Friday, April 22
Chestnut Hill, MA
2:30 PM
University of Louisville
at
Boston College
Senior Danny Rosenbaum and the Cardinals have won six straight games entering the weekend.
Louisville Travels to Boston College for Weekend Road Test
April 21, 2016 | Baseball
No. 3 Cardinals and Eagles set for Friday at 2:30 p.m., ET, Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The third-ranked Louisville baseball team makes its first ever visit to Boston College as the ACC Atlantic Division foes begin a weekend series Friday at 2:30 p.m., ET at Commander Shea Field in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Cardinals and Eagles are also scheduled for 1:30 p.m., ET on Saturday and noon on Sunday. Radio coverage for Friday's series-opener will be provided by 1450 WXVW, while the final two games of the weekend can be heard on 93.9 The Ville. Live stats for all Louisville baseball games are available at GoCards.com.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
Ranked No. 3 in this week's Collegiate Baseball newspaper poll, Louisville extended its winning streak to six games with a 7-6 walk-off win against No. 12 Kentucky on Tuesday night. Last week, the Cardinals were 5-0, highlighted by midweek by a weekend series sweep of Clemson. After six weeks of ACC action, the Cardinals are atop the Atlantic Division with a 13-5 record. On the mound, Louisville has seven shutouts (No. 3 nationally) while allowing two or fewer earned runs in 20 of its 37 outings. Entering the weekend, the pitching staff is fifth in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings at 6.91 and 17th in ERA at 2.98. Offensively, the Cardinals are third nationally with a .335 team average, fourth in on-base percentage at .422 and sixth in scoring at 8.6 runs per game.
ABOUT THE EAGLES
Boston College enters the weekend at 19-14 overall after winning its 12th Beanpot title with an 8-2 win over Northeastern on Wednesday night. Guided by sixth year head coach Mike Gambino, the Eagles are 5-11 in the ACC after dropping all three games at Notre Dame last weekend. Last season, BC was 27-27 overall and finished seventh in the ACC Atlantic with a 10-19 record.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cardinals hold a 3-0 lead in the all-time series against the Eagles after sweeping last year's series at Jim Patterson Stadium.
YEAR TWO IN THE ACC FOR LOUISVILLE
A year after setting the single season record for conference wins in its debut campaign with a 25-5 ACC mark, Louisville has won four of its six ACC series in 2016 and is back atop the Atlantic Division standings. The Cardinals have lost just two of its 16 ACC series the last two seasons while compiling a 38-10 record during that stretch, including a 24-3 mark at home.
MASSACHUSETTS CARDINALS
The 2016 Louisville baseball team features one player and one staff member hailing from the state of Massachusetts. Sophomore outfielder Ryan Summers and director of operations Brian Mundorf are natives of Westfield. Summers is the nephew of Mundorf, who is in his 21st season working with the Cardinals.
TEAM NOTES AND TRENDS
• Louisville is No. 3 in this week's NCAA RPI rankings and among 11 Atlantic Coast Conference schools in the top 50 spots.
• Collectively, the Cardinals are hitting .335 (No. 3 nationally) with seven players hitting .316 or better while starting at least 19 games.
• Louisville has won 166 straight games when entering the ninth inning with a lead dating back to May 2012. The Cardinals were 43-0 last season and 46-0 in 2013 when leading after the eighth.
• The Cardinals are 65-of-80 on stolen bases this season (16th nationally) continuing the aggressive approach from head coach Dan McDonnell. Louisville was fourth nationally with 127 stolen bases last season, second in the nation in 2014 with 133 and second in 2013 with 150.
• Conversely, Louisville's opponents are just 14-for-29 on stolen bases this season as Will Smith has allowed just nine of 18 attempts.
• Louisville has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 20 of 37 game this season, a feat achieved in 36 of 65 games last season. In 2014, they did it in 40 of 67 games, while in 2013, they accomplished the task in 36 of 65 games.
• The Cardinals are also third in the nation in doubles (95), fourth in slugging (.508), fourth in on-base percentage (.422), fifth in hits allowed per 9 IP (6.91), sixth in scoring (8.6 runs per game), 12th in triples (15), 14th in WHIP (1.17), 17th in ERA (2.98), 20th in HBP (51), 26th in fielding percentage (.977), 27th in sacrifice flies (20) and 28th in strikeouts per 9 IP (8.7).
PLAYER NOTES AND TRENDS
Corey Ray: Ray is second in the nation with 31 stolen bases (on 36 attempts) this season, fifth in total bases (102), 14th in home runs and 15th with 46 RBI.
• 12 of Ray's 23 career home runs have either tied the score or given Louisville a lead.
• Ray leads the Cardinals with 13 multiple RBI games this season.
• In the first inning this season (all in the leadoff spot), Ray is hitting .361 with three home runs and 10 runs scored.
Blake Tiberi: Tiberi is tied for the team lead with 20 multiple-hit games and is second on the team with 10 multiple-RBI games this season.
Devin Hairston: In his last 17 games, Hairston is hitting .413 with a home run, four doubles, 18 RBI and 28 runs scored.
Will Smith: In his last 14 starts, Smith is hitting .432 with a home run, four doubles, 10 RBI and 14 runs scored.
Colby Fitch: Fitch has hit safely in 17 of the 19 games he has started this season and has a .424 average with four home runs, five doubles, two triples, 20 RBI and 18 runs in those 19 starts.
Nick Solak: Solak had reached base safely in 33 straight games dating back to last season before streak was ended on March 25 against Virginia after departing in the third inning with a bone bruise on his right hand.
Brendan McKay: McKay has recorded eight or more strikeouts in seven of his nine starts this season and has finished with eight or more strikeouts 14 times in his career. On March 11, he had a career-best 13 strikeouts against Notre Dame, the most for a Louisville pitchers since 2003.
• McKay ranks 16th in the nation with 73 strikeouts this season.
• In 18 career appearances on the mound at home (including 13 starts), McKay is 13-0 with four saves, a 1.44 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 93.1 innings pitched.
• In his 13 collegiate starts at Jim Patterson Stadium, McKay is 12-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 87.1 innings.
• At the plate, McKay has hit safely in a career-best 11 straight games.
Drew Harrington: Harrington has won seven straight starts and has not allowed a run in five of his eight starts this season.
• Harrington leads the nation with eight wins and ranks 21st in the nation with his 1.40 ERA.
• In six ACC starts, Harrington is 6-0 with a 1.11 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.
Kyle Funkhouser: Funkhouser is Louisville's career leader in wins (29), strikeouts (332), innings pitched (337.2) and starts (50). He also holds the school record for single season wins with 13 in 2014.
Kade McClure: McClure has won seven of his eight starts this season ranking third in the nation in wins. He's also 12th in the nation in WHIP at 0.85 and 12th in hits allowed per 9 IP (5.17).
LOUISVILLE IN NATIONAL POLLS EVERY WEEK SINCE BEGINNING OF 2012
Louisville has enjoyed a historic run by remaining in at least one of the major national polls every week since the release of the 2012 preseason rankings -- the longest such span in school history. The unanimous choice as the No. 2 team in the nation in the six national preseason polls, the Cardinals have received a preseason top 10 ranking in four straight seasons (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) and have earned a preseason national ranking in nine straight seasons (2008-2016) overall. The No. 2 ranking was the highest preseason ranking in program history for Louisville, two spots better than their previous preseason high of No. 4 by Baseball America during the 2013 College World Series season. The No. 2 ranking also equaled the best overall ranking in history.
MCKAY ACCEPTS INVITE TO USA BASEBALL COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM
Sophomore Brendan McKay has accepted an invitation to compete for the 2016 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer. It will mark the second straight year McKay has played for Team USA after making four relief appearances without allowing an earned run and earning six starts as a hitter last summer. Guided by University of Oregon head coach George Horton, the USA Collegiate National Team will conduct a training camp in Southern California from June 28-July 2 before visiting Taiwan (July 5-9), Japan (July 12-17) and Cuba (July 22-26) for a series of games. The trip to Japan will include the 40th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series.
McKay's second tour with Team USA marks the 11th time a Louisville player has earned an invitation from the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team joining Zack Burdi (2015), Corey Ray (2015), Kyle Funkhouser (2014), Nick Burdi (2013), Ryan Wright (2010), Phil Wunderlich (2009), Tony Zych (2009), Justin Marks (2008) and Mark Jurich (2002). It marks the 18th time a player coached or signed by Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell, who served as an assistant with the 2009 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, earned international baseball experience.
TRIO OF ACC PLAYER, PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN 2016
The Louisville baseball team has accumulated three Atlantic Coast Conference Player or Pitcher of the Week honors this season, including two honors for Corey Ray. The junior outfielder was named ACC Player of the Week on Feb. 22 and March 28, while sophomore Brendan McKay was tabbed as the ACC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 29. Last season, the Cardinals received four ACC weekly honors.
TRIPLE DIGITS ON THE RADAR GUN FOR BURDI
Junior righty closer Zack Burdi has reached 100 mph on the Jim Patterson Stadium radar gun on two different occasions this season, including once on a swing-and-miss strike three in the 11th inning of Louisville's March 11 win over Notre Dame. On April 9 at Florida State, Burdi registered 100 mph on the official gun at Dick Howser Stadium. Last season, Burdi touched 101 mph on the scoreboard at Clemson's Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
CARDINALS LIKE HOME ENOUGH TO STEAL IT IN BACK-TO-BACK SEASONS
Under head coach Dan McDonnell, Louisville has earned a reputation for being among the nation's most aggressive teams on the bases and that approach has helped the Cardinals steal home in each of the last two seasons. On March 16 of this season, junior Logan Taylor capped Louisville's five-run fifth inning against Wright State by stealing home in a play that landed at No. 3 on the SportsCenter Top 10 the following morning. Even more amazing is that Taylor's accomplishment marked the second time in 11 months the Cardinals had stolen home as Corey Ray achieved the feat on April 18, 2015 against Wake Forest.
Not only did Ray steal home, but he did it in the bottom of the ninth to score the game-winning run and complete a series sweep of the visiting Demon Deacons. Moments after the Cardinals had tied the game on a wild pitch, Ray charged down the third base line sliding around the attempted tag and across home plate. The play was featured at No. 8 in on the SC Top 10 on April 19 and was also used by ESPN during its opening segment of SportsCenter that morning.
The person with the best view of the two swipes of home was Will Smith, who was at the plate for each of the dramatic plays. Who better to hold his ground in the box as a teammate came sliding across the plate than Louisville's primary catcher during the last two seasons.
FUNKHOUSER CHOSEN AS CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Kyle Funkhouser was selected on March 14 as a candidate for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate baseball. Funkhouser was among 30 baseball student-athletes, who excel both on and off the diamond, chosen to receive consideration for the prestigious award. Funkhouser becomes the second Louisville player in the last three seasons to be selected as a candidate for the award joining former Cardinals outfielder Jeff Gardner, who was chosen as one of 10 finalists for the honor in 2014. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2016 College World Series in June. For more information on all the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
CARDINALS ON THE NATIONAL WATCH LISTS
The Louisville baseball program is well represented on the early season watch lists for multiple national awards. Here is the current list of Cardinals on those watch lists:
• GOLDEN SPIKES AWARD: Brendan McKay, Nick Solak & Corey Ray
Corey Ray, baseman Nick Solak and Brendan McKay were named April 20 to the midseason USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award watch list. The award, given annually to the nation's top amateur baseball player, will be presented on June 30 in Los Angeles. The midseason watch list features 60 of the nation's top amateur players from the high school and college ranks. Louisville is among three schools with three players named to the updated watch list, which includes 18 players featured on the preseason list and 42 new players.
The Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will continue to maintain a rolling list of athletes, allowing players to play themselves into consideration for the award before announcing the semifinalists on June 1. The list of semifinalists will be sent to a voting body consisting of past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of the media that follow amateur baseball closely, select professional baseball personnel, current USA Baseball staff and the 38 previous winners of the award, representing a group of more than 200 voters.
The 2016 Golden Spikes Award winner will be named on Thursday, June 30, at a presentation in Los Angeles. The finalists and their families will be honored at the Rod Dedeaux Foundation Dinner that evening at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles.
• JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Brendan McKay
Brendan McKay, the reigning John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, was named April 20 by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame to the first watch list for this season's Olerud Award, which honors the nation's top player both on the mound and at the plate. A total of 24 players representing conferences and schools large and small are on the watch list. The award is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented as part of the Hall of Fame's Night of Champions celebration July 1-2 in Lubbock.
• NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Drew Harrington, Kade McClure & Brendan McKay
Drew Harrington, Kade McClure and Brendan McKay were named April 20 to the initial watch list for the 2016 National Pitcher of the Year Award, presented by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. The award will be presented on July 2 in Lubbock as part of the annual Night of Champions event. Louisville is among five schools with three representatives on the watch list joining Florida, South Carolina, TCU and Vanderbilt. The Southeastern Conference features 16 representatives, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 11.
• BROOKS WALLACE SHORTSTOP OF THE YEAR: Devin Hairston
Devin Hairston was named April 21 to the initial 2016 watch list for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award. The award honors the nation's top shortstop and will be presented as part of the annual Night of Champions celebration on July 2 in Lubbock. "To see so many younger guys already being really competitive at the shortstop position is exciting," said Tyler Young, Wallace Award co-chair. "While there are plenty of experienced players on the watch list, it's great to see the success some of these freshmen and sophomores are having."
• STOPPER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Zack Burdi
Zack Burdi was named on Feb. 15 to the initial watch list for the 12th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. The 2016 Stopper of the Year Watch List will be updated with a midseason release on Wednesday, April 27, including the national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 8, prior to start of NCAA Super Regional competition. The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced at the 2016 College World Series. Previous winners of the award include former Louisville standout and 2014 recipient Nick Burdi, older brother of Zack.
• JOHNNY BENCH AWARD: Will Smith
Will Smith was named March 9 to the official watch list for the 2016 Johnny Bench Award as announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. The award is given annually to the top NCAA Division I catcher. The watch list will be narrowed to the semifinalists on May 18, 2016. Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 6, 2016. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 19th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2016.
MCKAY NAMED NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE MONTH
Sophomore lefty Brendan McKay was selected as the National Pitcher of the Month for February by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. One of the top two-way players in the nation, McKay has been nearly untouchable to start 2016. The Darlington, Pennsylvania, native boasts a perfect 0.00 ERA in 14 innings across two starts, including a three-hit shutout at No. 21 Ole Miss on Feb. 27. McKay was named ACC Pitcher of the Week for that performance, where he struck out eight Rebels and didn't issue a walk.
FIVE CARDINALS RECEIVE PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA RECOGNITION
Senior pitcher Kyle Funkhouser, junior pitcher Zack Burdi, junior infielder Nick Solak, junior outfielder Corey Ray and sophomore pitcher/first baseman Brendan McKay earned preseason All-America accolades from various organizations for 2016. Burdi, Funkhouser, McKay and Ray were named preseason All-Americans by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball newspaper, D1Baseball, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game. Additionally, Solak was named as a preseason All-American by D1Baseball and Perfect Game.
LOUISVILLE TABBED AS ACC FAVORITE BY CONFERENCE HEAD COACHES
Louisville was selected as the 2016 ACC preseason favorite in a vote of the conference's 14 head coaches. The Cardinals were a unanimous selection as the team to beat in both the Atlantic Division and in the conference. Louisville, which set an ACC record for conference wins with a 25-5 mark last season, tallied 98 points while Florida State was the second choice in the division with 74 points. NC State was third (72) and was followed by Notre Dame (50), Clemson (46), Wake Forest (35) and Boston College (17). Miami, which reached the College World Series last year, was named by 13 coaches as the favorite in the Coastal Division. Defending national champion Virginia received one vote for first place in the division and was second with 80 points, followed by North Carolina (71), Georgia Tech (58), Duke (38), Virginia Tech (30), and Pitt (18).
BURDI, SMITH AND SOLAK NAMED TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2016
Junior righthanded pitcher Zack Burdi, junior catcher Will Smith and junior infielder Nick Solak were chosen by Louisville players and coaches as team captains for the Cardinals baseball team in 2016. Burdi was a Third Team Louisville Slugger All-American and All-ACC First Team selection last season while earning a 6-1 record with nine saves and a 0.92 ERA in 20 relief appearances. Smith started 47 games behind the plate in 2015 hitting .242 with two home runs and 15 RBI. Solak emerged as one of Louisville's top offensive players in 2015 hitting .324 with three home runs, 40 RBI, 15 doubles and 18 stolen bases while starting all 65 games.
FOLLOWING THE CARDINALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter (@UofLBaseball) at http://twitter.com/uoflbaseball and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
| GAME DAY INFORMATION #3 Louisville at Boston College Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass. Venue: Commander Shea Field Twitter Updates: @UofLBaseball Series History: Louisville leads 3-0 all-time Game Notes: Louisville | Boston College Friday, April 22 | 2:30 p.m. ET | Live Stats TV: None | Radio: 1450 WXVW (Listen) LOU: So. LHP Brendan McKay (7-1, 2.15 ERA) BC: Fr. RHP Jacob Stevens (2-2, 1.17 ERA) Saturday, April 23 | 1:30 p.m. ET | Live Stats TV: None | Radio: 93.9 The Ville (Listen) LOU: Jr. LHP Drew Harrington (8-1, 1.40 ERA) BC: Jr. RHP Justin Dunn (1-1, 1.59 ERA) Sunday, April 24 | Noon ET | Live Stats TV: None | Radio: 93.9 The Ville (Listen) LOU: Sr. RHP Kyle Funkhouser (3-3, 5.19 ERA) BC: Jr. RHP Mike King (4-2, 2.95 ERA) |
Ranked No. 3 in this week's Collegiate Baseball newspaper poll, Louisville extended its winning streak to six games with a 7-6 walk-off win against No. 12 Kentucky on Tuesday night. Last week, the Cardinals were 5-0, highlighted by midweek by a weekend series sweep of Clemson. After six weeks of ACC action, the Cardinals are atop the Atlantic Division with a 13-5 record. On the mound, Louisville has seven shutouts (No. 3 nationally) while allowing two or fewer earned runs in 20 of its 37 outings. Entering the weekend, the pitching staff is fifth in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings at 6.91 and 17th in ERA at 2.98. Offensively, the Cardinals are third nationally with a .335 team average, fourth in on-base percentage at .422 and sixth in scoring at 8.6 runs per game.
ABOUT THE EAGLES
Boston College enters the weekend at 19-14 overall after winning its 12th Beanpot title with an 8-2 win over Northeastern on Wednesday night. Guided by sixth year head coach Mike Gambino, the Eagles are 5-11 in the ACC after dropping all three games at Notre Dame last weekend. Last season, BC was 27-27 overall and finished seventh in the ACC Atlantic with a 10-19 record.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cardinals hold a 3-0 lead in the all-time series against the Eagles after sweeping last year's series at Jim Patterson Stadium.
YEAR TWO IN THE ACC FOR LOUISVILLE
A year after setting the single season record for conference wins in its debut campaign with a 25-5 ACC mark, Louisville has won four of its six ACC series in 2016 and is back atop the Atlantic Division standings. The Cardinals have lost just two of its 16 ACC series the last two seasons while compiling a 38-10 record during that stretch, including a 24-3 mark at home.
MASSACHUSETTS CARDINALS
The 2016 Louisville baseball team features one player and one staff member hailing from the state of Massachusetts. Sophomore outfielder Ryan Summers and director of operations Brian Mundorf are natives of Westfield. Summers is the nephew of Mundorf, who is in his 21st season working with the Cardinals.
TEAM NOTES AND TRENDS
• Louisville is No. 3 in this week's NCAA RPI rankings and among 11 Atlantic Coast Conference schools in the top 50 spots.
• Collectively, the Cardinals are hitting .335 (No. 3 nationally) with seven players hitting .316 or better while starting at least 19 games.
• Louisville has won 166 straight games when entering the ninth inning with a lead dating back to May 2012. The Cardinals were 43-0 last season and 46-0 in 2013 when leading after the eighth.
• The Cardinals are 65-of-80 on stolen bases this season (16th nationally) continuing the aggressive approach from head coach Dan McDonnell. Louisville was fourth nationally with 127 stolen bases last season, second in the nation in 2014 with 133 and second in 2013 with 150.
• Conversely, Louisville's opponents are just 14-for-29 on stolen bases this season as Will Smith has allowed just nine of 18 attempts.
• Louisville has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 20 of 37 game this season, a feat achieved in 36 of 65 games last season. In 2014, they did it in 40 of 67 games, while in 2013, they accomplished the task in 36 of 65 games.
• The Cardinals are also third in the nation in doubles (95), fourth in slugging (.508), fourth in on-base percentage (.422), fifth in hits allowed per 9 IP (6.91), sixth in scoring (8.6 runs per game), 12th in triples (15), 14th in WHIP (1.17), 17th in ERA (2.98), 20th in HBP (51), 26th in fielding percentage (.977), 27th in sacrifice flies (20) and 28th in strikeouts per 9 IP (8.7).
PLAYER NOTES AND TRENDS
Corey Ray: Ray is second in the nation with 31 stolen bases (on 36 attempts) this season, fifth in total bases (102), 14th in home runs and 15th with 46 RBI.
• 12 of Ray's 23 career home runs have either tied the score or given Louisville a lead.
• Ray leads the Cardinals with 13 multiple RBI games this season.
• In the first inning this season (all in the leadoff spot), Ray is hitting .361 with three home runs and 10 runs scored.
Blake Tiberi: Tiberi is tied for the team lead with 20 multiple-hit games and is second on the team with 10 multiple-RBI games this season.
Devin Hairston: In his last 17 games, Hairston is hitting .413 with a home run, four doubles, 18 RBI and 28 runs scored.
Will Smith: In his last 14 starts, Smith is hitting .432 with a home run, four doubles, 10 RBI and 14 runs scored.
Colby Fitch: Fitch has hit safely in 17 of the 19 games he has started this season and has a .424 average with four home runs, five doubles, two triples, 20 RBI and 18 runs in those 19 starts.
Nick Solak: Solak had reached base safely in 33 straight games dating back to last season before streak was ended on March 25 against Virginia after departing in the third inning with a bone bruise on his right hand.
Brendan McKay: McKay has recorded eight or more strikeouts in seven of his nine starts this season and has finished with eight or more strikeouts 14 times in his career. On March 11, he had a career-best 13 strikeouts against Notre Dame, the most for a Louisville pitchers since 2003.
• McKay ranks 16th in the nation with 73 strikeouts this season.
• In 18 career appearances on the mound at home (including 13 starts), McKay is 13-0 with four saves, a 1.44 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 93.1 innings pitched.
• In his 13 collegiate starts at Jim Patterson Stadium, McKay is 12-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 87.1 innings.
• At the plate, McKay has hit safely in a career-best 11 straight games.
Drew Harrington: Harrington has won seven straight starts and has not allowed a run in five of his eight starts this season.
• Harrington leads the nation with eight wins and ranks 21st in the nation with his 1.40 ERA.
• In six ACC starts, Harrington is 6-0 with a 1.11 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.
Kyle Funkhouser: Funkhouser is Louisville's career leader in wins (29), strikeouts (332), innings pitched (337.2) and starts (50). He also holds the school record for single season wins with 13 in 2014.
Kade McClure: McClure has won seven of his eight starts this season ranking third in the nation in wins. He's also 12th in the nation in WHIP at 0.85 and 12th in hits allowed per 9 IP (5.17).
LOUISVILLE IN NATIONAL POLLS EVERY WEEK SINCE BEGINNING OF 2012
Louisville has enjoyed a historic run by remaining in at least one of the major national polls every week since the release of the 2012 preseason rankings -- the longest such span in school history. The unanimous choice as the No. 2 team in the nation in the six national preseason polls, the Cardinals have received a preseason top 10 ranking in four straight seasons (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) and have earned a preseason national ranking in nine straight seasons (2008-2016) overall. The No. 2 ranking was the highest preseason ranking in program history for Louisville, two spots better than their previous preseason high of No. 4 by Baseball America during the 2013 College World Series season. The No. 2 ranking also equaled the best overall ranking in history.
MCKAY ACCEPTS INVITE TO USA BASEBALL COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM
Sophomore Brendan McKay has accepted an invitation to compete for the 2016 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer. It will mark the second straight year McKay has played for Team USA after making four relief appearances without allowing an earned run and earning six starts as a hitter last summer. Guided by University of Oregon head coach George Horton, the USA Collegiate National Team will conduct a training camp in Southern California from June 28-July 2 before visiting Taiwan (July 5-9), Japan (July 12-17) and Cuba (July 22-26) for a series of games. The trip to Japan will include the 40th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series.
McKay's second tour with Team USA marks the 11th time a Louisville player has earned an invitation from the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team joining Zack Burdi (2015), Corey Ray (2015), Kyle Funkhouser (2014), Nick Burdi (2013), Ryan Wright (2010), Phil Wunderlich (2009), Tony Zych (2009), Justin Marks (2008) and Mark Jurich (2002). It marks the 18th time a player coached or signed by Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell, who served as an assistant with the 2009 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, earned international baseball experience.
TRIO OF ACC PLAYER, PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN 2016
The Louisville baseball team has accumulated three Atlantic Coast Conference Player or Pitcher of the Week honors this season, including two honors for Corey Ray. The junior outfielder was named ACC Player of the Week on Feb. 22 and March 28, while sophomore Brendan McKay was tabbed as the ACC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 29. Last season, the Cardinals received four ACC weekly honors.
TRIPLE DIGITS ON THE RADAR GUN FOR BURDI
Junior righty closer Zack Burdi has reached 100 mph on the Jim Patterson Stadium radar gun on two different occasions this season, including once on a swing-and-miss strike three in the 11th inning of Louisville's March 11 win over Notre Dame. On April 9 at Florida State, Burdi registered 100 mph on the official gun at Dick Howser Stadium. Last season, Burdi touched 101 mph on the scoreboard at Clemson's Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
CARDINALS LIKE HOME ENOUGH TO STEAL IT IN BACK-TO-BACK SEASONS
Under head coach Dan McDonnell, Louisville has earned a reputation for being among the nation's most aggressive teams on the bases and that approach has helped the Cardinals steal home in each of the last two seasons. On March 16 of this season, junior Logan Taylor capped Louisville's five-run fifth inning against Wright State by stealing home in a play that landed at No. 3 on the SportsCenter Top 10 the following morning. Even more amazing is that Taylor's accomplishment marked the second time in 11 months the Cardinals had stolen home as Corey Ray achieved the feat on April 18, 2015 against Wake Forest.
Not only did Ray steal home, but he did it in the bottom of the ninth to score the game-winning run and complete a series sweep of the visiting Demon Deacons. Moments after the Cardinals had tied the game on a wild pitch, Ray charged down the third base line sliding around the attempted tag and across home plate. The play was featured at No. 8 in on the SC Top 10 on April 19 and was also used by ESPN during its opening segment of SportsCenter that morning.
The person with the best view of the two swipes of home was Will Smith, who was at the plate for each of the dramatic plays. Who better to hold his ground in the box as a teammate came sliding across the plate than Louisville's primary catcher during the last two seasons.
FUNKHOUSER CHOSEN AS CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Kyle Funkhouser was selected on March 14 as a candidate for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate baseball. Funkhouser was among 30 baseball student-athletes, who excel both on and off the diamond, chosen to receive consideration for the prestigious award. Funkhouser becomes the second Louisville player in the last three seasons to be selected as a candidate for the award joining former Cardinals outfielder Jeff Gardner, who was chosen as one of 10 finalists for the honor in 2014. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2016 College World Series in June. For more information on all the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
CARDINALS ON THE NATIONAL WATCH LISTS
The Louisville baseball program is well represented on the early season watch lists for multiple national awards. Here is the current list of Cardinals on those watch lists:
• GOLDEN SPIKES AWARD: Brendan McKay, Nick Solak & Corey Ray
Corey Ray, baseman Nick Solak and Brendan McKay were named April 20 to the midseason USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award watch list. The award, given annually to the nation's top amateur baseball player, will be presented on June 30 in Los Angeles. The midseason watch list features 60 of the nation's top amateur players from the high school and college ranks. Louisville is among three schools with three players named to the updated watch list, which includes 18 players featured on the preseason list and 42 new players.
The Golden Spikes Award Advisory Board will continue to maintain a rolling list of athletes, allowing players to play themselves into consideration for the award before announcing the semifinalists on June 1. The list of semifinalists will be sent to a voting body consisting of past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of the media that follow amateur baseball closely, select professional baseball personnel, current USA Baseball staff and the 38 previous winners of the award, representing a group of more than 200 voters.
The 2016 Golden Spikes Award winner will be named on Thursday, June 30, at a presentation in Los Angeles. The finalists and their families will be honored at the Rod Dedeaux Foundation Dinner that evening at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles.
• JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Brendan McKay
Brendan McKay, the reigning John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year, was named April 20 by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame to the first watch list for this season's Olerud Award, which honors the nation's top player both on the mound and at the plate. A total of 24 players representing conferences and schools large and small are on the watch list. The award is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented as part of the Hall of Fame's Night of Champions celebration July 1-2 in Lubbock.
• NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Drew Harrington, Kade McClure & Brendan McKay
Drew Harrington, Kade McClure and Brendan McKay were named April 20 to the initial watch list for the 2016 National Pitcher of the Year Award, presented by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. The award will be presented on July 2 in Lubbock as part of the annual Night of Champions event. Louisville is among five schools with three representatives on the watch list joining Florida, South Carolina, TCU and Vanderbilt. The Southeastern Conference features 16 representatives, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 11.
• BROOKS WALLACE SHORTSTOP OF THE YEAR: Devin Hairston
Devin Hairston was named April 21 to the initial 2016 watch list for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award. The award honors the nation's top shortstop and will be presented as part of the annual Night of Champions celebration on July 2 in Lubbock. "To see so many younger guys already being really competitive at the shortstop position is exciting," said Tyler Young, Wallace Award co-chair. "While there are plenty of experienced players on the watch list, it's great to see the success some of these freshmen and sophomores are having."
• STOPPER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Zack Burdi
Zack Burdi was named on Feb. 15 to the initial watch list for the 12th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. The 2016 Stopper of the Year Watch List will be updated with a midseason release on Wednesday, April 27, including the national saves leaders. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Division I national saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as finalists and released Wednesday, June 8, prior to start of NCAA Super Regional competition. The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced at the 2016 College World Series. Previous winners of the award include former Louisville standout and 2014 recipient Nick Burdi, older brother of Zack.
• JOHNNY BENCH AWARD: Will Smith
Will Smith was named March 9 to the official watch list for the 2016 Johnny Bench Award as announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. The award is given annually to the top NCAA Division I catcher. The watch list will be narrowed to the semifinalists on May 18, 2016. Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 6, 2016. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 19th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 30, 2016.
MCKAY NAMED NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE MONTH
Sophomore lefty Brendan McKay was selected as the National Pitcher of the Month for February by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. One of the top two-way players in the nation, McKay has been nearly untouchable to start 2016. The Darlington, Pennsylvania, native boasts a perfect 0.00 ERA in 14 innings across two starts, including a three-hit shutout at No. 21 Ole Miss on Feb. 27. McKay was named ACC Pitcher of the Week for that performance, where he struck out eight Rebels and didn't issue a walk.
FIVE CARDINALS RECEIVE PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA RECOGNITION
Senior pitcher Kyle Funkhouser, junior pitcher Zack Burdi, junior infielder Nick Solak, junior outfielder Corey Ray and sophomore pitcher/first baseman Brendan McKay earned preseason All-America accolades from various organizations for 2016. Burdi, Funkhouser, McKay and Ray were named preseason All-Americans by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball newspaper, D1Baseball, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game. Additionally, Solak was named as a preseason All-American by D1Baseball and Perfect Game.
LOUISVILLE TABBED AS ACC FAVORITE BY CONFERENCE HEAD COACHES
Louisville was selected as the 2016 ACC preseason favorite in a vote of the conference's 14 head coaches. The Cardinals were a unanimous selection as the team to beat in both the Atlantic Division and in the conference. Louisville, which set an ACC record for conference wins with a 25-5 mark last season, tallied 98 points while Florida State was the second choice in the division with 74 points. NC State was third (72) and was followed by Notre Dame (50), Clemson (46), Wake Forest (35) and Boston College (17). Miami, which reached the College World Series last year, was named by 13 coaches as the favorite in the Coastal Division. Defending national champion Virginia received one vote for first place in the division and was second with 80 points, followed by North Carolina (71), Georgia Tech (58), Duke (38), Virginia Tech (30), and Pitt (18).
BURDI, SMITH AND SOLAK NAMED TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2016
Junior righthanded pitcher Zack Burdi, junior catcher Will Smith and junior infielder Nick Solak were chosen by Louisville players and coaches as team captains for the Cardinals baseball team in 2016. Burdi was a Third Team Louisville Slugger All-American and All-ACC First Team selection last season while earning a 6-1 record with nine saves and a 0.92 ERA in 20 relief appearances. Smith started 47 games behind the plate in 2015 hitting .242 with two home runs and 15 RBI. Solak emerged as one of Louisville's top offensive players in 2015 hitting .324 with three home runs, 40 RBI, 15 doubles and 18 stolen bases while starting all 65 games.
FOLLOWING THE CARDINALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter (@UofLBaseball) at http://twitter.com/uoflbaseball and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.
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