Thursday Cardinal Couple - Valparaiso Softball

.
THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- Know the foe: Valparaiso Crusaders 


-Preakness Stakes Saturday


-Another ATayy episode

The University of Louisville Softball team will face the Valparaiso Crusaders in the first round of the NCAA Regional Softball tournament at Ulmer Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Valparaiso is a member of the Horizon League conference and went 42-17 during the regular season and conference tournament. They finished first in regular season play with a 19-5 conference record and won the Horizon Tournament. 

Alex Lagesse has a 1.98 ERA in
35 starts for Valpo

They captured the tournament after losing in first round play. Unlike the BIG EAST Conference Tournament, the Horizon League is double elimination...like the NCAA Regionals. Held at Valparaiso Stadium, the Crusaders lost to Butler 6-1 in their first game...but advanced through the losers bracket and met Loyola-Chicago in the finals. They had to win twice...and did, beating Loyola with successive 2-1 scores on Sunday, May 13th. 


The northern Indiana school has played one common BIG EAST opponent with the Cards...losing at Notre Dame before their conference play began. 

Sam McGee had a 2.81 ERA
in 23 starts for Valpo

In the pitching circle for Valpo, Alex Lagesse and Sam McGee share the duties. Lagesse, a senior from Beecher, IL. had a 22-9 record for the Crusaders, appearing in 42 games and starting 35 of them. She fanned 162 batters and was the starter and winning pitcher in the Horizon League Conference championship game. McGee is also a senior and was 15-5 for Valparaiso this year. She hails from Bloomington, MN and had 23 starts and 26 appearances this season. She struck out 79 opponents and was the starting pitcher in the Crusaders first game Sunday. 

Rutkowski has 14
home runs this year

When Valparaiso goes to the plate, Jordan Rutkowski does the most damage against opposing pitchers. She is batting .428 this season and had a team-high 14 home runs and 60 RBI's. The senior catcher is from Alden, NY.


Brittany Duncan is Valpo's designated hitter and also plays infield. She was second on the team with a .388 batting average and had 9 home runs and 51 RBI's...good for second place in all three stats. Duncan is just a freshman and calls Fairborn, OH her hometown. Jessica Marinec hits .331 for the Crusaders and plays second base. She led the squad with 44 runs scored and is a junior out of Alsip, IL. 

Stevens has Valpo on a
upward swing 

This will be Valparaiso's first-ever apperance in the NCAA Tournament and some of the credit goes to second year head coach Jordan Stevens. Stevens came from D III school Union (NY) College and has 76 wins in his two years as the Valpo skipper. 

Will Cards leading hitter Kristin
Austin be in the starting lineup?

No small task for the Crusaders, having to face the BIG EAST regular season and conference champs at their home field to start the NCAA Tournament. Louisville certainly cannot afford to overlook Valparaiso, though...and the Cards will need to get out the bats early and set the pace in this one. Not sure how right-fielder Kristin Austin is doing with the hamstring injury...but it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a .400 hitter out there against Valpo. 


We won't try to guess who Coach Pearsall will start in the circle for this one...but we'd like to see torrid Tori Collins out there. Means she'll probably go with Caralisa Connell...either is capable of ending the Crusaders conquest. 


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

The Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown for 3 year olds...will take place Saturday at Pimlico Race Track in Maryland. Bodemeister has been confirmed as an entry and will try to turn the tables on Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another. 


Much ado each year about changing the format of the Triple Crown. Dropping Maryland and Pimlico and going to California or Chicago for the second leg. Fagettaboutit. Unless you've been to the Preakness at Pimlico, you can't really understand the pride, the tradition and historical value of this leg of the Triple Crown. We've had the fortune of going twice. We'll go again, someday.  


11 horses will contest the mile and 3/16ths course. Post positions:


1. Tiger Walk                         7. Bodemeister
2. Teeth of the Dog               8. Daddy Nose Best
3. Pretension                         9. I'll Have Another
4. Zetterholm                       10. Optimizer
5. Went the Day Well            11. Cozzetti
6. Creative Cause




There's also some pretty good racing out there on Friday. A 13 race card with eight stakes races. Their version of Kentucky Oaks Day for the fillies. The Miss Preakness S stakes, Black Eyed Susan and Pimlico Special headline the card. 


Churchill Downs is running both days as well and it's a great opportunity for you to get out and watch the best in live racing and simulcasting.

If you go, stop by and say "Hi!" to Jo-An at the paddock bar on the first floor inside next to the bricks where they saddle the horses . She'll be mixing up Black-Eyed Susans both days and they're not bad at all. Just ask Sonja. She'll want to know how you knew her name. Point to her name-tag first and then tell her Paul and Sonja sent you. Maybe she'll still serve you. It's a souvenir glass...can't beat that.  


We'll have our Preakness picks for you tomorrow. Read them at your own risk. David Watson, always one step ahead, has already sent his to us. He likes:


1) Optimizer - Gotta stay with D.Wayne Lukas
2) Creative Cause - Wasn't that bad in Derby
3) I'll Have Another - Not enough distance to close
4) Bodemeister - Speed won't hold like at Churchill

Great. Now we got Watson thinking he's a handicapper. With comments even. Pretty soon, he'll be forecasting BIG EAST Football and analyzing NASCAR races. 


Just another sign that the Apocalypse isn't too far away... 


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

Finally, ATayy is back with another episode. This time she gets in front of the camera to do a Cardinal flavored version of MTV Cribs. The highlight is when she picks up a British accent and invades Sherrone Vails' room for a surprise visit to see how she is "in her natural habitat." Nita Slaughter co-stars in the latest video. Funny stuff! 


We fear she'll show up at our secret lair deep beneath the Parrish House one day for a expose on how CARDINAL COUPLE is written. WE have the staff chimps and Bill the Goat on 24/7 DEFCON 5 alert status for her. Poobah has been instructed to run a diversion if it happens and show her and the film crew 80 Under 80 instead...along with serving snacks and Snapple. No Bud Select for these girls. 


Link below:


A-Tayy's Cribs

..
..

Louisville romps JSU 12-0

SUNDAY at CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Cards romp JSU 12-0

-Shackleford wins Preakness Stakes

-Morning has broken


The rains came to Ulmer Stadium Saturday night but after the delay the clouds opened up for the University of Louisville softball team with a 12-0 demolition of Jacksonville State. Louisville found the bats that were missing in the afternoon game against California...tagging JSU for fourteen hits in just four innings at bat.

Alicja Wolny and Colby Wherry led the Cardinal attack with three hits at three at bats...as Louisville put two runs on the board in the first inning on JSU...followed that with a eight run second inning and closed out the contest with two additional runs in the third for the win.

Caralisa Connell stymied the Jacksonville State batters...allowing just one hit with six strikeouts in six innings

Louisville must in two in a row on
Sunday to take the regional championship.

of tossing. Louisville advances out of the losers bracket in the double elimination format to try and take two against the Golden Bears from California Sunday...starting at 2 p.m. Wanna play two tomorrow, Lady Cards?  Go make it a reality....

CARDINAL COUPLE  in atendance today for the game(s)
We're going "the fan route" today and not providing press box coverage. Sometimes, you just wanna cheer and yell...we'll have full coverage and a recap after the action is over.

.

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

SHACKLEFORD took the field of fourteen runners wire to wire this afternoon in the Preakness Stakes...going off at 12-1 when they broke from the gate and giving Jesus Castanon a first ever Triple Crown win as a jockey. Castanon, a Louisville native, urged "Shack" to the wire barely ahead of the fast

Shackleford, ridden by Jesus Castanon, wins the Preakness
His early speed was enough to hold off a hard charging
Animal Kingdom at the wire.

closing ANIMAL KINGDOM.

ANIMAL KINGDOM , the post time favorite came flying late to finish second and ASTROLOGY  held on for third in the 136th. running of the second jewel in the Triple Crown.

Some prudent wagering strategy gave us the exacta, trifecta and Pick Three winning tickets and the upset win
by the speed merchant also made a great across the board cash-in. A nice bit of advice from handicapping pro and CARDINAL COUPLE Director of Wagering and Nonsense Tom Cahill led to the victorious scores....Cahill has been on fire lately with his handicapping strategies and we're believers. He thought that SHACKELFORD was a very live long shot and needed to be included in the mix with ANIMAL KINGDOM, ASTROLOGY and DIALED IN. Cahill told us that he expected a high odds horse to take the Preakness and 12-1 SHACKLEFORD did.

He was right.
.

Disappointed in the no-show efforts of DIALED IN and MUCHO MACHO MAN today...but speed held at Pimlico this afternoon and sometimes....that is enough.
.
***********************************************************************************

Harold Camping predicted the world would end at 6 p.m.
on Saturday, My 21st. ...in each of the world's time zones.
Looks like you backed the wrong horse, Harold.

Yup, looks like the ol' world is still here this morning. Jacksonville State probably thought it was ending last night, though...as everyone but public address announcer J-Bone got a hit against them last night in the rain-delayed romp. The Bears today...Louisville needs to win two to advance to the Super Regional. Reports to the senior columnist here at CARDINAL COUPLE indicate that he missed a very interesting monthly poker game last night, though. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

CAUTION: Black-Eyed Susan's are a very dangerous drink. Vodka, bourbon, sweet and sour mix and who knows what else. Stay away from them at all costs and advise your friends. And never, never try to propose a toast or slow dance if you've imbibed them. Not pretty...
.
As far as the end of the world goes...I'm writing this column looking out at a beautiful Sunday morning. Skies are clear, birds are chirping and flying in and out of the bushes and trees in our front yard. Our baby Cardinal Birds are out of the nest now and learning about life...with mom and dad keeping close watch. I'll go to Mass in a bit, dine and then head over to (hopefully) two UofL softball games this afternoon.

My friend "Dan the Mailman" told me yesterday that he has successfully defeated lung cancer and the doctors have given him a 100% clean bill of health. Miracles do happen. No more treatments, chemo or radiation. I'm  glad the world didn't end yesterday...because I would have missed this beautiful morning and the promise of a spectacular day ahead. I listened to the hopeful, optimistic Cat Stevens song "Morning has Broken" a few minutes ago and, for now... troubles, trials and tribulations seem very far away.

I like. Very much.
.

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.

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

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



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



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

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

\

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

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

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...
.


 

Three lacrosse players in All-Star game, NCAA Softball and The Preakness

WELCOME TO THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Foley, Dashiell and Lovejoy in North-South Senior All Star Game

-NCAA Softball kicks off in Louisville tomorrow

Can Animal Kingdom go back to back?

-The Preakness: Who's running and who we like.

Three senior University of Louisville lacrosse players have been selected to play in the 2011 IWLCA/Under Armour Division I North-South Senior All-Star game on June 11th. at the United Sports Training Center in Downington, PA.

Bergan Foley, Emily Dashiell and Liz Lovejoy are the trio of Cardinals selected for the prestigious honor...and three of only five Cardinals ever selected for the game.

Foley finished her four years at Louisville as the school's offensive leader in seven different categories. She led the nation in goals twice and is fourth all-time in career goals in NCAA Division I history. At Louisville, she played 65 games and found the back of the net 265 times. Foley is from Huntingdon Valley, PA. and will be missed as the Cards "go to" scorer.

Bergan Foley is the all-time leading scorer
in Louisville Lacrosse history.

Emily Dashiell led the Cards with 247 draw controls and ended up with 149 goals. She is listed as eighth all-time in the NCAA in career draw controls. The Salisbury, MD native also holds the Louisville all-time records for caused turnovers, ground balls and career draw controls.

Lovejoy had an outstanding senior season for Louisville with 57 goals and 11 assists. She is the all-time leader in game winning goals for Louisville and amassed 174 career goals during her four years at UofL. She played in 67 games at Louisville and is second all-time in four offensive categories

These three will be very hard to replace on the 2011-12 Louisville Lacrosse team, not only for their scoring and offensive prowess...but for the guidance and leadership they exhibited during their four years at Louisville. All four were fierce competitors and for all three to be selected to the All-Star game is quite an accomplishment and feather in the Louisville lacrosse program's hat.

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

Senior Chelsea Bemis is a long ball threat for the Cards.
Clear the fence, CB!!

Softball Cards will take the field 7:30 p.m. Friday night against Illinois-Chicago in the second game of first day action in the Louisville regional . Louisville (36-18) and UIC (25-22) have met twice before in softball...Louisville winning the last meeting 6-3 in Ulmer Stadium back on March 15, 2009. For Louisville, it is their eight consecutive NCAA appearance and second time they've hosted a regional . The Cards got to the "big dance" by finishing second in the BIG EAST tournament and knocked off #1 seed Notre Dame in the semifinals.

Illinois-Chicago earned their berth in the regional by defeating Butler 5-3 to take the Horizon League title on
Sunday. It's their ninth appearance in the NCAA tournament and they are 12-15 all-time in NCAA Softball Tournament action. They are led at the plate by Carly DeMarco (.358) and Coryn Schmitt who has 10 home runs and 32 RBI's. Devin Miller (17-17) is the girl in the circle for the Flames and has a 2.47 ERA and 222 strikeouts in 235.1 innings.

California (39-10) plays Jacksonville State (39-19) in the 5 p.m opener

Looks like a great weekend for softball, get out and support your Lady Cards!

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

The field and post positions have been set for the 136th. running of the Preakness. The second jewel in racing's triple crown for three year olds will take place this Saturday at Pimilco Race Track in Baltimore, MD. The runners, post positions, trainers, jockeys and morning line odds below:

1. ASTROLOGY.  Steve Assmussen trains and Mike Smith gets the ride  15-1
2. NORMAN ASBJORNSON.  Trained by Christopher Grove and Julian Pimental on board. 30-1
3. KING CONGIE. Tom Albertrani handles and Robby Albarado is the jockey.  20-1
4. FLASHPOINT. Churchill favorite Wesley Ward is the trainer, Cornelio Velazquez in the saddle. 20-1
5. SHACKLEFORD. Dale Romans in the paddock and Jesus Castanon pilots.  12-1
6. SWAY AWAY. Young gun Jeff Bonde trains and veteran Garrett Gomez has the reigns.  15-1
7. MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE. Bob Baffert saddles this one and California Martin Garcia rides.  15-1
8. DANCE CITY. Hall of fame Todd Pletcher in the suit and Ramon Dominguez in the silks.  12-1
9. MUCHO MACHO MAN. Kathy Ritvo gives instructions...Rajiv Maragh carries them out.  6-1
10. DIALED IN. Nick Zito gets this one ready and Julian Leparoux returns as rider.  9-2
11. ANIMAL KINGDOM. H.Graham Motion looks for back to back wins with John Velazquez. 2-1
12. ISN'T HE PERFECT. Nigerian Doodnauth Shivmangal picks Edgar Prado to ride.  30-1
13. CONCEALED IDENTITY. Eddie Gaudet has Pimlico favorite jockey Sheldon Russell up.  30-1
14. MR COMMONS. Big race specialist John Shirreffs tries for the upset with Victor Espinoza  20-1

SELECTIONS AND COMMENTARY

PAUL: I'm looking at four horses in the Preakness and NONE of them are ANIMAL KINGDOM. I think DIALED IN handles this smaller field and shorter distance quite fine and is the top choice here. I'll go with KING CONGIE, MUCHO MACHO MAN and SHACKELFORD in exacta and trifecta boxes and wheels. I've been wrong before, but I'm speculating that DIALED IN tunes in, takes off and romps.

SONJA: I'm taking ANIMAL KINGDOM and DIALED IN as my top two choices to get the Black-Eyed Susan blanket. I'll take each across the board. After that, let's go with DANCE CITY, ASTROLOGY and SWAY AWAY in the exacta and trifectas underneath the top two and boxed also.
I'll also be wary of Bob Baffert and MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE and will include him in some other wagers.

David Watson knows
absolutely nothing about
horse racing...

DAVID WATSON: Let's "go for broke" here and pick KING CONGIE as my top choice. I'll expect ANIMAL KINGDOM, DIALED IN and MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE to chase him home. My longshot has to be NORMAN ASBJORNSON. What a name! I think he runs the shoe repair shop down the street from me...

Good luck Saturday and if you wager, do so responsibly. Selections, picks and commentary seen here are for entertainment purposes only and based on our Derby picks...should be ignored completely...except for Paul touting NEHRO. Showoff....
.

Cards fall to Syracuse 2-1 in Big East Championship game

The softball Cards lose a close one to the 5th seeded Syracuse Orange on Saturday at Ulmer Stadium. For Louisville, just a case of not being able to get the runners to the plate ..as they stranded eight base runners in the game.

Syracuse borrowed a page from the Louisville strategy playbook by jumping on the opponent early and relying on pitching. The 'Cuse was able to push a run across the plate in both the first and second innings against Cardinal pitching.

Louisville's lone run came in the bottom of third when Melissa Roth opened the inning with a walk, moved to second on a Jennifer Esteban single and then raced home on a wild pitch from Syracuse hurler Jenna Caira.

The Cards had a chance to tie it in their last at bat. Roth walked and was granted second base on an illegal pitch. She was thrown out on a Esteban fielder's choice...but Esteban advanced to second with a steal while Chelsea Bemis was at bat. The game ended, though on a double play when Bemis drilled one down the first base line that the Syracuse first baseman made an incredible catch on and tossed the ball to second to double up Esteban who thought the ball got thru for a hit.

Jenna Caira got the win for the gusty Syracuse team but she needs to restudy the rulebook about what and what not a pitcher can do while on the mound. I know she got called for at least 10 illegal pitches during the game...the last one got Syracuse coach so mad that he stormed the field, argued the call with the umpires and got tossed from the game.

Syracuse gets the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships with the Big East tournament win. It is expected that Louisville, Notre Dame and DePaul will receive at large bids to the tournament. The selection show will be on ESPNU Sunday night at 10 p.m.

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

Congratulations to LOOKIN AT LUCKY, Bob Baffert and new jockey Martin Garcia for their win in the Preakness Saturday. FIRST DUDE held on for second and JACKSON BEND got third. Took then a while to sort out the photo for second.

Best racing story of the day. Very good friend of ours sends Paul to the track with a couple of dollars for wagers. He plans on getting these bet and then off to Ulmer for softball. He uses one of the automatic wagering machines and keys in the information. Since the friend had slightly overpaid him for the amount of wagers she wanted...Paul adds a couple of horses to the bet on the bottom leg of the trifecta. He likes the bet the way he had created it and punches out a duplicate ticket of it for him.

You guessed it. He added JACKSON BEND in the third spot. They already had LOOKIN AT LUCKY on top with SUPER SAVER...and about 4 or 5 horses picked to run second...including FIRST DUDE. The trifecta paid $1385 for a $1 wager. They also hit the exacta which paid $94.30 on a dollar. He never made it to Ulmer...and yes, the IRS will get their share of it...

The best part is that she knows about the exacta but Paul hasn't told her yet about the addition to win the trifecta for both of them. We're having lunch this afternoon with her and he'll present her the winning ticket then.

By Sonja
5/17/10