Monday Cardinal Couple -- Softball fells LSU , Hoops ends regular season tonight

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- LeCoq closes door on Tigers

- Syracuse vs. Louisville in WBB tonight


The start was shaky for the #15 Louisville softball team Sunday in the Citrus Classic but the end result successful as the Cards defeat #11 LSU 6-2.

Starter Caralisa Connell was having "one of those afternoons" ...loading the bags with three straight walks in the second inning. A wild pitch made it 2-0 LSU and a fourth base on balls loaded the bases again with two outs.

Exit Connell, enter Rachel LeCoq. End LSU threat with a strike out.

Louisville responded in the top of the third against LSU pitcher Rachelle Fico. Katie Keller singled and reached home on a Alicja Wolny double. Maggie Ruckenbrod's base hit plated Wolny and the Cards had tied the game.

UofL took the lead in the fifth inning, Keller scoring after receiving a base on balls and scoring on a Ruckenbrod fielders' choice.

The Cardinals increased the lead to 5-2 with a couple of runs in the sixth. Hannan Kiyohara singled and scored with two outs on a Jennifer Esteban hit. Esteban got greeted at home as well when Keller delivered a single.

Maggie Ruckenbrod delivered an insurance run in the final inning with a bomber over the left field fence to make it 6-2...her first home run of the season.

LeCoq (7-1) with the clutch relief performance...holding LSU to just three hits and no runs in 5.1 innings. The Cards produced 11 hits total.

"This was a great day for Louisville softball. I thought our team did a tremendous job and really came ready to play. A big key to our win was Rachel LeCoq shutting down LSU. I also thought we had great offense throughout the game." said Sandy Pearsall after the triumph.

Jordan Trimble has been sick and did not play. Jasmine Smithson-Willett has been battling a stress fracture but saw limited action. Hoping two of my favorite players on the team can get back to full time participation soon.

Louisville returns to Ulmer Stadium for the Red and Black Classic March 8-10. A good group of opponents coming in to play...Michigan, Miami (OH), Austin Peay and Illinois State.

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After a triple overtime loss Saturday to Villanova, no one could blame the Syracuse women's basketball team for looking for a little redemption tonight against Louisville. Although an NCAA bid appears to be a certain thing for the #22 Orange, who are 22-6 overall and 10-5 in the BIG EAST, the chance for a "double bye" in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament hinges on a win over Louisville tonight.

Quentin Hillsman isn't a confident man.

" I worry about it every day. I'd be worried if we beat Villanova because we've been on both ends. We're not in that room with that little S-curve thing they talk about...Hopefully we come out Monday and have some legs left after this and win this Louisville game."

The Orange have an RPI of 46 and could fall no further than 6th with a loss to Louisville. The prevailing sentiment is that the NCAA will take eight BIG EAST teams...
(Connecticut, Notre Dame, Louisville, St. John's, Syracuse, South Florida, DePaul and Villanova.)...but a 'Cuse win would guarantee a nicer seeding...since SU has lost their last three games.

Louisville is guaranteed a top four finish and double bye in the BIG EAST Tournament regardless of how they do...they own the tie-breaker over St. John's if they end up at 11-5 in conference each.

The players that the Cards have to worry about? It begins in the paint with Kayla Alexander, the 6'5" do-it-all center. She and forward Carmen Tyson-Thomas had 22 points and 11 rebounds each against 'Nova Saturday.

Head Coach Quentin Hillsman will be active on the
sidelines tonight.

Guards Brittany Sykes and LaShay Taft are big-time ballers that will challenge the Cards. Elashier Hall a talented player who scores well in the 'Cuse offensive set. Rachel Coffey a great shooter who is also tough defensively.

Louisville has their work cut out for them. The Cards will need to go toe-to-toe with the aggressive, physical, chip-on-their-shoulder Orange and if Louisville can get the three-ball working (Laura Sweeney from Villanova blasted the 'Cuse from the deep Saturday) the Cards chances for success go up dramatically.

Game time 9 p.m. on the CBSSN network.

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Sandy Is Back To Her Laundry

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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


( Staff Columnist Sandy Walker brings us her weekly Laundry list of UofL women's sports today. Voted 'most likely to spin and rinse' by her high school classmates...Sandy is a fixture at Cardinal Womens' athletic events and likes to sit in the visiting team's section...where she hands out detergent samples, discount coupons and maps to the UofL coaches' houses. Folded up and in the hamper, we bring you Sandy.)


Thanks to a back up repair call for Sandy's washing machine she is again showing off various team issues but it seems that she is getting off to a slow start.

ALL THINGS SOFTBALL



Hannah Kiyohara

Louisville junior Hannah Kiyohara was named as BIG EAST Softball Player of the Week.  She is hitting .462 with a .588 on-base percentage and went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI to give Louisville an 8-0 win against Stony Brook. 



Also recognized was junior Rachel LeCoq who was named to the Big East honor roll. 

She had two wins and did not allow an earned run in 22.0 innings. In 3 complete games she pitched two shutouts, struck out five and only giving up one walk.

Rachel LeCoq

This years complete team roster can be found at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/lou-w-softbl-mtt.html

PROMOTIONS

The team has released their 2013 promotional schedule which includes fan friendly giveaways, special events and season long promotions.   The first fans specials are set for March 12 v Western KY and March 20 against IU where fans can enjoy dollar hot dogs and beer.  Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for the outfield or take advantage of comfortable chair seats in the stadium.

With most home games at Ulmer Stadium have no admission the school is still offering a “2013 season ticket” which includes additional promotions, team schedule and the right to enter ticket stubs for special season long give-aways.  The list of current season promotions can be found at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/021813aaa.html.

SCHEDULE

The next game is at home for the 8-2 Cards against Kent State in the Cardinal Classic this Friday at 2:30.  The complete season schedule is shown at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/lou-w-softbl-sched.html.

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BASKETBALL

Congratulations to the basketball women as they completed their return defeat of DePaul.  In case you want more on this match or the game recap, stats and notes can be found at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/021713aad.html.

Be sure and mark your calendar for tomorrow night’s 7:00 KFC YUM! CENTER game against the University of South Florida who is displaying a deceptive season record of 17-7 and BIG EAST 6-5.  This will be the Lady Cards next-to-last regular season home game and has not been announced as televised by any national stations. Come downtown and put your bucket in the seats so your support for the team can be shown.  We were fortunate to defeat them earlier in the season while in Florida and it is a definite that they would love to return the favor.  The 21-5 Louisville Women have struggled all season with major injuries which have required new people to step up to each task as needed.  Although it is reported that Mo is healthy and can play this Wednesday  the injury report as a whole is no different and they need the fans to act as their 6^th player.
 

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LACROSSE
 

It is not the time to let the ladies of Louisville Lacrosse down now.   They have risen to their own expectations and plan to continue to cause others to take notice.  The 2-0 Cardinals next meet Old Dominion at the UL Lacrosse Stadium this Saturday at 1:00.   Dress warm and bring the hot chocolate.  It appears that this season will be worth the effort as their upset win over number 13 Ohio State shows.

DOUBLE AWARDS FOR BOLTJA!

Nikki Boltja

Nikki Boltja was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and also WomensLax.com Player of the Week.  She totaled 4 goals, an assist, a ground ball and a caused turnover in the 12-11 upset victory over the Buckeys.  Her complete bio can be found at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/mtt/nikki_boltja_733695.html.

LACROSSE RULE OF THE WEEK
 

“When a whistle blows, all players must stop in place. When a ball is ruled out of play, the player closest to the ball gets possession when play is resumed. Loss of possession may occur if a player deliberately runs or throws the ball out of play. “  Complete rules can be found at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/081506aab.html

Kellie Young’s complete team roster can be found at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/mtt/lou-w-lacros-mtt.html.  This is an extremely young team with four starting freshmen so come out and show them what Cardinal Support is all about.

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Wednesday Cardinal Couple - Softball at Baseball game

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Louisville Softball team throws out first pitch at UofL baseball game Tuesday night. (Photo by Charlie Springer-UofL
Card Game)

Wednesday Cardinal Couple

- Softball Team throws out first pitch at UofL baseball game.


-Game times changes for Saturday softball


-Kiyohara a true team player


The University of Louisville softball team took to the diamond a few days earlier than expected, and it wasn't at Ulmer Stadium for the NCAA Softball Regionals. 

Cardinal Couple's Sonja with Charlie Springer.  

Instead, Sandy Pearsall's squad traveled across campus to Jim Patterson Stadium to throw out the first pitch for the Louisville vs. Morehead baseball game. The Cards won the Senior Day contest 8-3 over the Eagles and used eight pitchers in the contest. 


None of the eight were from the softball team, as far as we know...but Collins, Leonard and Connell could have probably shut the Eagles down. 


Charlie Springer has the write up for you over at his fine site...UofL Card Game. Click the link below to read the Observer's observations.


Cards Send Seniors off in style with 8-3 win.


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ESPN has decided to pick up the second day of action at the Softball Regionals at Ulmer on Saturday. Not ESPN 2, U, 3, Classic or Desportes...but the original ESPN. 


They've also changed the start times for the games on Saturday. First pitch is at 3 p.m. now...when the  winners of Friday's games one and two will face off. The revised schedule:


Saturday


3:00 p.m.  GAME 3  Winner #1 vs. Winner #2
5:30 p.m.  GAME 4  Loser #1 vs. Loser #2
8:00 p.m.  GAME 5  Winner #4 vs. Loser #3


No changes to Sunday...and ESPN 2 still has the feed for that one...as far as we know. 

Jennie, Jennie !!

We'll see if Brent Musberger and Dick Vitale show up to do these. 


But, no problems if Jennie Finch does the color analysis again. Not only does she know softball...she's pretty pleasing to the eye as well.


Great opportunity for the softball Cards to get at least one game in on the flagship ESPN Network station. And, we hope one is all they'll have to play Saturday. That means that they've won two games and will be playing in the finals...scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.


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Cardinal softball player Hannah Kiyohara was selected to the BIG EAST First Team in the 2011 season. The freshman right-fielder started 42 of the Cards 49 games and batted .331 for the season. After such an auspicious beginning to her career, the sky looked the limit for the Auburn, Washington native. 


Instead, she became the Cards utility player her sophomore year. Seeing action in 35 of the Cards 53 games and starting 25 of them, Sandy Pearsall has used her at right-field, short shop, second base and also at designated hitter this year. 

We can't confirm it, but it is rumored she also filled in for J-Bone on public address duties and played the organ at games when Al Greener wasn't available.


When the decision was made to rest Kristin Austin and her sore hamstring in a couple of the BIG EAST Tournament games, Kiyohara took over right field and the Cards were in capable hands. 


Hannah Kiyohara defines the term "team player" and with Austin's graduation this year, we're confident that #24 will return to her right-field domain for the 2013 season. 

"Run over to the dorms, Becky, and see if
Hannah wants a little court time..."

Unless Sandy Pearsall loans her to Jeff Walz as a back-up point guard (she played basketball also at her high school, led the team in scoring and was First Team All-South Puget Sound League) or has her directing traffic at the corner of Floyd and Brandeis. 


If you need it done...and in a efficient "mannah"...call Hannah. 


( OK. Corny rhyme. We're outta here. See ya Thursday.) 
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SOFTBALL GOES TO 21-0 with 6-0 ROAD WIN OVER WKU

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4 run 1st inning key for Louisville


Ticker...NCAA Men: 


 Murray St. 58 - Colo. St 41 FINAL...
 Kansas St. 70 - Southern Miss 64 FINAL
 Louisville 69 - Davidson 62 FINAL
 Syracuse 72 - UNC-Asheville 65 FINAL
 Marquette 88 - BYU 68 FINAL                       
 Wisconsin 73 - Montana 49 FINAL
 Vanderbilt 79  - Harvard 70 FINAL
 New Mexico 75  - Long Beach St. 68 FINAL

 Kentucky 81 - Western Kentucky 66 FINAL
 VCU 62 - Wichita St. 59 FINAL                           
 Gonzaga 77 - West Virginia 54 FINAL
 Baylor 68 - South Dakota St. 60  FINAL


 Iowa St. 77 - Connecticut 64 FINAL 
 Colorado 68 - UNLV 64 FINAL
 Ohio St. 78 - Loyola 59 FINAL
 Indiana 78 - New Mexico St. 66 FINAL


      


THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Collins, Leonard hold WKU to 3 hits in 6-0 win.



-Tournament thoughts...


-(Here it comes again...) Play the WBB Bracket Challenge with CARDINAL COUPLE !!


The 14/15 University of Louisville softball team defeated host Western Kentucky 6-0 to improve to 21-0 on the season Wednesday evening. 

Senior Tori Collins and sophomore Chelsea Leonard combined to notch the Cards' 11th shutout of the season while juniors Alicja Wolny and Katelyn Mann and sophomore Hannah Kiyohara drove in two runs each.


"I was pleased with how we came out and scored four runs early and set a great tone for the game." said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We knew they would be a tough opponent and would constantly put pressure on us and we knew we would have to be aggressive."


The Cards put up four runs in the first. After Esteban and Kristin Austin singled, Taner Fowler drew a walk to fill the bases with Cards. Wolny followed with a single that scored two and Kiyohara singled to make it 4-0.

 

Louisville increased the lead to 6-0 in the third. Jordan Trimble was safe on a fielder's choice and went to third on a Kiyohara double. Mann drove them both home with a double to end the game's scoring. 


Collins went four innings, giving up three hits and fanning three. Leonard tossed the final three and allowed no hits while getting four KO's. 


Louisville travels to Sacramento, CA. next for the Sacramento State Capital Classic. The two-day event starts Friday. 


21-0. An incredible start to what just might be the most memorable season in Sandy Pearsall's coaching career at Louisville. The BIG EAST and Kentucky await down the road...but for now, these Cards are raking every pot. How this team isn't ranked in the top ten of NCAA Women's college softball is a mystery to us...


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"I am 99% certain that man was not Benjamin Franklin.."

- We're not sure...but while watching the First Four last night in the men's tournament, it looked like Dwight Schrute of THE OFFICE television show fame was sitting on the South Florida bench, wearing a suit and tie in the game against California. Or maybe it was the corned beef sandwich I was having...performing mind altering and sight hallucination symptoms. Whoa...

"No, I am NOT Mel Brooks and I'm getting tired of the references!"

- We like the NCAA's sly dealings at times when it comes to the Tournaments. On the men's side...Harvard vs. Vanderbilt. As Milt Wagner would say...two of those academic schools. Maybe they should skip the hoops and settle this one with GPA's and ACT scores...also how about, on the women's side...putting Louisville in the same region as Arkansas? Ex UofL coach Tom Collen could meet current Louisville coach Jeff Walz if both teams make it to third round. 


-Which letter of the alphabet is most represented in the women's tournament teams' names? It's "S" (Santa Barbara, Sacred Heart, Stanford, South Carolina, South Dakota State, St. John's, Samford, St. Bonnie and San Diego). Nine teams. Which popular letter is not represented? "J". No "J"'s in the women's bracket. "M" finished a close second with seven. If that's not a bracket choosing ploy, we've never seen one. 

Charlie's last name starts with an "S" also. 

"S rules!" says Sonja Sykes. A final four with Stanford, St. Bonnie, St. John's and Sacred Heart? Not bloody likely...


-Another NCAA WBB sly plot. Tennessee playing Tennessee-Martin? And guess who coaches one of the programs and played at the other? Not Geno...


Also, matching ex-BIG 12 Nebraska against current BIG 12 Kansas. Putting soon-to-be BIG 12 member West Virginia up against current BIG 12 member Texas? Well played, ye NCAA WBB bracket deciders!


-Biggest first round NCAA WBB blowout? Here's six candidates...


-UConn vs. Prairie View
-Notre Dame vs. Liberty
-Maryland vs. Navy
-Baylor vs Santa Barbara
-Stanford vs. Hampton
-Duke vs. Samford. 


We're going with Notre Dame. (Watch it go to overtime...)


Finally, here's a Shoni article that Jody Demling (or J-Dem, if you go the street vernacular route of names) did with her. Click the linkie and thanks to Commish Mark for sending it!






Shoni ready

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Guess what? We're having a bracket challenge for the Women's NCAA Tournament. Yes, that's right! You can enter the CARDINAL COUPLE contest on YAHOO and win a $25 Panera Gift Card if you do the best. (Tell me more, Monty!) 


"Just follow the link below and fill out your entries. You can join Yahoo, or enter using your Facebook or Google information. It's just that easy!" (Crowd gasps)


(But Monty...isn't that a difficult and time-consuming process?) 


"Hey, pal....life is a difficult and time-consuming process. We get one chance, one opportunity to make our mark on this spinning orb and we need to make the most of it. Bungee jumping, dining at Panera, filling out brackets, buying Easter baskets...it's all the same. DON'T MISS OUT ON THE CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL "ONE SHINING MOMENT" (cue soundtrack) IF YOU WIN THIS CHALLENGE. AND, IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE WINNING. IT'S ABOUT PARTICIPATION, ABOUT..." (...reaches for remote..changes channel.) 


Our ID is 814 and the password is ladycards.


LINKIE:


Cardinal Couple women's NCAA Bracket Challenge
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