Softball Set to Host Kentucky
April 10, 2007 | Softball
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April 10, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville will play host to in-state rival Kentucky in a single game Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Wildcats beat the Cardinals 6-3 earlier this season. Following that, U of L will go on the road for the first of three BIG EAST Conference road trips. Louisville will travel to Syracuse for a doubleheader Friday and then to Pittsburgh for a Sunday twinbill.
About Louisville
Louisville (22-16) is hitting .289 as a team and is led offensively by senior Audrey Rendon who is hitting .365 with 50 hits, eight doubles, five triples, 25 runs and 14 stolden bases. Senior shortstop Courtney Moore is hitting .330 on the season with a team-leading seven home runs and 25 RBI. Sophomore Brooke McCrain recently returned to action from a shoulder injury and now stands third on the team with a .330 batting average. She has 32 hits, five doubles and 18 RBI. Sophomore Kristi Cunningham rounds out the players batting over .300 with a .324 average, 34 hits, five doubles, 15 runs and 19 RBI.
The Cardinals will look to freshman Kristen Wadwell (6-5, 1.94 ERA/86.2 IP) and sophomore Kassie Stanfill (10-5, 2.34 ERA/93.2 IP) in the the circle while Catherine Bishop (6-6, 1.95 ERA) continues to recover from stress fractures.
Last up for the Cards
The Cards edged host South Florida 3-2 in nine innings in the first game and held on for a 5-4 win in game two Saturday afternoon in a BIG EAST doubleheader. In game one, USF took a 1-0 lead into the seventh, but the Cards tied the game in the seventh when pinch-runner Missy Vascil scored on Brooke McCrain's hit and an error on the play. McCrain struck again with a two-run single in the ninth. Kristen Wadwell (6-5) went the distance to get the win, scattering nine hits and striking out four in nine innings. Louisville had eight hits in the game. Rendon led at the plate, going 4 for 5 with one run and two stolen bases.
In game two Louisville tied a season high with 13 hits. Moore was 3 for 3 with a double and three RBI. McCrain, Cunningham and Totten each had a pair of hits. Kassie Stanfill (10-5) pick up the win, allowing three earned runs on six hits and striking out five in 5.0 innings of relief. Starter Catherine Bishop surrendered one earned run on two hits with a strikeout in two innings of work.
Cardinals vs. Kentucky
April 11-
Series Record: UK leads 12-6
Last meeting: March 7, 2007 - UK won 6-3 in Lexington. The Cardinals took a 3-1 lead, but the Cats scored a run in the fourth used a four-run sixth to get the win. The Cards committed a season-high four errors in the game. Catherine Bishop took the loss for the Cards, who collected only six hits. Brooke McCrain was 2 for 3 with an RBI and freshman Brittany York hit her first career home run. Megan Jolly got the win, with seven Wildcats getting one hit each.
Scouting the Wildcats: Kentucky (18-17, 4-12 SEC) is coming off of a split with Western Kentucky, falling 10-4 in the first game and winning 8-6 in the second. The Wildcats will play Eastern Kentucky in a single game Tuesday afternoon.
UK is batting a healthy .308 as a team with 45 home runs. The Wildcats are led at the plate by Brooke Marnitz who is hitting .421 with 17 homers, 48 RBI and 35 runs. Natalie Smith follows with a .385 average, 29 runs and 15 RBI. Katie Campbell has powered 10 home runs 10 doubles and is second on the team with 32 RBI.
In the circle, Jennifer Young (6-5) carries a 3.48 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 70.1 innings. Megan Jolly (6-6) has a 4.75 ERA with 36 Ks in 73.2 innings of work.
Up Next
U of L will go on the road for the first of three BIG EAST Conference road trips. Louisville will travel to Syracuse for a doubleheader Friday and then to Pittsburgh for a Sunday twinbill.
Wadwell Named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week; Rendon Selected to Honor Roll
Kristen Wadwell was named BIG EAST Softball Pitcher of the Week and Audrey Rendon was selected to the league honor roll for the period ending April 8.
Wadwell posted a 2-0 record last week with a 1-0 win against Indiana and a 3-2 win over conference opponent South Florida. Against Indiana, she tossed six-inning no-hitter and combined with Catherine Bishop for the shutout. Wadwell went the distance in the 3-2, nine inning win over USF. On the week, Wadwell surrendered only two earned runs and nine hits in 15 innings, posting a 0.93 ERA and a .173 opponent batting average. She also recorded eight strikeouts. Wadwell (6-5) leads the team with a 1.94 ERA.
Rendon batted .615 (8 for 13) on the week with a double, four runs and five stolen bases. She had at least one hit and scored at least one run in each of Louisville's games. Two of her runs scored proved to be game winners in a week in which all of the Cardinals' victories came by one run. Rendon went 3 for 3 with two stolen bases and scored the winning run in the 1-0 win over Indiana. She went 4 for 5 with one run - the game-winner - and three stolen bases in the 3-2 win over USF. Rendon also went 1 for 5 with two runs in the 5-4 victory over USF.
Cards Going Deep in the Deck
Louisville has been beset by the injury bug this season and, until recently, has been playing without three starters: senior pitcher Catherine Bishop, sophomore outfielder Brooke McCrain and senior outfielder Candi Hicks have all been recently sidelined due to various injuries. Bishop made a brief appearance, tossing a scoreless inning in the 1-0 win over Indiana and allowed an earned run in two innings against USF. McCrain was also back in action against the Hoosiers and USF.
McCrain Impressive in Return
Sophomore Brooke McCrain missed four games with a shoulder injury, but has been solid in her return. Against Indiana, McCrain went 0 for 3, but was responsible for the game-winning run when she reached on a fielder's choice. In the South Florida series, she went 4 for 9 with three RBI.
Rendon Sets Career Hits Record
Senior third baseman Audrey Rendon went 3 for 3 in the 8-4 loss to Villanova on April 1 and became the school's all-time career hit leader. She surpassed Keola Calderon's mark of 240 which has stood since 2003. Rendon now stands by herself with 251 career hits.
Wadwell Named to BIG EAST Honor Roll
Freshman RHP Kristen Wadwell was instrumental in Louisville's 3-1 performance in the Women 4 Women Softball Invitational, posting a 1.71 ERA against No. 6/9 Michigan, No. 7/8 Northwestern, No. 25 California and Liberty. Wadwell pitched in every game with two starts on the weekend. She got the save in the Cards 4-3, eight inning win against Liberty, holding the Lady Flames scoreless, and without a hit and striking out one in the eighth inning. She also pitched 5.1 innings with a career-high six strikeouts in the 5-4 win over No. 7 Northwestern - although she did not get the win because the game was tied when she left in the sixth inning. Wadwell picked up the win against #25 California and did not allow a run in five innings of relief against No. 6 Michigan. She leads the team with a 1.68 ERA. She also batted .429 (3 for 7) on the week with two runs and an RBI. She went 2 for 3 with two runs against Cal and was 1 for 2 against Michigan.
Cards Go 3-1 in Women 4 Women Softball Invitational
The Cards went 3-1 in the Women 4 Women Softball Invitational over the weekend with wins over Liberty, No. 7 Northwestern and No. 25 California. The only loss came at the hands of sixth-ranked Michigan - which was coming off of a loss to Liberty. Louisville and Northwestern each finished the tournament with 3-1 records with the Cards winning the tiebreaker by virtue of head-to-head competition.
- Sophomore right fielder Brooke McCrain helped lead the Cardinals offensively to a 3-1 record in the Women 4 Women Softball Invitational. She batted .417 (5 for 12) with two doubles, three runs and was perfect in the field on the weekend. McCrain went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the 4-3, eight inning win over Liberty, was 1 for 2 with a run in the 5-4 win over No. 7/8 Northwestern and was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two runs in the 12-2 win over No. 25 California.
Rendon Named to BIG EAST Honor Roll
Audrey Rendon was named to the BIG EAST honor roll on March 19 after leading the Cardinals offensively on the week. The senior third baseman batted .500 (10 for 20) on the week with two doubles, two triples, three runs and three RBI.
The Rendon and Moore Show (or Moore and Rendon)
Seniors Audrey Rendon and Courtney Moore have etched their names on nearly every Louisville offensive career and single season record. Currently, Rendon leads the team in hits (50), runs (25), doubles (8), triples (5) and stolen bases (12); while Moore leads in home runs (7), RBI (25), and walks (20).
Load `Em Up for McCrain
Sophomore Brooke McCrain is batting .833 with the bases loaded this season. She has had six at-bats with the bases juiced, and she has record five hits including a double and nine RBI.
Cards win Maryland Terrapin Invitational
U of L put together a 5-0 win streak to claim the Maryland Terrapin Invitational title. The Cards started the tournament with a 5-0 win over Princeton and then needed Brooke McCrain's two-run single in the bottom of the sixth to defeat the host Terrapins. The Cards didn't allow a run in the next two games, needing only five innings to dispatch Rhode Island 9-0 and Central Connecticut 12-0. The finals of the tournment pitted U of L and Princeton - this time the Cards won 6-1. Courtney Moore was named tournament MVP and Catherine Bishop, Kristi Cunningham and Brooke McCrain earned all-tournament honors.
Moore Named BIG EAST Hitter of the Week; Bishop Named to Honor Roll
Shortstop Courtney Moore was named BIG EAST Hitter of the Week for the period ending March 11. Senior Catherine Bishop was also named to the league's weekly honor roll.
Moore batted .471 (8 for17) with three homeruns, a double, nine RBIs and eight runs on the week as Louisville posted a 5-1 record, including a five-game winning streak to win the Maryland Terrapin Softball Invitational. Moore also posted a 1.059 slugging percentage and was named the tournament's MVP.
Bishop was named to the BIG EAST honor roll after posting a 3-1 record and a 1.33 ERA on the week while striking out 23 batters in 21 innings of work. She tossed two one-hitters - including a complete-game shutout against Rhode Island. Bishop picked up wins over Maryland, Rhode Island and Princeton en route to being named to the Maryland All-Tournament team.
Bishop Claims Career Strikeout Record
Catherine Bishop posted eight strikeouts in the 6-1 win over Princeton, moving to first place on the school's career strikeout list with 566. She also got the win in that game and is now tied for career wins with 65.
Rendon and Bishop Named to BIG EAST Honor Roll
Seniors Audrey Rendon and Catherine Bishop were named to the BIG EAST honor roll announced on March 5. Rendon led the team offensively on the weekend, batting .571 (4 for 7) with a run, two RBI and a stolen base. She went 3 for 4 in the 7-4 win over Akron.
Bishop did not allow a run and struck out 15 in 9.1 innings pitched over the weekend. She held opponents to two hits (0.69 batting average). Matched her career high 12 strikeouts while getting the complete game win in the 1-0 decision against Bradley. Bishop posted her second save of the season in the 7-4 win over Akron, holding the Zips to one hit and striking out three in 2.1 innings.
Bishop Owns Career Shutouts Record
Catherine Bishop is now in sole possession of the school's career shutout record with 27. With her first shutout of the season against Bradley (3/2), she surpassed Jessica Rak's career mark of 26 which has stood since the 2003 season.
Rendon Selected in National Pro Fastpitch League College Draft
Senior third baseman Audrey Rendon was selected in National Pro Fastpitch League College Draft. The Pueblo Colorado native was chosen by the Rockford Thunder in the third round.
The six teams of the NPF held a four-round draft of the NCAA elite college softball athletes. Players selected in the NCAA draft will be permitted to pursue any available roster spot on their assigned team after completing their college season. Due to NCAA regulations, an active college senior-athlete is not eligible to sign with her respective franchise until her 2007 college season is finished.
Major League Baseball is the Official Development Partner of National Professional Fastpitch in the category of women's professional fastpitch softball. The partnership, which began the fall of 2002, is part of The Commissioner's Initiative on Women and Baseball, a league-wide effort to help MLB and the 30 Major League Clubs build stronger relationships with female audiences.
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL).
Moore and Rendon Racing Home
Seniors Audrey Rendon and Courtney Moore are in a race to see who can finish as the top run-scorer in Cardinal softball history. Rendon is currently in the lead with 144 while Moore has 140.
Cardinals Fall Out of Top 25
For the first time in a year, U of L has dropped out of the top 25 rankings. Louisville, which started the season at No. 20 in the NFCA poll and No. 21 in the USA Softball poll. The Cards have gone 4-7 in the first three weeks of the season with wins over No. 21 Fresno State and Florida International. Three of the Cardinals' losses have come to teams ranked in the top 25, then-No. 16 Oklahoma and No. 21 Fresno State (twice).
Cards Preseason Pick to Win 2007 BIG EAST Championship
Louisville has been selected to finish first in the 2007 BIG EAST Softball Preseason poll, voted on by the league's head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The Cards return six starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's team, including 2006 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-South region second team member senior Catherine Bishop. Also back for the Cards are three-time all-conference third baseman senior Audrey Rendon and two-time all-conference shortstop senior Courtney Moore. Three-year starter Candi Hicks rounds out a veteran senior class.
Bishop Named to ASA Softball Top 50 Watch List
Senior Catherine Bishop has been named to the Amateur Softball Association's "Top 50 Watch List" for the sixth annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This award, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors in women's collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. The 2007 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 33 schools and 11 different NCAA Division I Conferences.
Bishop, a senior pitcher from Adelaide, Australia was the 2006 BIG EAST Softball Pitcher of the Year, an All-South second team member and was named to the all-BIG EAST first team. Last season she led the league and was fourth in the nation with a 0.78 earned run average and finished with a school-record 30 wins. Bishop held opponents to a .178 batting average and tied the school record for career shutouts with 25.
Bishop helped lead the Cardinals to a program-record 45 wins and the 2006 BIG EAST regular season championship. In 2006, U of L also achieved its first national ranking and appeared as high as No. 17 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and No. 18 in the USA Softball polls. In addition, Louisville received its third consecutive NCAA tournament bid and advanced to the regional finals.
Moore a Member of the 200 Club
Courtney Moore went 2 for 3 with a home run in Louisville's 6-4 win over No. 21 Fresno State on Feb. 17. In doing that, she became only the fourth player in U of L history to have over 200 hits. Keola Calderon (2000-03) was the first member of the `club' with 240 career hits. Last season 2006 senior Lacy Wood became the second player to reach 200 hits and finished her career with 223. Moore's current teammate Audrey Rendon broke the 220 mark at the end of the 2006 season and now owns the school record with 246.
