Cardinal Softball Opens 2001 Season Today at Liberty Metrodome Classic
February 08, 2001 | Softball
Feb. 8, 2001
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A brand new program in a new league has the element of surprise on its side.
The Cardinal program was a marvelous surprise to its staff, fans and administrators when they turned in a sparkling 36-26 record last year including wins over ranked opponents in its first year of competition.
Those in the category of the unpleasantly surprised were any teams who took to the field thinking that a first year program would be inexperienced and undermanned. They soon learned that the Cardinals had formidable pitching, dangerous bats and aggressive fielding. And here is the bad news for the unlucky, the Cardinals return virtually intact .... only speedier and with louder bats.
"We are coming back virtually intact as a cohesive unit," said 2000 Conference Coach of the Year Sandy Pearsall. "We know each other even better this year even though this team already had good chemistry."
Pearsall's recruiting efforts focused on adding a bit more speed, power at the plate and versatility.
"We went after speed and found it in Kenzie Meisenberg," said Pearsall. "We wanted to add power and added Nikki Gaudio. Kristi Rozelle gives us versatility. These three significantly increase our abilities those three categories."
The Cardinals didn't have to add pitching with three strong hurlers returning. Tara McClure had a 0.96 ERA including six shutouts and struck out 136. Jessica Rak had 17 wins and six shutouts. Mandy Rockwell had eight wins.
"Tara is a bulldog on the mound, she goes after people," said Pearsall. "Jessica can overpower batters and has a lot of pop. She also tends to be a bit wilder so batters don't know what to expect. Mandy's breaking balls and off-speed stuff catches people chasing balls they shouldn't."
Pearsall likes the different look each pitcher gives her. If she makes a change in the middle of a game, the divergent styles takes a toll on the batters who must adjust.
One of the Cardinals' best batters, Keola Calderon, is also one of its most versatile. The All-C-USA utility choice has been tabbed to fill in the vacated defensive spot at first. Gaudio, the new big stick, will also spend time there.
"With their bats, I am going to find places in the lineup for them," said Pearsall. "With Keola's versatility, I don't lose anything defensively no matter where I put her."
Louisville returns its middle infield with first team All-C-USA shortstop Val Smith and Nicole Sparks.
"Val had a good year last year," said Pearsall. "Nicole has good range and is improved tenfold at aggressively diving for balls."
Melissa Jacobo, Louisville's leading hitter last year, returns at third. Look for newcomer Kenzie Meisenburg to platoon with her.
"Melissa is true power and Kenzie is true speed and developing power," said Pearsall.
The Cardinal outfield returns in good shape. Candi Padilla will play right with speedster Coleen Coughlin in center and newcomer Kristi Rozelle in left.
Pearsall will need all the speed, power and versatility she can get when the team enters conference play. She slated a competitive non-conference schedule that includes the Louisville Spring Tournament which will help the Cardinals acquaint themselves with a tournament format as they will be hosting the C-USA Championship in Ulmer Field.
"Our Conference is powerful and continues to get even more so. Adding Houston this year is another step in that direction," said Pearsall.
Last year was the first year for virtually all of the Cardinals to compete at the Division I level. Pearsall feels her squad learned a lot and that the freshmen especially benefitted from the experience.
"The pressure to compete and win against competitive components is something they now have under their belts," said Pearsall.
