACCDN/YT	7 p.m.
	Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona	NAU-TV	8:35 p.m.
	Iowa at Wisconsin	BTN	8:30 p.m.
	Illinois at Northwestern	BTN.com	8 p.m.
	Nebraska at Indiana	BTN	6:30 p.m.
	Wright State at Milwaukee	horizonleague.com	8 p.m.
	Central Michigan at Toledo	STO	7 p.m.
	Texas A&M at Kentucky	FSN	6 p.m.
	Missouri at Tennessee	SPSO	8 p.m.
	Florida at Mississippi State	SUN	8 p.m.
	Georgia at Alabama	CSS	9 p.m.
	A&M-Corpus Christi at McNeese State	ESPN3	6:30 p.m.
	Louisiana-Monroe at Troy	Sun Belt Network	1 p.m.
	Seattle at New Mexico State	AggieVision	8:30 p.m.
Friday	Washington State vs. Southern California	Pac-12 Network	11 p.m.
Saturday	Villanova at Pittsburgh	BETV	6 p.m.
	Portland State at Northern Arizona	NAU-TV	8:35 p.m.
	West Virginia at Kansas State	FSN	4 p.m.
	TCU at Iowa State	Cyclones TV	7 p.m.
	Texas Tech at Oklahoma	SSTV web stream	8 p.m.
	Detroit at Cleveland State	horizonleague.com	2 p.m.
	Youngstown State at Valparaiso	horizonleague.com	2:35 p.m.
	Wright State at Green Bay	horizonleague.com	3 p.m.
	Illinois-Chicago at Loyola Chicago	horizonleague.com	3 p.m.
	FIU at UALR	Sun Belt Network	2 p.m.
	Pepperdine at BYU	BYUtv	4 p.m.
	Idaho at New Mexico State	AggieVision	8:30 p.m.
Sunday	Boston College at Clemson	RSN	1 p.m.
	Georgia Tech at North Carolina	ESPN3	2 p.m.
	Miami (Fla.) at Florida State	RSN	3 p.m.
	Fordham at Charlotte	CBS SN	2 p.m.
	Rutgers at Notre Dame	ESPNU	3:30 p.m.
	Wisconsin at Michigan	BTN	2 p.m.
	Michigan State at Illinois	BTN	4 p.m.
	Nebraska at Penn State	ESPN2	2 p.m.
	Oklahoma State at Texas	FSN	12:30 p.m.
	Baylor at Kansas	FSN	2:30 p.m.
	Southern Miss at Memphis	FSN	4:30 p.m.
	Toledo at Bowling Green	STO	2 p.m.
	San Diego State at Colorado State	CBS SN	5 p.m.
	Ohio State vs. Arizona State	Pac-12 Network	3 p.m.
	Colorado vs. Utah	Pac-12 Network	5 p.m.
	Lafayette at Navy	CBS SN	12 p.m.
	Tennessee at Florida	ESPNU	11:30 a.m.
	South Carolina at Georgia	CSS	1 p.m.
	Kentucky at Missouri	ESPNU	1:30 p.m.
	Alabama at Ole Miss	SPSO	2:30 p.m.

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BASKETBALL

RUTGERS AHEAD

 

The women will host Rutgers at home tonight at 7:00

Tonight one of my favorite coaches comes to town bringing with her a Rutgers University squad which represents one of 3 distinct schools which she has brought to NCAA final 4 contests.    At times I think Vivian Stringer is one of the lesser known still active women's basketball  "foundation" and coaches.    Any lack of notoriety is due not to a lack of accomplishments or caring but instead to her more quiet and stoic outward appearance under which radiates the fire of a competitor and champion.  To it we are truly privileged to have such a remaining active icon of the sport coming to our arena.

Through life she has faced and overcome multiple personal challenges and tragedies in the same way she teaches her players to handle and overcome issues.     Her addressing of challenges began as far back as 1955 when she legally fought and defeated her high school which had refused her as a cheerleader because she was black.     Adversity has continued to arise through severe medical issues of a child, the unexpected death of a husband and a media firestorm as late as 2007 when Don Imus, on his radio show, made derogatory racial remarks about her successful Rutgers team.   

She is currently the 3rd most winning coaches in women's basketball history and is leading all active NCAA women's basketball coaches.   While achieving this level of success her quiet but powerful on and off the court demeanor causes her to also be known and thought of by her players as their 2nd, and for a few their first, mom for their lifetimes.

With this history no one should under estimate any team she brings to town.  While this year’s team may not appear to be one of her strongest threats it would be foolish to take them lightly.  They come to tonight's nationally broadcast game, on the CBS sports network, with a Sunday 4 point loss to St John's in a contest similar to Louisville's Saturday loss to DePaul where they fought back from a major point deficit only to come up a bit short in the end.   This makes both teams hungry and eager for a contest which would restore their credibility.   The ending story in the Rutgers loss is a particularly sore point as after battling back to a 2 point game with less than a minute left, a referee mistakingly indicated the St John's player had a 2 shot foul where a 1& 1 was correct.  After a missed first shot, the error was discovered and the player was given a chance, and was successful, in hitting the 1 & 1 in a do-over which sealed the win for St John's.   I think this unfortunate situation, which ended their 9 game home winning streak, might create a greater than normal desire for a comeback win.  

The Scarlet Knights high scoring threats in Big East play have been Sophomore Betnijah Laney  and Senior Erica Wheeler while 6'2" F/C Monique Oliver's 11.1 ppg. average leads the team in scoring for the season. This could provide an exciting match-up with Louisville's Sara Hammond.      See you at the pre-game warm ups.   

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BIG EAST BASKETBALL NEWS
 

There is hope for all as on Saturday Notre Dame showed a national television audience that currently top-ranked Connecticut could be defeated as a 73-72 score took the Huskies down at their home arena in Storrs.

Sandy W.