No. 18 Softball Set for Red & Black Classic
March 12, 2010 | Softball
March 12, 2010
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The No. 18/20 University of Louisville softball team returns to Ulmer Stadium for the Red & Black Classic March 13-14. The Cards will play Hofstra Saturday at noon and fifth-ranked Michigan at 2 p.m. They will meet each team again Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively.
Louisville is coming off of a 3-0 eight-inning win over in-state rival Kentucky on Wednesday. Melissa Roth broke a scoreless tied with a solo home run in the eighth and Alicja Wolny connected on a two-run shot to make it a 3-0 game. Tori Collins and Kristen Wadwell combined on the two-hit shutout to even the series at 12-12.
The Cards are led offensively by senior catcher Melissa Roth who batting .526 with five home runs, 23 runs and 18 RBI. Senior Vanessa James follows with a .361 average, 14 runs, 10 stolen bases and nine RBI. Freshman Jordan Trimble rounds out the top three with a .302 average, seven runs and 13 RBI.
Sophomore Tori Collins (5-2) holds a 2.45 ERA with 54 Ks in 45.2 innings. Senior Kristen Wadwell (6-3) carries a 3.84 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 55.1 innings of work. Freshman Chelsea Leonard (4-0) has a 3.84 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 31.0 innings.
Red & Black Classic at Ulmer Stadium
Saturday March 13
Noon Louisville vs. Hofstra
2:00pm Louisville vs. Michigan
4:00pm Hofstra vs. Michigan
Sunday March 14
Noon Michigan vs. Hofstra
2:00 pm Louisville vs. Hofstra
4:00 pm Louisville vs. Michigan
Cards Against the Field
Hofstra Pride
Series Record: First meeting
Scouting the Pride: Hofstra brings a 9-1 overall record into the weekend and is receiving votes in both polls. The Pride have notched wins over South Florida, NC State, Virginia Tech and Mississippi State with their only loss come at the hands of No. 16/16 Florida State.
Olivia Galati leads the Pride with a .364 average, five runs and five RBI. She also holds a 4-1 record and a team-best 1.93 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 32.2 innings of work.
Michigan Wolverines
Series Record: Michigan leads 11-1
Last Meeting: March 7, 2009; Kristin Austin's two-run single gave Louisville a 3-2 victory to mark its first win in the 12 game series. Scouting the Wolverines: Michigan enters the weekend with a 14-4 overall record and is ranked fifth in both polls. The Wolverines are currently on a six game winning streak with two victories over No. 8 Alabama and South Carolina. Michigan has also tallied ranked wins over UCLA, LSU, and Oklahoma State.
Maggie Viefhaus leads the team offensively with a .400 average and 18 runs. Dorian Shaw has belted out eight home runs with 22 RBI. Jordan Taylor (9-1) carries a 0.77 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 73 innings.
Note: Michigan's Molly Bausher is familiar with Ulmer Stadium. The senior is the younger sister of former Cardinal standout Sara Bausher (2002-05).
Up Next
The Cardinals will travel to Fullerton, Calif., for the Judy Garmen Classic March 18-21. During its spring break trip, Louisville will face a tough slate that includes No. 2/2 Arizona, Cal State-Northridge, New Mexico, Purdue, Fullerton and No. 14/15 Texas.
Card Notes
• Melissa Roth owns the career doubles record with 57, she surpassed Keola Calderon's mark of 53 which has stood since the 2003 season.
• Roth also holds the all-time record for runs with 168 - she passed Courtney Moore's previous high of 162 set in 2007.
• Vanessa James' three stolen bases against Houston tied a school record for stolen bases in a game.
• Roth recently snapped a career-high 12 game hitting streak. She has still found a way to reach via walk or being hit by a pitch in all but one of Louisville's games, the 2-0 loss to Ohio State.
