Softball Ushers in 2015 Season with Bullpen Club Dinner
January 25, 2015 | Softball
The University of Louisville softball team officially kicked of the 2015 season with it eighth annual Bullpen Club Dinner on Jan. 24 held in the Brown & Williamson Club at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
With over 200 guests including several softball alums in attendance, the current team was introduced and head coach Sandy Pearsall previewed the upcoming season. Keynote speaker Crystl Bustos took the stage and captivated the room with anecdotes from her storied softball career and offered words of encouragement to the softball players in the room. The three-time Olympian answered questions from the audience before receiving a standing ovation.
"I always look forward to our Bullpen Club Dinner because it provides an opportunity for our current players to connect with our alums as well as our fans," said Pearsall. "I thought Crystl Bustos had a tremendous message that everybody in the room could relate to and we are thrilled that she could join us tonight."
UofL is less than two weeks away from opening the 2015 season with a trip to Las Vegas for the UNLV Sportco Kick-Off Classic Feb. 6-8 Las Vegas. The Cardinals will open where they will face UC Davis, UNLV, Minnesota, Cal State Bakersfield and Washington.
About Louisville Softball: In 2014, Louisville posted a 36-22 overall record, claimed the 2014 American Athletic Conference Championship and capped the season with the program's 11th straight NCAA appearance.
The Cardinals return six starters and 13 letter winners from the 2014 team including NFCA All-Central Regional selection Maryssa Becker and all-conference team members Whitney Arion and Kayla Soles. Nine newcomers will also take the field for the Cards in their inaugural ACC season.
Sandy Pearsall enters her 16th season as UofL's head coach. After building the program from scratch in 2000, Pearsall has guided the Cardinals to six conference championships. Under her watch, Louisville has made 11 consecutive NCAA regional appearances and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
