2009 Softball Season Wrapup
July 02, 2009 | Softball
June 30, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -
Final Game Notes in PDF Format 
The University of Louisville softball team is coming off a record-setting season, finishing at 48-11, setting a new mark for wins and tying the record for fewest losses after reaching their sixth straight NCAA regional appearance. Additionally, Louisville was a mainstay in the top 25 rankings, reaching a program-high of 14th in both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and USA Softball polls. U of L closed the season at No. 24 in the NFCA poll.
The 2009 Cards also produced a prolific offense that set a school mark in runs scored with 320 and batted a school record .319 as a team. All-American junior catcher Melissa Roth also earned BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year honors after leading the Cards offensively with a .444 batting average, 16 home runs, 64 runs scored and 53 RBI. U of L had seven players batting over .300 on the season. Sophomore Chelsea Bemis followed Roth with a .378 average while sophomore Colby Wherry rounded out the top three at .366 with 35 RBI.
Junior All-American Kristen Wadwell was a workhorse in the circle, posting a 41-10 record and a 1.69 ERA in 311.0 innings of work. She also had 257 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .217 batting average. Wadwell owns the single season (41) and career (75) records for wins.
Roth Selected to USA Softball Pan American Qualifer Team
Melissa Roth was selected to represent the USA Softball Women's National team in the Pan American Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, July 31-Aug. 9. She becomes the first U of L player to be selected for the honor.
The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced Monday, June 15, the three teams that will represent USA Softball Women's National team program during the 2009 summer season. The three teams were selected after a selection camp last week in Chula Vista, and the rosters will represent a new era of USA Softball as there are only eight returning players from the 2008 Olympic team.
Roth was selected to the 2009 USA Softball Pan American Qualifier Team which will represent the USA at the Pan American Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, July 31-Aug.9. The other teams selected will represent the USA in the Canada Cup and the KFC World Cup; and the Japan Cup.
Cunningham Named Academic All-American
Kristi Cunningham was selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Third team. She becomes the second Cardinal softball player to earn the honor after Catherine Bishop was selected to the third team in 2006.
Cunningham (Gallatin, Tenn./Davidson Academy) carried a 3.83 GPA in Exercise Science/Pre-Nursing and anchored down centerfield for the past four seasons while serving as team captain for the past two years. Cunningham finished her senior year with a .293 batting average, 12 home runs and 42 RBI. Her 31 career homers place her second on the school's all-time list. She is also ranked among the top five in career runs scored (112) and RBI (118). The two-time All-BIG EAST selection was also named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region. She was also nominated for the LOWE'S Senior Class Award.
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing.
Roth, Wadwell Earn All-America Honors
Melissa Roth and Kristen Wadwell earned 2009 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America honors. Roth was named to the second team, while Wadwell was selected to the third team.
Players from 32 institutions and 12 different conferences have been named to the 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America teams, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced.
As a junior, Roth (Long Beach, Calif. led the Cardinals in virtually every offensive category this season including team-high numbers in batting average (.444), home runs (16), RBI (53), runs scored (64), slugging percentage (.870) and on-base percentage (.566). The 2009 BIG EAST Player of the Year was an All-Great Lakes Region team member and was also a four-time league Player of the Week this season. Roth recently became the first Louisville player to be invited to the USA Softball National Team Selection Camp.
Wadwell, a junior from Sydney, Australia, compiled a nation-leading 41 wins. The All-Great Lake Region team member is also a three-time All-BIG EAST Conference selection. This season, she registered a 1.69 ERA with 257 strikeouts and 11 shutouts on the season. Wadwell owns several school records including career (75) and single season (41)wins and strikeouts in a game (16). She earned BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors three times this year.
Roth Selected for USA Softball National Team Selection Camp
Melissa Roth has been selected to participate in the 2009 USA Softball National Team Selection Camp. The junior from Long Beach, Calif., becomes the first Louisville player to receive the invitation in the 10 year history of the program.
The selection camp will take place June 8-12 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The 2009 National Team will be selected from participants at this camp. Over the summer, USA Softball will compete in the Canada Cup (July 3-12 - Surrey, B.C., Canada), World Cup IV (July 13-20 - Oklahoma City, Okla.), Japan Cup (July 28-Aug. 3 - Sendai City, Japan) and the Pan Am Games Qualifier (July 29-August 10 - Maracay, Venezuela).
Barlow, Wadwell Selected to All-BIG EAST Tournament Team
Designated player Patrika Barlow and pitcher Kristen Wadwell were selected to the BIG EAST All-Tournament team. Barlow started both games and helped lead the Cardinals offensively with a .400 batting average (2 for 5) and scored a run. Wadwell posted a 0.54 ERA and went 1-1 in the tournament, pitching every inning for the Cardinals and striking out 13.
Roth Named BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year
Seven Cards earn league honors
Catcher Melissa Roth was named BIG EAST Player of the Year. She joins Chelsea Bemis, Kristen Wadwell on the all-league first team, while Kristin Austin, Kristi Cunningham, Vanessa James, and Colby Wherry were selected to the second team.
The regular season awards and 37 All-BIG EAST selections were announced at the conference's annual championship banquet at the Marriott Louisville Downtown on May 6.
Roth becomes the first Louisville player in program history to be named the BIG EAST Player of the Year. The junior led the Cardinals in virtually every offensive category this season including team-high numbers in batting average (.436), home runs (16), RBI (49), runs scored (62), slugging percentage (.878) and on-base percentage (.564). Roth's 1.174 slugging percentage in league play was the conference's best. She was named BIG EAST Player of the Week on May 4, giving her four of the weekly honors on the season. Roth hit .545 during the last week of the season, scoring six runs on six hits with two RBI and two home runs. She is a two-time All-BIG EAST Conference selection.
Card Notes
• U of L made its sixth consecutive NCAA regional appearance in the 10 year history of the program. It also served as a first round host site for the first time in school history.
• Melissa Roth holds the single season record with 64 runs, surpassing Audrey Rendon's mark set in 2005.
• Kristen Wadwell now owns the school records for single season wins (41) and career wins (75).
• The Cardinals were an impressive 27-4 at Ulmer Stadium this season. The 3-0 loss to Notre Dame on May 8, snapped a 19 game win streak, dating back to March 14.
• U of L is in its 13th consecutive week in the national rankings. The Cards rejoined the top 25 on Feb. 17, after a two-year absence and reached as high as No. 14 - a program-best.
• Louisville set a new record for single season runs with 320, surpassing the 2005 total of 300
• U of L posted a 5-0 record in extra inning games
• Kristen Wadwell finished her season ranked second in the nation with 41 wins, just one shy of NCAA champion Washington's Danielle Lawrie's 42.
• Louisville led the BIG EAST in team batting average (.319), hits (512), runs scored (320), doubles (85), triples (17), ERA (2.03) and and wins (48)
• Melissa Roth led the conference in runs scored (64). Roth also leads the league in slugging percentage (.870) and home runs (16).
• Vanessa James tied a school record with two triples against Albany (2/21).
• Kristi Cunningham finished her career at second on the school's all-time home runs list with 31. Courtney Moore holds the record with 42.
• Kassie Stanfill snapped a 14 game hitting streak in the March 29, 6-1 win over Seton Hall. Prior to that, Stanfill had been tied for third for the longest hitting streak in Louisville program history. The longest hitting streak was 16 and was held by Coleen Coughlin in 2001.
Cardinals Among Nation's Best
Louisville's 48 wins stand tied for fourth for most overall wins in 2009. Florida led the nation with 63 victories while Alabama followed with 54, national champion Washington posted 50 wins and the Cards were tied Missouri and Stanford at 48.
Wadwell, Cunningham Earn ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Honors
Kristi Cunningham and Kristen Wadwell earned ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District IV honors. Cunningham was named to the first team, while Wadwell was a second-team honoree.
To be eligible for All-District status, players must have at least a 3.30 GPA with at least sophomore standing, both academically and athletically, and completed at least two semesters at current institution. They also must have played in at least 50 percent of the team's games. All first-team selections have the opportunity to be selected as a national Academic All-American.
Cunningham, a senior outfielder from Gallatin, Tenn. Carries a 3.83 GPA in Exercise Science/Pre-Nursing. She is now a three-time All-District IV selection after being named to the second team as a sophomore and a junior. The two-time team captain carries a .308 batting average with 12 home runs and 42 RBI. The four-year starter has 31 career homers placing her second on the school's all-time list. She is also ranked among the top five in career runs scored (112) and RBI (118). Cunningham is a two-time All-BIG EAST selection.
Wadwell, a junior pitcher from Sydney, Australia, boasts a 3.82 GPA in Psychology and Exercise Science. This season, she has compiled a nation-leading 40 wins. She also carries a 1.39 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 11 shutouts. Wadwell owns several school records including career wins (74) and single season wins (40) and strikeouts in a game (16). She earned BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors three times this year is a three-time all-league selection.
Cardinals Set New Record for Wins With 48
U of L's 6-5 victory over Notre Dame gave the Cards a school record 46th win. They surpassed the previous record of 45, set in 2006 when the Cards went 45-11 and advanced to the NCAA regional finals. • The 7-0 victory over Eastern Kentucky on April 29 tied the school record.
•The 8-2 decision over Syracuse on April 19 gave Louisville its 40th victory of the season, marking the fourth 40 win campaign in the 10 year history of the program.
Stanfill and Cunningham - Been There Done That
Seniors Kassie Stanfill and Kristi Cunningham were freshmen on the 2006 Louisville team that set the record for wins with 45. That team cracked the top 25 for the first time, achieved the highest school ranking at 17, won the BIG EAST regular season championship and advanced to the NCAA regional finals for the best finish in school history.
As seniors, they have led the Cards to 48 wins, have been a mainstay in the top 25 for 13 straight weeks, peaking at a new program-high 14 on March 24 and are poised to make the school's sixth straight NCAA appearance.
Wadwell Owns Career Wins Record
Kristen Wadwell tossed a two-hitter to get the complete game win in Louisville's 8-2 win over Syracuse on April 19. The win gave her the career wins record, surpassing Catherine Bishop's mark of 67 (2004-07). She now has 40 wins.
Roth on the Run
With 64 runs in 2009, Melissa Roth now holds the single season record for runs. In the April 19, 8-2 win over Syracuse, Roth scored two runs to surpass Audrey Rendon's mark of 50 set in 2005. She is currently third on the career list with 141 runs.
Wadwell Sets Single Season Wins Record
In the April 14, 9-4 win over Middle Tennessee, Kristen Wadwell picked up the win in four innings of relief to set a new record for single season wins with 31. She surpassed Catherine Bishop's record set in the 2005 season.
In the 6-5 win over Pittsburgh, junior Kristen Wadwell tied the school record for single season wins with 30.
Wherry Tough to Strike Out
Colby Wherry finished the 2009 season as `toughest player in the nation to strike out' according to the final NCAA statistical rankings. She went the first 35 games of the season without striking out... until the April 3 game against Villanova when she fanned twice, once against VU starter Caitlyn Delahaba and then reliever Megan Hord.
After fanning against UConn's Rachael Crossin in the BIG EAST quarterfinals, Wherry finished with three Ks in 172 at bats.
Louisville on the National Scene
The Cardinals are ranked among the nation's leaders in several categories. As a team, Louisville is tied for second in winning percentage (0.839), 13th in batting average (.318), 23rd with a 1.81 ERA , 22nd in scoring (5.50 runs per game) and 18th in slugging percentage (0.484). Kristen Wadwell finished second in the nation with 41 wins and was 14th with 11 shutouts. Colby Wherry led the `toughest to strike out' category with three strikeouts in 173 at bats. Melissa Roth was 7th in runs per game (1.08) and 4th in on-base percentage (0.556). Vanessa James finished 18th in the nation with five triples.
Bombs Away
The Cardinals hit 46 home runs in 2009, more than doubling last year's total of 21. In fact, Louisville has now belted out the second most home runs in a season. The school record (57) was set in 2005. Melissa Roth led the team with 16 home runs,Kristi Cunningham had 12 and finished her career at second on the school's all-time list with 31.
There's No Place Like Home
The Cardinals were tough at home in 2009, posting a 27-4 record at Ulmer Stadium. Louisville's first home loss came at the hands of No. 14/16 Ohio State on March 14. They strung together 19 more wins before fall 3-0 to Notre Dame on May 8 in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Tournament. The loss also marked the only time the Cards were shut out all season and the first time they had been held scoreless at home since April 20, 2008. Louisville closed the season with losses to No. 7 Arizona and Purdue in the NCAA Regional at Ulmer Stadium.
Austin Named U of L Freshman of the Year
Kristin Austin was named University of Louisville Female Freshman Athlete of the Year at the Cardinal Athletics All-Sport Banquet Monday, April 27.
Austin earned a starting role as an outfielder early in the season and played in 55 of Louisville's 59 games with 51 starts. She led the team with 17 stolen bases, was third with 40 runs and with 39 runs and fourth on the team with a .343 batting average.
Cards Earn NCAA Academic Performance Program Recognition
The University of Louisville's softball team, along with the men's indoor track program earned special recognition with the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program (APP) public recognition awards released on Wednesday April 22.
The NCAA is honoring NCAA Division I sports teams that posted multiyear Academic Progress Rates in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. The APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
Roth's Grand Slam in the Books
In the April 10, 5-2 win over Pittsburgh, Melissa Roth recorded her first career grand slam and the ninth in program history. The only other active player on the roster with a grand slam is Brittany York, how registered one on March 30,2007 against Villanova.
Cards Earn Highest Rankings in Program History
On March 24, the Cardinals moved to No. 14 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and were at No. 16 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball and coaches polls released on Tuesday, March 23. The Cards were also No. 14 in the Ultimate College Softball rankings.
The rankings marked the highest in program history in each of the polls. The Cards matched their best showing on March 17, when they were No. 15 in the NFCA poll and No. 16 in the USA Softball rankings. They were also No. 17 and 18 respectively in the 2006 season. This is their first year in the UCS poll.
Pearsall Reaches 600 Wins
On March 22, 2009, the University of Louisville defeated Rutgers 9-0 in game two of a BIG EAST Conference doubleheader. With the win, U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall reached her 600th career victory Pearsall is in her 23rd year as a head coach, and her tenth season since starting the program at U of L in 2000.
Wadwell Sets School Record for Strikeouts in a Game
In the March 16, 3-2 win over Eastern Michigan, Kristen Wadwell set a new school record with 16 strikeouts in the game, breaking Aja Sherman's mark set on March 25, 2005 against Western Kentucky.
Roth Sets New Home Run Record
Melissa Roth set a school record with three home runs in Louisville's 12-3 win over Albany. She also tied a school record with four runs. Her six RBI fell one short of tying a school record.
Bruggeman Gets 500th Career Win
On Feb. 14, the Cards defeated No. 18/21 Nevada 3-2 in the UNLV Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. With the victory, Associate head coach Carol Bruggeman reached her 500th career win. She has been Louisville's Associate Head coach since 2006 and spent 12 years as the head coach at Purdue, where she started the program and amassed 380 wins.
