.
FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Captain's Quarters Cardinal Caravan conquers storms, captivates capacity crowd. 

Athletic Director Tom Jurich and S.I.D. Kenny Klien
were all smiles after seeing the huge crowd for Louisville's
Cardinal Caravan.

Never underestimate the power of the Cardinal Spirit. Thursday's final Cardinal Caravan stop landed at Captain's Quarters off River Road in Louisville and provided a capacity crowd of over 1600 an hour long show which included UofL coaches, players, LadyBirds and a great venue for catching up on Cardinal Sports. 

UofL womens basketball star Tia Gibbs poses with
Sonja and WBB fans Irv and Peggy Schmidt...

They also beat the weather, which started out hot and humid and turned into strong storms minutes after the  gala affair ended. 


Emcees Drew Deener and Howie Lindsey kept the show moving with the skill of seasoned, professional event organizers as Sandy Pearsall, Ken Lolla, Dan McDonnell, Karen Ferguson-Dayes, Kenny Carter, Anne Kordes and other Cardinal coaches and players spoke to the appreciative crowd.


From what we heard, this could be an incredible season for Cardinal Sports this fall, winter and spring.

Donna Floyd (center) and other eager Cardinal fans
wait to talk to, get pictures with and autographs from
Cardinal athletes. 

Tom Jurich began the festivities with glowing reports on the success and popularity of Cardinal Athletics and told us of his hopes to surpass the record-setting performances of last year's UofL squads in the upcoming season. 


Football, both basketball squads, baseball, softball, both soccer teams...the list seems non-stop for Cardinal teams poised to contend for conference titles, national championship runs. The enthusiastic fans in attendance roared their approval as Tom and the entourage educated the crowd. 

Cardinal Couple's Sandy Walker (left) and Sonja enjoyed the
afternoon activities and interaction with tons of UofL fans 

Tom, you've engineered the perfect example of what excellence in college athletics can be and cultivated a fan base that loves and appreciates it.


If you think Tom is fired up about UofL sports, you should hear his head coaches discuss the subject. It's not hard to see why Cardinal athletes strive to be the best they can be when you hear their coaches and leaders express their passion about their teams, players and philosophies.

The lovely, talented and witty Tia Gibbs

The coaches were a big hit. The players in attendance also drew huge throngs of crowds seeking autographs, pictures and handshakes. Chane Behanan, Gorgui Dieng, Russ Smith, Mike Marra from Rick Pitino's men's basketball team were swamped and surrounded by adoring fans. Tia Gibbs was sporting an ear-to-ear grin as she greeted womens' basketball fans eager to discuss the season, her rehab from surgery ( she's healed and ready to go...look out BIG EAST) and the team. 

Sara, Linda and Chris Stewart had a rail-bird view of
Cardinal Caravan

When Tia informed us her mother reads Cardinal Couple each and every morning, we promised to provide nothing but sparkling and positive coverage of "Butler Bear's"  performances this year.


We understand perfectly. If mama isn't happy, no one's happy. We look forward to writing many rave reviews of #25's domination this season as a part of Jeff Walz's top ten Lady Cards ballers. As Asia and Shoni would say: 


"We are the...CARDINALS!" 


From the beginning of the festivities at 5:30 to the prize drawings one hour later, the event was non-stop, wall-to-wall Cardinal conversation, coverage and   camaraderie. 

"Coach P." Softball coach Sandy Pearsall gives us a smile
as she prepares to address the enthusiastic crowd. 

The skies were threatening, though...and the cold front had dropped the temperature at least 20 degrees by the riverfront stage by 6:15. And, the rains came about 30 minutes later...as autograph signing and other post-Caravan activities were moved indoors.


The crowd got what they came for, though...and the celebration was the first of many that Cardinal fans will no doubt have in the upcoming months.

UofL head baseball coach Dan McDonnell has Omaha
on his mind...with his team hopefully getting to the
College World Series.  

"When you look at the quality coaches and hear them and Jurich talk about their pride and involvement in Cardinal Sports...how can you not be pumped and fired up about Cardinal Nation?" a smiling Caravan attendee told me, displaying his basketball team picture that Chane Behanan and several other players had autographed.


Our sentiments exactly!

Go, Cards, go! 

It's coming, folks. The full-out, intense team practices in August. The opening games for football, volleyball, field hockey and other Cardinal teams. The roar of the red-clad crowd, the fist-pumping, hive-fiving excitement of Louisville's finest participating and winning on fields and courts. 


L1C4.

'The other' Tom and Tilly the Tour Guide double team Sonja

It's an attitude. It's a philosophy. It's big, it's here and now and it's going to be a lot of fun to attend, to cover and be a part of. A great kickoff to the excitement ahead took place Thursday at the Cardinal Caravan at Captain's Quarters and we can't wait for this "Card Party" to get rollin' down the tracks!
.
..
... 

Sunday Cardinal Couple - Sunday with Sonja

.
SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


KYVIN GOODIN ROGERS DECOMMITS FROM LOUISVILLE


-Some UofL WBB notes


-Night racing at Churchill kicks into gear


- Cardinal Baseball 


CARDINAL COUPLE has learned that 2013 verbal Kyvin Goodin-Rogers from Marion County has de-committed from Louisville and re-opened her recruiting. A good, reliable source has confirmed the ASGR reports of this move. 


Although we have no firm basis to say why she has de-committed, the logical assumption is that she's paid attention to the recruits that UofL is pursuing, the strong nucleus of current Cards on campus and felt her playing time may not be significant upon arriving at UofL. 


Goodin-Rogers will play her senior season with Cardinal commit Makayla Epps at Marion County.


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


Welcome to the start of our two-month Writers Days at Cardinal Couple! Starting today, and running through July...our writers will have a weekly column for you on whatever they want to write about. I get to kick it off, followed by David Watson tomorrow, Sandy Walker Tuesday, Jenny O'Bryan Wednesday, Mark "The Commish" Schneider Thursday, Reader Submitted Articles Friday and Paulie on Saturday. 

Me and Poobah. 

I've seen a couple of these writer's ideas for their inaugural articles and I do believe you'll enjoy their writings. 


We'll break in, of course, with any headline news about UofL Women's Athletics as needed. 


So, get out the tent, grill and bean bag boards....we're on Summer Break here at Cardinal Couple and got the khaki's and tank tops on! Volleyball, anyone? 


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


A glance at the current roster listing for Jeff Walz's basketball team shows 13 girls listed. We now know that freshmen Cortnee Walton will wear #13 and Megan Deines will wear #15. 

Walton inherits a jersey that has some great history to it. #13 was "C.B.'s" number and Candyce put up some great numbers in it. Toni Slaughter (Antonita's older sister) wore it as well. Jill Morton shone in it from 1997-2000 and Jenny Pearson had it back in 1992.

Deines dons a number last worn by Tiera Stephen in the 2009-10 season. Before that, Tatjana Boston, Sabrina Minter and Jenny Knight checked in with it. One of my favorite Lady Cards of all-time, Jody Martin had it on her back from 1991-94. Megan wore #33 in high school. Monique Reid probably wasn't ready to turn it over to her.

So...returning star Monique Reid will be back in her #33 for her senior year. Tia Gibbs will put on #25 again. You'll see those two numbers out on Denny Crum Court a lot in 2012-13. 

Shoni indicating that the Cards have two BIG EAST
titles in the future? 

The official roster makes no mention of Monny Niamke yet. We're told that she'll be a Cardinal, though...so we'll have to wait before we can give you her number. 


The roster has three seniors (Harper, Taylor and Reid), four juniors (Vails, Slaughter, Shoni and Gibbs), four sophomores (Hammond, Smith, Jude and Dyer) and two freshmen (Walton and Deines).


Only 150 or so days until the KFC YUM! Center starts rocking again to the sound of UofL WBB cheers. 


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

Downs after Dark! 

Churchill Downs kicked off June Night Racing on Saturdays with a better than average card for the historic oval. Three stakes races were featured and favorites won two of them. Rothko had no trouble in the Aristides Stakes and Bizzy Caroline enjoyed her return to the turf by winning the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap. The upset special was Island Bound in the Winning Colors Stakes...a flying outside, from far back finish with Leandro Goncalves on board to best the field at 9-1 odds.  


If you are a fan of jockeys Corey Lanerie or Manny Cruz, you were probably pretty happy during the final four races of the evening. They split the wins equally and each had three winners for the night.


Night racing is a whole different scene than days at Churchill. The crowd is larger, younger, more active and the atmosphere of the track is more "party" than racing. I enjoy it. 


One "twenty-something" patron last night expressed it pretty well as we were getting ready to leave and turn the rest of the night over to the younger ones:


" When I was younger, my dad and uncle would bring me out here for day racing sometimes and it was boring as h--l for me. This is completely opposite. The crowd is big, everybody is having a great time and the music is fantastic. I haven't bet a race yet. My dad and uncle tried night racing once last year, didn't enjoy it. I'd come every Saturday night, though, if they offered it. Babes, beer, buddies and tunes. Pretty sweet. Imagine if they'd add like slots and poker."  


(Hopefully someday, young man...someday)


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


Tough loss for the guys last night in baseball. 16-4. Ouch. Arizona advances in the winners bracket.


Drops Dan McDonnell's squad to the losers bracket in the Tucson Regional. One more loss and season over. They play Missouri tonight at 7 p.m.

South Florida and Tennessee, two Louisville softball opponents, are headed home. They dropped out of the WCWS yesterday with losses. 


The FINAL FOUR are California, Alabama, Oklahoma and Arizona State. Cal needs to beat 'Bama twice today to get to the finals. ASU needs two wins over Oklahoma on Monday to do the same. Ex-Cardinal nemesis Jolene Henderson in the circle for the Bears who eliminated Oregon. 


Thanks for spending a portion of your Sunday with Sonja! See you next week! 

Wednesday Cardinal Couple - Softball at Baseball game

.

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.


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


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.


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

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.) 
.
..
... 

Wednesday doubleheader for Louisville softball

.
WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-#12 Louisville softball heads to Philly for doubleheader


-Bobby Petrino: What now?


-Louisville baseball downs UK 12-0


-More on Baylor and Mulkey


-Clark-Heard names assistant at WKU

Kristin Austin has the highest
batting average in the BIG EAST.

Louisville Softball (33-2, 7-2) takes a mid-week trip to the City of Brotherly Love for Philly cheese-steaks, a viewing of the Rocky statue and a double-header against the Villanova Wildcats. The BIG EAST foe is 25-12 on the season, 0-6 in BIG EAST action and comes into the game after getting swept by Connecticut in a three game series over the weekend. 


The Wildcats have the second best batter in the BIG EAST in Jamie O' Hara (.384). Molly Manning and Briana Fujii are the run producers with 21 RBI's each. In the circle, Caitlyn Delahaba is 13-8 and solid with a 2.79 ERA. Manning gets the call from the stripe as well and is 10-4 with a 3.11 ERA.

Tori Collins is one of three
pitchers Sandy Pearsall uses.

Louisville boasts the leading hitter in the conference in Kristin Austin, who is the only BIG EAST hitter batting over .400 on the year. Her .407 average is complemented with 30 runs scored and seven triples. Louisville has seven players in the starting lineup batting over .300. Sandy Pearsall has torrid Tori Collins, Chelsea Leonard and Caralisa Connell to choose from when the Wildcats are at bat. The trio has a combined 1.26 ERA and have fanned 252 batters in 234.1 innings. 


Louisville lost the first game to 'Nova 3-1 when the teams  last met on March 26th, 2011 but rallied to take the final two games of the series 5-3 and 12-5 the next day at Ulmer Stadium. Louisville leads the overall series 9-2.


The Cards return to Ulmer for a non-conference, 3-game weekend series against Longwood this Saturday and Sunday.


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

Arkansas AD Jeff Long

As we expected here at CARDINAL COUPLE, former UofL head football coach Bobby Petrino has been fired at Arkansas. Watching the news conference with Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long at the podium detailing the events and the reasoning behind the 'Bobster's' ousting showed us that Long had a hard time with the decision. He choked up several times when addressing the media and seemed to be portraying a man who was reluctantly relaying a difficult decision on a highly controversial situation.

Gotta wonder if wedding bells
will still ring for "JD" in June.
Seems Bobby already laid
down some serious cash for
the bridal shower.

He and the University did the right thing, though. They bonked the "win at all costs" mindset that persists at way too many Athletic Departments in the NCAA. Bobby lied, tried to cover up the lie and made an inappropriate hire and had an inappropriate affair with "the girl in the athletic department in volleyball shorts" Jessica Dorrell. Mention was also made that Petrino gave the ex-Arkansas volleyball player $20,000 large in cash. 


That's some pretty expensive "whoopee", son.


So, what now, Bobby Petrino? We're no life coaches here at CARDINAL COUPLE...but one would think that getting one's personal and family house in order would be job #1 for B.P. If that's even possible. 

Tell your story walking, pal.

We figure he'll eventually hit the job market again. And, there will be someone out there willing to take a chance on the inglorious philanderer...because he is a brilliant offensive football  strategist. Maybe we'll see a role reversal again. Bobby was John L. Smith's offensive coordinator at Louisville. Bobby hired John L. Smith at Arkansas. Now that John is head coach at Weber State, would the possibility exist that he bring Bobby on board and staff? 

With the firing, Bobby now has plenty of time
to "head out on the highway, looking for
adventure."

Stranger things have happened. 


WE hope that Petrino can get his deck of cards in order. WE hope that going from king to joker finally shows him that honesty, integrity and respect still have a viable place in today's society. But, in his case, we're not betting on it...


Can old dogs learn new tricks?

We applaud Arkansas for doing the right thing. WE realize that there are tons of disappointed Hog fans this morning. You have a right to be, but the reason you should be is that you got 'played' by your former head coach and it caught up with him.


For Bobby's response, click the link below...courtesy of Mike Rutherford over at Card Chronicle.


Bobby's farewell address


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


How about the UofL baseball team? Taking the road-show to Lexington last night and thumping #1 UK 12-0!  It was even worth turning off NCIS to watch...


We like Charlie Springer's take on the massive Cardinal win and you can view the "observer's" words at the link below.


UofL 12 - UK 0

Louisville is extremely fortunate to have such "diamond skippers" as Dan McDonnell and Sandy Pearsall. Two people of integrity, committed and dedicated to their players and both with a great sense of humor. 


Show your thankfulness for having these two here at UofL and get out and watch a few games at Ulmer and Patterson. Free admission and big fun. 


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

The NCAA may have a few more questions for Baylor head womens' basketball coach Kim Mulkey. Thanks to the several CARDINAL COUPLE readers who mentioned or sent the link. 


The implications aren't "death penalty" serious but could open a big can of Beef-a-Roni that the NCAA may not have the appetite to finish. 


Baylor, Mulkey may have some explaining to do, Lucy.

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

Finally, Michelle Clark-Heard has made an assistant coach hire down at WKU. She brings Margaret Richards aboard. The former Louisville and Weber State staffer and Michelle go way back. Once again, thanks to our eagle-eye CARDINAL COUPLE readers for the find. Linkie below.


Clark-Heard hires Richards as assistant at WKU

.
..
...

Cardinal Softball in good hands with Pearsall

.
friday cardinal couple...

-Sandy Pearsall had depth, experience and speed for Cardinal softball this year.

- A thriller in Memorial...

-One last chance to grab the bread...

-Watson replies

(With no UofL women's basketball news to report today, we use this opportunity to catch you up on two of our favorite sports at UofL...women's softball and men's baseball....Enjoy!)


CARDINAL COUPLE got the rare chance to hear both UofL women's softball head coach Sandy Pearsall and head baseball coach Dan McDonnell share the same stage last night and after hearing both speak about their programs...it's easy to get excited about both their upcoming seasons. We'll focus mainly on the softball team today...because that's what we do here at CARDINAL COUPLE...women's sports. Before we do, though...WE promised Coach Dan that we'd plug his upcoming Louisville Baseball Winter Camps. Here's the details...

-January 14-15, 21-22 at Jim Patterson Stadium (or various indoor facilities if weather dictates).

-Camp information.
Session 1-Pitcher/Catcher/Infielder Speciality Camp
Saturday, January 14th. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Session 2-Hitting Camp
Sunday, January 15th. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Session 3-Hitting Camp
Saturday, January 21st. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Session 4 - Pitcher/Catcher/Infielder Speciality Camp
Sunday, January 22nd. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

The camps are open to anyone in grades 1-12.

Coach Dan had this to say about them...

I'd like to invite everyone to the 2012 Winter Baseball camps. Our camps will be held at Jim Patterson Stadium and other indoor facilities on the University of Louisville campus. We will be offering two hitting camps and two defensive speciality camps. Our staff will help you improve your game through lectures, drills and game situations. The baseball season is right around the corner and we want to help you get ready!

Cost for the camps is $100 per session. Any camper attending multiple camps will receive a $25 discount off each additional purchase. You can contact Brian Murdorf at 502.852.1217 or bmundorf@louisville.edu for registration forms and more information.

The chance to learn and prosper from the teachings of the Cardinal baseball coaches is a great opportunity. Paul wishes they'd been around when he was struggling to hit a curve ball or hit the plate with a throw. No Derek Jeter here...

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

Coach Sandy Pearsall is Louisville softball. She took the job in 2000 to build the program from scratch. It's gone well for her and the University of Louisville. Four straight BIG EAST Tournaments at Ulmer Stadium. NCAA Regionals. One of the most competitive programs in the BIG EAST year in and year out. As Sandy prepares for 2012 (the team is already practicing) she's faced with some interesting challenges and great potential. Gone via graduation is the left side of the infield in Chelsea Bemis (3B) and Colby Wherry (SS). Competition is intense for these two spots and Coach Sandy informed me that she just might put two freshmen in the spots, duplicating what she did four years ago when Wherry and Bemis were freshmen.

Trimble can do it all!

Returning, though...are some pretty valuable and skilled players. Jordan (Jordy) Trimble sat out last season after breaking a ankle chasing a fly ball. She's back....Cardinal fans and looking great on the field. Pearsall let us know that the versatile Louisville Manual grad could play any of the nine positions on the field and she'd been seeing some time on the pitching mound in addition to her outfield skills. The bat has never been a problem for the redshirt sophomore and she's wowing the team and staff with her prowess. Look for Jordy to have a big season for the Lady Cards.

She's one of many that return with valuable game experience. Starters Alicia Wolny (1B), Jennifer Esteban (OF), Maggie Ruckenbrod (C), Kristin Austin (OF), Katie Keller (INF) and Hannah Kiyohara (INF/OF) all return to give the Cards a solid and powerful batting lineup. The three main pitchers on Pearsall's staff from last year return as well in Caralisa Connell, Tori Collins and Chelsea Leonard.

Recruiting has also been good for Coach Sandy. The freshmen are Trista Cox (C/1B), Kayla Soles (SS/3B) Kirsten Straley (OF) and Whitney Arion (SS/3B/OF). Arion had a great fall exhibition season with the squad and all four girls will compete for playing time.

Another great aspect for Cardinal softball this season is that beer will be available for purchase at home games. Whether or not that has kept attendance from capacity or not is anyone's guess...but it's nice to know that the ladies get the same privileges and concession capabilities as Coach Dan's team this year. None in the press box for us, of course...we'll have to sneak out and watch a few innings from the first base line and avoid Jack Wimsett...

Coach Pearsall is also having a skills camp...but it's full...so I guess we won't be sending Sonja out to run the bases with her gazelle speed and grace. Both coaches have banquets coming up, though...and here's the information on them...

SOFTBALL BULLPEN CLUB DINNER
Saturday, Jan. 28th. 7:30 p.m. @ The Galt House
Speaker is Natasha Watley - two time Olympic medalist.

BASEBALL
Friday, Feb. 3rd. 7 p.m. @ South Wing-KEC Center
Speakers are former Cardinal Trystan Magnuson and former New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettite.

We encourage our readers to support both these programs with your attendance at their games. WE took in softball a lot last year and really enjoyed the atmosphere, action and abilities of the Cardinal players. Ulmer Stadium is state of the art - the best softball park in the BIG EAST - and a great place to watch a game. The outfield berm is a fun, party atmosphere if you don't want to do the bleachers thing. Same goes for Jim Patterson Stadium, where Coach Dan's guys do battle. Both softball and baseball are great family venues as well and we hope are readers will "take themselves out to the ballpark" and root on both these top-flight and talented squads. 

CARDINAL COUPLE plans an interview with "Coach P" in a couple of weeks to get a little more in-depth on the season and squad and we invite you to join us at the Softball Bullpen Club Dinner.

Not to worry, the Lady Cards basketball team plays at 2 p.m. that Saturday...so you've got plenty of time to do both. For ticket information to the banquets, check out http://www.uoflsports.com/

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

Mathies (#1) celebrates the winning bucket over
the Lady Vols last night in Lexington. 

Got back home last night to catch most of the second half of the women's basketball game between top 10 Kentucky and Tennessee. What a thriller that one was! We're by no means ready to don blue shirts and memorize the Kentucky fight song, but you had to be impressed with the efforts of senior Kentucky guard A'dia Mathies against Pat's Vols. 34 points and a game winning, floating, driving score from the paint for the Louisville Iroquois grad with 4.3 seconds to go. A sold-out Memorial Coliseum. Pretty good stuff for a Thursday night in mid-January... 

We knew the Cats had something special when they trounced the Lady Cards earlier this season. They impressed us even more last night with their domination of Tennessee early and then their rally to regain the lead after the Vols seemingly had the game won. This Pat Summitt's squad was missing Tabor Spani last night, but played with a lot of confidence and pride to overcome a 11 point UK lead and take a three point advantage late in the game. Got a feeling we'll be seeing both of these squads march deep into the NCAA Tournament this March. 

As for Mathies, it may have been the best individual performance we've seen out of a player so far this season. Our Sandy Walker was at the game and hopefully she'll stop by later today with a few observations and comments. UK  61- Tennessee 60 in a classic fight to the final buzzer. South end girl...representin'...

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

WE'D also like to remind you that you have one more chance to win a $25 Panera Gift Card if you can correctly pick the winner and closest to the final score of the Louisville vs. Rutgers game Saturday afternoon. Frankly, we're gonna brag a little bit...since two CARDINAL COUPLE staffers have won the previous two contests...David Watson (St. John's) and Paul (USF). Think you have what it takes to knock us off our lofty perches? E-mail your winner and final score guess to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com by 1 p.m. Saturday. We'll even give you our picks for the game...

Paul. I see a hard fought battle, maybe overly defensive at times, but a close contest, low scoring that has Rutgers prevailing on their home court. Let the boo birds chirp, but I'm going Rutgers 56 - Louisville 51. I still love ya' Lady Cards...make a liar out of me!

Sonja. Walz vs. Stringer. What a matchup! The two are also good friends but they probably won't be bestowing compliments on each other during the forty minutes or war. Gotta stay with my Lady Cards in this one...they pull off the upset of #8. Let's say Louisville 63 - Rutgers 61.

David. The UofL men's team has had their burp at the banquet this season with the inexplicable loss to Providence in the Dunkin' Donut Arena. Time for the Lady Cards to have theirs. The experienced and deep Scarlet Knight squad gives Walz and company all they want. Rutgers 69 - Louisville 47.  Go ahead, blast away at me, readers. I'm used to it. Just don't bring my mama into it.

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

(We've received several e-mails and comments that have been unfavorable on a couple of David Watson remarks in his columns. WE have forwarded these to him and offered him a chance to reply. His comments are below. CARDINAL COUPLE does not always agree with columns written by our writers and contributors and their remarks are not the official stance of CARDINAL COUPLE on the items they address. Watson's words below)

First, let me start off by saying that the way Paul and Sonja have always described CARDINAL COUPLE to me is that it is the fan voice of UofL women's sports. Fans aren't always in agreement all the time. They have different viewpoints. Paul and Sonja run them all, though, unless profanity or obscenity gets involved. As it should be. 

Several of you have taken offense on a couple of comments I've made over the last couple of days. I would tell those of you upset with me that you have the right to be so. We're in America, land of the free and home of the brave. My comments were not designed to hurt or belittle any current, former or potential UofL women's basketball players. I am a big fan of the program and of many other UofL sports teams. If I have offended anyone with comments I've made, I am sorry I hurt your feelings or dismayed you. That was not my intent. I have been told that my sense of humor and sarcasm is hard to take at times.

That is something I must work on. Once again, apologies to those who have trouble with it.
Please rest assured that I respect and admire the young college athletes that compete in sport. I have a daughter that will be one next fall. I know what they go through.

Finally, I'd like to thank Paul and Sonja for giving me the chance to write for CARDINAL COUPLE and chance to address these items in an open forum. There are blogs and sites out there that would not.

I'll try to do better. I applaud the UofL fans out there that take time to read this blog and that faithfully cheer on women's sports at UofL. I'm a fan, too. I always will be.

GO CARDS and thanks for the comments.

David L. Watson

(Having known David for several years, I can testify on his great level of fan support. He drives in from Central Indiana dozens of times each year to watch various UofL sporting activities. Although we may not agree with his comments and phrasing at times...we will never censure or strongarm anyone who wishes to contribute here. We've suggested a more mild and moderate aprroach to him...he agrees that it's probably needed. Paul)
.

From a UofL trustee...name withheld

God bless Cardinal Couple. The day in, day out support they give UofL women's athletics, free of charge, is amazing. They let everyone speak. They do not restrict. I hope the readers of this site appreciate that. They do this with scant funding, no corporate backing and no official  of Louisville monetary support.

If you don't like it, my advice to you is to quit accessing the site. As a trustee and avid supporter of ALL UofL sports, I am very grateful for this site and the freedoms and accesibility it provides. I hope they continue to make it available. All people can write here and comment here. They promote UofL women's sports day in and day out. Our local newspaper and media outlets do not. As an individual who has seen times in years past where my freedoms and rights were not upheld, I thank Cardinal Couple for being what they are. God bless you Paul, Sonja, David, Jenny, Sandra and all who give this site to us.
.
..
...

Women's track takes BIG EAST Indoor Championships

MONDAY through the eyes of CARDINAL COUPLE:

-UofL takes title in BIG EAST indoor track and field.

-Cardinal softball wins final in Alabama

-Lacrosse wins opening game.

The University of Louisville women's track team captured their first indoor conference championship...with some strong performances by several individuals. Head Coach Ron Mann and his staff were also named BIG EAST Indoor Women's Coaching Staff of the Year. Louisville had to rally to get the title after leading on Day 1. It came down to the final event of the day, the 4x400 relay. Louisville got a inspired performance from Chelsea Brown, Margret Harris, Charachesicia Lockhart and Ahlivia Spencer to take third place in the final. scoring enough points to pass UConn and finish tops overall with 110 points. The Huskies ended up with 108.5.

Other Cardinal participants in the final day:

SHOT PUT

1st. Khadija Abdullah

2nd. Chinwe Okoro

3rd. D'Ana McCarty

4th. Amashi Kendall

60 METERS

2. Sarvina Richardson

5. Margert Harris

500 METERS

4. Ahlivia Spencer

3000 METERS

13. Kim Grieshaber
17. Monica Herdandez

18. Emily Borsase

HIGH JUMP

3. Michelle Theophille

7. Megan Schubert

POLE VAULT

6. Andrea Sabbatine

11.Chelsea Lucas

TRIPLE JUMP

4. Lockhart

17. Maggie Gilbertson

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

Softball ended their stay in Alabama with an extra inning win Sunday over UTSA 7-3. Trailing 3-2 going in to the top of the seventh inning, Katie Keller drove home pinch runner Tesha Payton to tie the contest. The teams remained scoreless until the Cards got four runs in the top of the tenth inning...a Chelsea Bemis double scored Jordan Trimble. After Colby Wherry reached on an error, Maggie Ruckenbrod hit a two RBI single. Wherry scored the final run when Hannah Kiyohara singled.

Jennifer Esteban and Bemis were named to the All-Tournament team.

Louisville returns to action Friday in the Red and Black Tournament over at Ulmer Stadium. SIU-Edwardsville and Boston University visit.

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

Louisville lacrosse got off to a strong start of the season by winning the home opener 18-4 over Binghamton. UofL's Katie Oliverio scored just eight seconds into the game. After two Binghamton scores, Emily Dashiell tacked on two points within 19 seconds of each other. Louisville led 11-4 at the half and shut out the Bearcats 7-0 in the second half.

The Cards were led Bergan Foley with 6 goals. Foley led the nation in goals last year. Sammy Allen and Dashiell finished with three each for the Cards. Freshman Ashley Herbst started at goalkeeper and had 12 saves while limiting Binghamton to just four points.

The lacrosse team returns to action Saturday at home against Old Dominion. Action begins at 1.

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

Louisville's baseball team went 3-0 over the weekend in the BIG EAST vs. BIG TEN Challenge in St. Petersburg, FL. Dan McDonnell has a strong pitching staff on this year's Cardinal team and a bunch of sluggers to score for him. No word yet from whether the Parrish House bunch that winters in Naples, Florida made the trip up.

.

Post game UofL vs. WVU comments, observations

MONDAY MORNING at CARDINAL COUPLE:







-David Watson weighs in on UofL win.



-From the post game presser



-By the numbers...



-Softball falls to Texas in final



-Baseball Red and Gray Scrimmage



Our special correspondent David Watson, pictured right, weighs in on the Lady Cards win over WVU Sunday Night at the KFC YUM Center as only he can see it...







What causes a team to shoot barely 25% for a game? Defense from the opposing team. And, that is the story of last night's epic contest in the KFC YUM! Center. WVU's effort against Jeff Walz's crew when it came to putting the ball in the basket can be compared to someone

tying the bumper of a car to the Sears Tower in Chicago. You aren't going to move and the building isn't moving either. Trip after trip, time after time..the Mountaineers would get one, two and sometimes three straight and dead on looks at close-in gimmies and fail to bottom out the net. Hand in the face, body on the shooter and no easy path to payout...the Cards probably are nowhere the match for WVU physically but sometimes finesse beats strength.



This is a big win, in many ways, for this young Louisville team. WVU is deep, aggressive, experienced and well coached. They know exactly what they want to do when they take it court, accomplished a lot of it last night (except for putting the ball in the basket) and Louisville beat them at their own game. I'm pretty sure Coach Walz wouldn't want to play that style of hoops the rest of the way out this season. They'll probably have to against Syracuse later this week. Most likely the same is in store when DePaul comes calling on the 23rd. USF likes to bump you around as well. Let's hope Walz's kids are stocking up on the Aleve and Ben-Gay.



How incredible is Shoni Schimmel? I bet that if you gave her a bulldozer and put her on a shot clock that she could complete the I-69 Interstate from Indianapolis to Evansville seconds before the federal funding ran out. If there has ever been a freshman for the Lady Cards besides her perform at this level, please point her out to me. Also, hats off the an aggressive Sheronne Vails yesterday and Shelby Harper. Harper was in an unenviable spot yesterday by having to try and move the ball against and contain Liz Repella. Repella doesn't play nicely. Both fouled out. Wouldn't surprise me if they resumed the battle long after the crowd left under the streetlights on 2nd street beneath the Indiana bridge.



I did see Paul and Sonja several times covering the game from the end zone. Congrats, you're TV stars now! Paul, you've got to stop taking referee's calls so personally. I know they're bozos, you know they're bozos and why was one ref making well over 75% of the calls? Sonja, you looked beautiful, darling. Just keep "the big guy's" blood pressure from spiking.



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



FROM THE POST GAME PRESSER:



We've got about 20 minutes of stuff we could put on here...fortunately Kim Pemberton and her S.I.D. staff has all the quotes over at http://www.uoflsports.com/ Here's a couple of our favorites from last night...



Shoni Schimmel on her three buzzer beaters:

"Nope. They definitely weren't called plays. I heard everyone call out the shot clock so I knew I had to get a shot off and that's exactly what I did" (We need to take her to the track with us for some "at the post" wagering.)



Tia Gibbs on when Monique Reid came into the game:

"That was just heart. We teach family. That's what we talk about and working for each other. I know she's in a lot of pain right now but she did it for us basically. She wanted to do whatever it took to help this team and that's what she did. That's what we needed."



Jeff Walz on the absence of Reid at the start:

"She sprained her ankle in shoot around and I wasn't sure if she'd ever walk again. (Pauses and smiles). But she made it thru it. She was with our doctors in the first half. Our trainer did a fantastic job. I told 'em not to bring her out during the game. I said just keep doing treatment. Hopefully she decides she might be able to play in the second half. They taped her up and just confirmed to her and made sure she knew nothing was broken, We did X-Rays, there's no real damage done. It's just a sprained ankle. She came out there. She told me she could go in the second half. I was just going to see how long I could go not playing here if I didn't have to. I thought she did a fantastic job the last eight minutes of the game for us. I was really proud of her."



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



The numbers we're most impressed with from last night are as follows:

-Louisville 6-10 from three point range...WVU 1-12.

-Louisville 47.8% shooting in the final half from the field... and holding WVU to 29.2%

-Louisville 17-21 from thr free throw line...WVU 20-27

-Louisville out rebounded WVU 16-15 in the second half.

-27 points from the freshmen last night (Schimmel with 17, Vails eight and Tay two.)

-12 assists for the Cards, only nine for WVU.

-UofL holding starting guards Liz Repella to 1-11 , Sarah Miles to 2-10 and Vanessa House 1-4.



Not so great:

-Louisville out rebounded 39-29 for the game.

-Harper committing five turnovers and five fouls in 14 minutes with no points.

-Louisville's 27.3% shooting in the first twenty minutes.

-Losing the steals battle to WVU 9-7

-Madina Ali (WVU) getting to the line for 8-9 in the second half after no 1st half attempts.



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



Louisville softball got bombarded yesterday in the finals of the Texas Invitational by host team Texas 14-4. The Longhorns did all their damage in the first two innings...five in the first and nine in the second. Louisville did manage to keep it close for the first inning..responding with a Taner Fowler three run homer but three responding Texas 4 baggers in the bottom of the second against Louisville pitching put this one out of reach. The Cards did add an additional run in the top of the fourth when Maggie Ruckenbrod came home with the bases loaded when Chelsea Bemis was hit by a pitch...but the Cards could do no further damage.



The Cards take off this weekend to head to 'sweet home Alabama' for the 'Bama classic...beginning Feb. 18th.



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



Had a great time earlier yesterday at the Louisville baseball Red vs. Gray inter squad scrimmage at Jim Patterson Stadium. Made it thru 6 1/2 innings before it was time to go to the YUM.



Windy but not too chilly conditions for the guys...the Red team jumped out early with three runs in the bottom of the first when a Kyle Grieshaber triple scored Adam Engel, Greishaber scored on the sacrifice fly and Cade Stallings parked one way over the left center fence on Gray starting pitcher Dace Kime.



Red added two more in the third on a Ryan Wright homer and Stewart Ijames touching home plate after a Zak Wasserman single. Two nice innings of no-hit pitching by Red starter Mike "Nasty" Nastold. Gray got on the board in the top of the sixth when Drew Haynes scored on a Ryan Seis ground out. Red got the run back in the bottom of the sixth when Wright's sacrifice fly brought home Alex Chittenden. Haynes made it 6-2 in the top of the seventh...scoring on a Seis single. Final was 8-2 Red. Very nice crowd, probably over 500, for a preseason scrimmage against each other.



Special thanks to CARDINAL DOMINANCE managing editor Shannon Ruffra for coming out despite not feeling well and showing me the ropes around Patterson. Got to meet baseball, women's track and rowing assistant S.I.D. Garret Wall and spend some time yucking it up with

organist and pep band director Al Greener, too...at the game before sitting in front of him and the band at the ladies game. People may start to talk...

.