Friday, February 19
Raleigh, N.C.
2:00 PM
University of Louisville
vs
Wisconsin
Softball Travels to Raleigh for ACC/Big Ten Softball Challenge
February 18, 2016 | Softball
Cards will face Wisconsin and Nebraska this weekend
The University of Louisville softball team will travel to Raleigh, N.C. for the 2016 ACC/Big Ten Challenge this weekend. The Cards (4-1) will open the tournament on Friday at 2 p.m. when they will take on Wisconsin (4-1). The game was originally slated for a 4 p.m. start, but was changed to allow for warmer weather. On Saturday, Louisville will face Nebraska (5-0) 12 p.m. and Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. The Cards will wrap up the weekend with a matchup against Nebraska on Sunday at 10 a.m.
About Louisville:
The Cardinals bring a 4-1 record into the weekend after opening the 2016 season at the Islanders Invitational hosted by Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
Junior Maryssa Becker carries a .417 batting average with four runs and three RBIs. She also holds a 1-1 record with a 0.48 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 14.1 innings of work.
Sophomore Nicole Pufahl belted out two home runs and had six RBIs in the Cards' opening weekend.
Freshman Megan Hensley is the current ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week. She carries a 3-0 record and a 0.82 ERA while batting .389 with two doubles, a home run and six runs scored.
Louisville outscored opponents 28-5 in its opening weekend.
Head coach Sandy Pearsall is in her 17th season at the helm. Since starting the program in 2000, she has led the Cardinals to six conference championships and 12 NCAA appearances. Pearsall has a 623-316 overall record at UofL and an 873-649 tally in her 30th season as a head coach.
Up Next:
Louisville will host the Red & Black Classic in its home-opening weekend when Cleveland State, Kent State and North Dakota State visit Ulmer Stadium Feb. 26-28.
Cards against the field
Wisconsin
Series Record: Wisconsin leads 2-1
Last Meeting: March 17, 2014 - Wisconsin defeated Louisville 4-1 at Ulmer Stadium. Then-freshman Maryssa Becker came in relief and hurled 6.2 hitless innings, retiring all 20 batters she faced and striking out six. Brittany Sims drove in the lone run for the Cardinals.
Scouting the Badgers: Wisconsin is coming off a strong opening weekend in which they went 4-1 at the Kajikawa Classic. The Badgers are led offensively by freshman Melanie Cross who has a .375 batting average along with two home runs and four RBIs. Senior Ashley Van Zeeland hit .353 over the weekend with a team-high five runs and four stolen bases. Junior Chloe Miller contributes a .308 average along with a team-high six RBIs. Sophomore Kelsey Jenkins, a 2015 first-team All-Big Ten selection, adds four runs and a home run along with her .308 average.
In the circle, junior left-hander Kirsten Stevens leads the team with a 2.16 ERA and a 2-1 record, striking out 15 while only allowing one walk in 16 2/3 innings. Senior right-hander Taylor-Paige Stewart has also seen action in the circle, compiling a 2-0 record along with a save. Stewart has a 3.77 ERA and has struck out 13 batters in 14.1 innings.
NOTE: Wisconsin assistant coach Kirsten Verdun served as Louisville's Volunteer Assistant Coach during the 2015 season.
Nebraska
Series Record: Louisville leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Feb. 23, 2008 - Louisville defeated Nebraska 5-3 as part of the Cardinal Classic at Ulmer Stadium.
Scouting the Huskers: Nebraska kicked off the season with a 5-0 clip at the UNI-Dome Classic last weekend. Junior Marjani Knighten had a strong weekend as she batted .632 with five home runs and 14 RBIs to earn Big Ten Player of the Week honors. Senior outfielder Kiki Stokes, who was a 2015 third-team All-American and was one of the 50 players named to the 2016 USA Softball College Player of the Year watch list, added a .615 average with two home runs and scored eight runs while stealing five bases over the weekend. Junior Cassie McClure hit .429 with three RBIs while going 2-0 on the weekend with two saves in the circle. The Big Ten Pitcher of the Week did not allow a run in 12 innings and added 16 strikeouts while allowing only one walk. Senior Emily Lockman who is a three-time All-Big Ten selection and a two-time, first-team all-region honoree, went 1-0 with a 3.36 ERA on the weekend while junior Kaylan Jablonski added a 2-0 clip and a 3.60 ERA on the weekend.
Hensley Named ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week - Feb. 15
Megan Hensley was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week in the leagues' first weekly honors of the season released on February 15.
Hensley (Ashland, Ky.) posted a 3-0 record on the week - earning a win in each of her appearances. The freshman registered a 0.82 ERA and held opponents to a .136 batting average with six strikeouts in 17.0 innings of work.
Hensley helped her own cause at the plate with a .389 batting average (7 for 18) on the weekend. She led the Cards with six runs and belted out two doubles while driving in a pair of runs.
Last time out
The Cardinals went 4-1 at Texas A&M Corpus Christi's Islanders Invitational in their season-opening weekend.
Louisville 7 - Sam Houston State 0
Louisville opened season with a 7-0 win over Sam Houston State, as freshman Megan Hensley went 4-for-4 with two runs as the Cards belted out 11 hits. Hensley also got the win in the circle and combined with junior Maryssa Becker for the shutout.
Iowa 1 - Louisville 0
Iowa's unearned run in the third inning stood as the only run in the game as the Cards suffered their first loss of the season. The Hawkeyes outhit Louisville 4-3 and Becker had nine strikeouts in the game.
Louisville 7 - Iowa 2
Becker went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and freshman Lillie Goetz also drove in three runs as the Cards avenged the previous day's loss to Iowa with a 7-2 win over the Hawkeyes. Hensley got the complete game win, scattering five hits and striking out three.
Louisville 8 - Texas A&M Corpus Christi 1
Sophomore Nicole Pufahl went 3-for-4 with a career-high five RBIs while Hensley and Goetz had two hits apiece as the Cards defeated host Texas A&M Corpus Christi 8-1. Becker allowed five hits and gave up one run in a complete game effort.
Louisville 6 - Sam Houston State 1
Senior Hailey Smith went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to help lead the Cardinals to a 6-1 win over the Bearkats. Hensley got her third win of the weekend after tossing 5.0 innings of relief and allowing one hit while retiring 15 of the 18 batters she faced.
Stingy pitching
The Cards were impressive in the circle in their first weekend of play. Louisville's pitching staff: Maryssa Becker, Megan Hensley and Madi Norman, posted a combined 0.60 ERA and held opponents to a .163 batting average while striking out 23 in 35.0 innings.
Becker holds a 0.48 ERA and 17 strikeouts while Hensley boasts a 3-0 record in a team-high 17.0 innings of work.
Becker career record watch
Junior Maryssa Becker is ranked among the top 10 in several career categories at Louisville. The following is a list of milestones she will reach in the near future:
2 starts to tie for 7th in career starts (50)
4 appearances in the circle to move to 7th on the career list (86)
1 win to tie for 9th in career wins (29)
3 saves to tie for 3rd in career saves (10)
3 shutouts to move into a tie for 8th on the career list (10)
Louisville Picked to Finish Third in ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
The Louisville softball team was picked to finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in a as voted by the league's 11 head coaches.
Two-time defending conference champion Florida State was picked to win the league with nine first place votes after finishing the 2015 season with a 48-12 overall record and a 20-3 mark in ACC play. Notre Dame received 92 points and two first-place votes to stand at second in the preseason poll. The Irish are coming off of a 42-15 campaign and went 17-6 in the conference last season and finished third in the ACC.
Louisville and North Carolina State tied for third with 74 points each. The Cardinals finished the 2015 season with a 30-19 overall record and went 16-7 to finish fourth in the ACC. The Cardinals went on to make their 12th consecutive NCAA regional appearance.
North Carolina State posted a 38-20 (13-8) record in 2015 and finished fifth in the ACC regular season standings. North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Syracuse, Georgia Tech and Virginia rounded out the final seven spots in the preseason poll.
About Louisville:
The Cardinals bring a 4-1 record into the weekend after opening the 2016 season at the Islanders Invitational hosted by Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
Junior Maryssa Becker carries a .417 batting average with four runs and three RBIs. She also holds a 1-1 record with a 0.48 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 14.1 innings of work.
Sophomore Nicole Pufahl belted out two home runs and had six RBIs in the Cards' opening weekend.
Freshman Megan Hensley is the current ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week. She carries a 3-0 record and a 0.82 ERA while batting .389 with two doubles, a home run and six runs scored.
Louisville outscored opponents 28-5 in its opening weekend.
Head coach Sandy Pearsall is in her 17th season at the helm. Since starting the program in 2000, she has led the Cardinals to six conference championships and 12 NCAA appearances. Pearsall has a 623-316 overall record at UofL and an 873-649 tally in her 30th season as a head coach.
Up Next:
Louisville will host the Red & Black Classic in its home-opening weekend when Cleveland State, Kent State and North Dakota State visit Ulmer Stadium Feb. 26-28.
Cards against the field
Wisconsin
Series Record: Wisconsin leads 2-1
Last Meeting: March 17, 2014 - Wisconsin defeated Louisville 4-1 at Ulmer Stadium. Then-freshman Maryssa Becker came in relief and hurled 6.2 hitless innings, retiring all 20 batters she faced and striking out six. Brittany Sims drove in the lone run for the Cardinals.
Scouting the Badgers: Wisconsin is coming off a strong opening weekend in which they went 4-1 at the Kajikawa Classic. The Badgers are led offensively by freshman Melanie Cross who has a .375 batting average along with two home runs and four RBIs. Senior Ashley Van Zeeland hit .353 over the weekend with a team-high five runs and four stolen bases. Junior Chloe Miller contributes a .308 average along with a team-high six RBIs. Sophomore Kelsey Jenkins, a 2015 first-team All-Big Ten selection, adds four runs and a home run along with her .308 average.
In the circle, junior left-hander Kirsten Stevens leads the team with a 2.16 ERA and a 2-1 record, striking out 15 while only allowing one walk in 16 2/3 innings. Senior right-hander Taylor-Paige Stewart has also seen action in the circle, compiling a 2-0 record along with a save. Stewart has a 3.77 ERA and has struck out 13 batters in 14.1 innings.
NOTE: Wisconsin assistant coach Kirsten Verdun served as Louisville's Volunteer Assistant Coach during the 2015 season.
Nebraska
Series Record: Louisville leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Feb. 23, 2008 - Louisville defeated Nebraska 5-3 as part of the Cardinal Classic at Ulmer Stadium.
Scouting the Huskers: Nebraska kicked off the season with a 5-0 clip at the UNI-Dome Classic last weekend. Junior Marjani Knighten had a strong weekend as she batted .632 with five home runs and 14 RBIs to earn Big Ten Player of the Week honors. Senior outfielder Kiki Stokes, who was a 2015 third-team All-American and was one of the 50 players named to the 2016 USA Softball College Player of the Year watch list, added a .615 average with two home runs and scored eight runs while stealing five bases over the weekend. Junior Cassie McClure hit .429 with three RBIs while going 2-0 on the weekend with two saves in the circle. The Big Ten Pitcher of the Week did not allow a run in 12 innings and added 16 strikeouts while allowing only one walk. Senior Emily Lockman who is a three-time All-Big Ten selection and a two-time, first-team all-region honoree, went 1-0 with a 3.36 ERA on the weekend while junior Kaylan Jablonski added a 2-0 clip and a 3.60 ERA on the weekend.
Hensley Named ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week - Feb. 15
Megan Hensley was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week in the leagues' first weekly honors of the season released on February 15.
Hensley (Ashland, Ky.) posted a 3-0 record on the week - earning a win in each of her appearances. The freshman registered a 0.82 ERA and held opponents to a .136 batting average with six strikeouts in 17.0 innings of work.
Hensley helped her own cause at the plate with a .389 batting average (7 for 18) on the weekend. She led the Cards with six runs and belted out two doubles while driving in a pair of runs.
Last time out
The Cardinals went 4-1 at Texas A&M Corpus Christi's Islanders Invitational in their season-opening weekend.
Louisville 7 - Sam Houston State 0
Louisville opened season with a 7-0 win over Sam Houston State, as freshman Megan Hensley went 4-for-4 with two runs as the Cards belted out 11 hits. Hensley also got the win in the circle and combined with junior Maryssa Becker for the shutout.
Iowa 1 - Louisville 0
Iowa's unearned run in the third inning stood as the only run in the game as the Cards suffered their first loss of the season. The Hawkeyes outhit Louisville 4-3 and Becker had nine strikeouts in the game.
Louisville 7 - Iowa 2
Becker went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and freshman Lillie Goetz also drove in three runs as the Cards avenged the previous day's loss to Iowa with a 7-2 win over the Hawkeyes. Hensley got the complete game win, scattering five hits and striking out three.
Louisville 8 - Texas A&M Corpus Christi 1
Sophomore Nicole Pufahl went 3-for-4 with a career-high five RBIs while Hensley and Goetz had two hits apiece as the Cards defeated host Texas A&M Corpus Christi 8-1. Becker allowed five hits and gave up one run in a complete game effort.
Louisville 6 - Sam Houston State 1
Senior Hailey Smith went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to help lead the Cardinals to a 6-1 win over the Bearkats. Hensley got her third win of the weekend after tossing 5.0 innings of relief and allowing one hit while retiring 15 of the 18 batters she faced.
Stingy pitching
The Cards were impressive in the circle in their first weekend of play. Louisville's pitching staff: Maryssa Becker, Megan Hensley and Madi Norman, posted a combined 0.60 ERA and held opponents to a .163 batting average while striking out 23 in 35.0 innings.
Becker holds a 0.48 ERA and 17 strikeouts while Hensley boasts a 3-0 record in a team-high 17.0 innings of work.
Becker career record watch
Junior Maryssa Becker is ranked among the top 10 in several career categories at Louisville. The following is a list of milestones she will reach in the near future:
2 starts to tie for 7th in career starts (50)
4 appearances in the circle to move to 7th on the career list (86)
1 win to tie for 9th in career wins (29)
3 saves to tie for 3rd in career saves (10)
3 shutouts to move into a tie for 8th on the career list (10)
Louisville Picked to Finish Third in ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
The Louisville softball team was picked to finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in a as voted by the league's 11 head coaches.
Two-time defending conference champion Florida State was picked to win the league with nine first place votes after finishing the 2015 season with a 48-12 overall record and a 20-3 mark in ACC play. Notre Dame received 92 points and two first-place votes to stand at second in the preseason poll. The Irish are coming off of a 42-15 campaign and went 17-6 in the conference last season and finished third in the ACC.
Louisville and North Carolina State tied for third with 74 points each. The Cardinals finished the 2015 season with a 30-19 overall record and went 16-7 to finish fourth in the ACC. The Cardinals went on to make their 12th consecutive NCAA regional appearance.
North Carolina State posted a 38-20 (13-8) record in 2015 and finished fifth in the ACC regular season standings. North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Syracuse, Georgia Tech and Virginia rounded out the final seven spots in the preseason poll.
Players Mentioned
RHP/1B
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
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