Friday, June 3
LOUISVILLE, KY
6:00 PM
University of Louisville
vs
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
WESTERN MICHIGAN
Cardinals Make Final Preparations for NCAA Regional
June 02, 2016 | Baseball
Louisville hosts Western Michigan Friday at 6 p.m., ET; Ohio State & Wright State go at 2 p.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Selected as the No. 2 national seed, the Louisville baseball team begins the Road to Omaha by hosting an NCAA Regional at Jim Patterson Stadium for the fourth consecutive season and the sixth time in eight years.
The top-seeded Cardinals (47-12) play No. 4 Western Michigan (22-32) on Friday at 6 p.m., ET, while the Louisville Regional will open with No. 2 Ohio State (43-18-1) and No. 3 Wright State (44-15) Friday at 2 p.m. Every game of the 2016 NCAA Louisville Regional will be televised by ESPN3. Radio coverage for all Louisville baseball games in the postseason will be provided by 93.9 The Ville. Live scoring links for all of the Cardinals' NCAA Championship games are available at GoCards.com.
PRACTICE DAY AT THE LOUISVILLE REGIONAL
The Cardinals completed their preparations for the 2016 NCAA Regional in Louisville with a 75-minute practice session on Thursday at Jim Patterson Stadium. Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell and juniors Nick Solak and Will Smith met with reporters during a 20-minute news conference in the Omaha Room. Additionally, McDonnell, senior Kyle Funkhouser, junior Corey Ray and sophomore Devin Hairston talked with ESPN broadcasters Dave Neal and Chris Burke on Thursday.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
Louisville enters the NCAA Championship following a 1-2 showing at last week's ACC Championship in Durham, N.C., after clinching a second straight ACC Atlantic Division title the previous week. On the mound, the Cardinals have set a school record with 11 shutouts (No. 3 nationally) this season. Entering the week, the pitching staff was ranked second in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings and seventh in ERA. Offensively, the Cardinals were ninth nationally in batting average, 17th in on-base percentage and 18th in scoring.
NATIONAL SEED FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON, THIRD TIME OVERALL
For the third time in school history and the second straight season, Louisville was tabbed by the NCAA Division I Selection Committee as a national seed for the 2016 NCAA Championship. Named as the No. 7 national seed in 2010 and the No. 3 national seed in 2015, the Cardinals led the nation in RPI top 50 wins in 2016 with 20 (20-12 record overall) and was second overall in the RPI.
BACK-TO-BACK ACC ATLANTIC DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS
A year after setting the single season record for ACC wins in its debut campaign with a 25-5 conference mark, Louisville successfully defended its Atlantic Division title by winning seven of its 10 ACC series in 2016. The Cardinals, who have won five straight regular season conference championships, have lost just three of their 20 ACC series the last two seasons while compiling a 47-13 record during that stretch, including a 27-3 mark at home.
FIVE STRAIGHT 40-WIN SEASONS AT LOUISVILLE
Louisville has reached the 40-win plateau for the fifth straight season and the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. The Cardinals have registered 40 or more regular season wins in four consecutive seasons, including matching a school record with 46 regular season wins in 2016 equaling the totals accomplished in 2010 and 2013.
FEELING AT HOME INSIDE JIM PATTERSON STADIUM
Since opening the gates at Jim Patterson Stadium in 2005, the Cardinals have won more than 77 percent of their games in the ballpark posting a 310-91 record (.773 winning percentage), including an impressive 33-1 mark this season at the corner of Third and Central.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES
• Louisville is one of just four schools to host an NCAA Regional in each of the last four years. Overall, the Cardinals are making their ninth NCAA postseason appearance in the last 10 seasons and the program's 10th NCAA appearance overall.
• The Cardinals are among 10 ACC teams in the 2016 NCAA Championship field, which matches a conference record.
• Louisville played 12 of the other 63 teams in this year's NCAA Championship field finishing with a 22-11 mark overall against those NCAA qualifiers.
• The Cardinals have played each of the three other teams in the NCAA Louisville Regional during the regular season over the last three years, including a 9-1 home win over Wright State earlier this season.
• Overall, Louisville is just 4-22 all-time against Western Michigan but did win two of three against the Broncos in 2014. The Cardinals are 11-4 all-time against Ohio State and 7-7 overall against Wright State.
• Louisville is 19-6 all-time in NCAA postseason games at Jim Patterson Stadium. The Cardinals are 14-3 in NCAA Regional games at home, including nine straight wins.
• In the first five NCAA Regionals hosted at Jim Patterson Stadium, the Cardinals accumulated a 10-0 record during the first two days of competition. Louisville was 3-2 on day three and 1-1 on day four.
• Making their ninth NCAA Championship appearance in the last 10 seasons under head coach Dan McDonnell, the Cardinals are 25-19 record overall in NCAA postseason games during that span.
• During his previous 11 seasons as a collegiate coach, including his final two seasons as an assistant at Ole Miss in 2005 and 2006, McDonnell has advanced to seven NCAA Super Regionals.
• In 20 NCAA postseason games during the last three seasons, the Cardinals were 29-of-42 on stolen bases, including 12 of 14 last season. Louisville was 9-for-15 this season and was 8-for-13 in 2013.
• In eight NCAA postseason appearances on the mound, Kyle Funkhouser has a 3-1 record with a 2.81 ERA (12 ER in 38.1 IP) with 31 strikeouts.
• In 13 career NCAA postseason starts, Nick Solak has a .302 average (13-for-43) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, 10 runs scored, 10 walks and three stolen bases.
• During his 13 NCAA Championship starts, Corey Ray has a .346 (17-for-49) batting average with four doubles and 11 RBI.
• In six NCAA Championship starts last season as a freshman, Devin Hairston hit .409 (9-for-22) with three doubles, four RBI and six runs scored.
• In two NCAA postseason starts on the mound last season, Brendan McKay was 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA, 14 strikeouts and just three walks in 14.2 innings.
TEAM NOTES AND TRENDS
• Louisville enters the NCAA Regional riding a 19-game winning streak at home. Nick Solak (.400), Devin Hairston (.394) and Corey Ray (.371, 11 HR, 40 RBI) pace the offense at home. Drew Harrington and Brendan McKay are both 8-0 at home, while Kade McClure is 7-0.
• Collectively, the Cardinals are hitting .321 (No. 9 nationally entering the week) with eight players hitting .320 or better while starting at least 27 games.
• Louisville has won 183 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 92-of-114 on stolen bases this season (19th nationally entering the week) continuing the aggressive approach from 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 21-for-44 on stolen bases this season as Will Smith has thrown out 12 of 26 attempts.
• Louisville has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 33 of 59 games 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 also entered the week ranked second in the nation in sacrifice flies, third in shutouts, seventh in ERA, seventh in WHIP, ninth in doubles, 11th in fielding percentage, 11th in slugging, 17th in on-base percentage, 18th in scoring, 18th in strikeouts per 9 IP, 25th in home runs, 26th in hit-by-pitch and 28th in strikeout-to-walk ratio.
• Louisville closed the regular season leading the ACC in batting average, ERA, slugging percentage, doubles, RBI and opponents' batting average.
PLAYER NOTES AND TRENDS
Corey Ray: Entered the week ranked fourth in the nation in stolen bases, 26th in total bases and 29th in home runs.
• 12 of Ray's 27 career home runs have either tied the score or given Louisville a lead.
• In the first inning this season (all in the leadoff spot), Ray is hitting .339 with three home runs and 14 runs scored.
Blake Tiberi: Second on team with 13 multiple-RBI games, third with 25 multiple-hit games.
Devin Hairston: All-ACC Third Team honoree ranks 10th in the ACC in hitting, 11th in runs.
Nick Solak: Received All-ACC Second Team honors and ranks third on the team in runs scored despite missing 17 games with hand injury.
• Had reached base safely in 33 straight games before the streak ended March 25 against Virginia after departing in the third inning with a bone bruise on his right hand.
Will Smith: Entered the week ranked sixth in the ACC in hitting, ninth in on-base percentage and second in hit by pitch.
Colby Fitch: Delivered four of five home runs, 22 of 25 RBI in his 27 starts this season.
Danny Rosenbaum: Has 13 career home runs, team high 144 career starts and 203 games played while starting 51 games this season, including 23 straight.
Drew Ellis: Redshirt freshman has 27 starts this season in left field, one at third base and one at second base.
Devin Mann: While being called into everyday duty with the injury to Nick Solak, the freshman managed himself well hitting .307 with eight doubles, 16 RBI and 13 runs scored in the 19 starts.
Colin Lyman: Has 45 starts and 56 total games played this season with all 45 starts coming in right field.
Logan Taylor: Has played in 172 career games with 76 starts, including 39 starts this season.
Brendan McKay: Has recorded eight or more strikeouts in nine of his 15 starts this season and has finished with eight or more strikeouts 16 times in his career.
• McKay ranks among top 25 in the nation with 105 strikeouts this season.
• In 20 career appearances on the mound at home (including 15 starts), McKay is 15-0 with four saves, a 1.34 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 107.1 innings pitched.
• In his 15 collegiate starts at Jim Patterson Stadium, McKay is 14-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 101.1 innings.
• At the plate, the All-ACC First Team utility player ranks seventh in the ACC in doubles.
Drew Harrington: ACC Pitcher of the Year has allowed two or fewer earned runs run in 12 of 15 starts this season.
• Harrington is tied with teammate Brendan McKay for sixth nationally in wins with 11.
• In 10 ACC starts, Harrington was 8-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 67.2 innings.
Kyle Funkhouser: Louisville's career leader in wins (34), strikeouts (370), innings pitched (372.2) and starts (55). He also holds the school record for single season wins with 13 in 2014.
• Funkhouser has won five straight starts and registered 97 mph in the sixth inning on May 21.
Kade McClure: Has won 12 of 13 starts and is tied for the nation's lead in victories. He's also in the top 11 in the nation in WHIP and hits allowed per 9 IP.
Zack Burdi: Named ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week on May 16 after registering three saves during the week of May 10-15. He finished with nine strikeouts without surrendering a hit or a walk in 4.1 innings of shutout work against a trio of nationally ranked foes during that stretch.
• His 19 career saves rank tied for second all-time at Louisville.
HARRINGTON NAMED ACC PITCHER OF THE YEAR, MCDONNELL REPEATS AS COACH OF THE YEAR
Junior lefthander Drew Harrington was named 2016 Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and Dan McDonnell received his second straight ACC Coach of the Year award as the Cardinals led the way on May 23 with nine All-ACC honorees, including five first team selections. Harrington becomes the sixth Louisville player in the last 10 seasons to earn conference pitcher of the year honors as the Cardinals claimed two of the ACC's four major awards for the second consecutive season. The Cardinals also registered five All-ACC First Team selections for the second straight year as Harrington was joined by junior relief pitcher Zack Burdi, junior outfielder Corey Ray and sophomore two-way standout Brendan McKay, who was named to the first team as both a starting pitcher and designated hitter/utility player. Junior second baseman Nick Solak was tabbed as a second team honoree, while junior catcher Will Smith, sophomore shortstop Devin Hairston and sophomore third baseman Blake Tiberi received third team accolades. Additionally, infielder Devin Mann was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.
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.
CARDINALS SET SCHOOL RECORD WITH 11 SHUTOUTS IN 2016
With its 2-0 win over No. 10 NC State on May 13, the Louisville baseball team set a school record with its 11th shutout of the season breaking the previous mark of 10 set during the 2010 season. The Cardinals rank second nationally with the 11 shutouts, while five of those shutouts have come against ACC foes. The starting pitcher breakdown in those 11 shutouts includes four each for Drew Harrington and Brendan McKay, two for Kade McClure and one for Kyle Funkhouser.
LOUISVILLE HONORS SENIOR TRIO OF FUNKHOUSER, KIDSTON AND ROSENBAUM
Prior to the May 15 home game against NC State, the Louisville baseball program honored the senior trio of pitchers Kyle Funkhouser and Anthony Kidston and infielder Danny Rosenbaum. The 2016 senior class has accumulated 190 wins, three conference championships, three straight NCAA Regionals at home, three straight NCAA Super Regional appearances and two College World Series berths.
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 four different occasions this season, including back-to-back games against NC State on May 13-14. Burdi also registered 100 on multiple pitches during the ACC Championship on May 28 in Durham, 100 mph at Wake Forest on May 19, 101 mph at Vanderbilt's Hawkins Field on May 10, 100 mph multiple times at North Carolina's Boshamer Stadium and 100 mph once on the official radar gun at Florida State's Dick Howser Stadium on April 9. Last season, Burdi touched 101 mph on the scoreboard at Clemson's Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
FIVE LOUISVILLE BASEBALL ALUMNI EARN MLB CALLS IN 2016
The 2016 Major League Baseball season has started fast for Louisville baseball alumni as five former Cardinals have gotten the call-up to the big leagues. Adam Duvall (Cincinnati Reds) and Tony Zych (Seattle Mariners) were on opening day rosters while Cody Ege (Miami Marlins), Dean Kiekhefer (St. Louis Cardinals) and Chad Green (Yankees) have been promoted to their respective MLB clubs this season.
FOUR ACC PLAYER, PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN 2016
The Louisville baseball team has accumulated four Atlantic Coast Conference Player or Pitcher of the Week honors this season with junior righthander Zack Burdi becoming the latest addition to that group. Burdi was named as the Pitcher of the Week on May 16, while junior outfielder Corey Ray has received a pair of ACC Player of the Week honors on Feb. 22 and March 28. Additionally, sophomore Brendan McKay was tabbed as the ACC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 29. The Cardinals also received four ACC weekly honors last season.
MCKAY, HAIRSTON ACCEPT INVITES TO USA COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM
Sophomore Brendan McKay has accepted an invitation to compete for the 2016 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer, while Devin Hairston has earned an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the team's training camp. It will mark the second straight year McKay has played for Team USA. 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.
With the addition of McKay and Hairston, Louisville players have earned 12 invitations from the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team overall including 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 marked the 20th 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, has earned international baseball experience.
FUNKHOUSER SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Kyle Funkhouser was named April 26 as a finalist for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate baseball. Funkhouser was among 10 baseball student-athletes, who excel both on and off the diamond, selected as finalists for the prestigious award. Funkhouser becomes the second Louisville player in the last three seasons to be chosen as a finalist for the award joining former Cardinals outfielder Jeff Gardner, a finalist 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.
Finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced in March. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through June 7. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches' votes to determine the winner. This year's Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2016 College World Series® in June. For more information on all of the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
CARDINALS STEAL HOME 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.
STRONG WORK IN THE CLASSROOM CONTINUES FOR THE CARDINALS
The 2016 spring semester proved to be another good one for the Louisville baseball team in the classroom as the Cardinals earned a cumulative team GPA of 3.130 marking the 10th straight semester (5 consecutive years overall) the team has finished with a 3.0 GPG or higher as a group. A total of 27 Louisville players finished the fall semester with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
LOUISVILLE AMONG SEVEN TO HOST SIX REGIONALS IN EIGHT YEARS
Louisville is one of just seven Division I schools to have hosted six or more NCAA Regionals over the last eight seasons (since 2009). That list features Florida (7), Florida State (7), Louisville (6), LSU (6), South Carolina (6), TCU (6) and Virginia (6). Additionally, the Cardinals are among just four teams to host in each of the last four seasons (Florida State, LSU and Vanderbilt).
FIVE STRAIGHT CONFERENCE TITLES IN THREE DIFFERENT LEAGUES
On May 19, 2016, Louisville clinched its second consecutive ACC Atlantic Division championship marking the program's fifth straight regular season conference title across five different leagues. Last season, the Cardinals set an ACC record for regular season wins finishing 25-5 overall to win the Atlantic Division in their debut season in the conference. After finishing with an 18-9 record and sharing the 2012 Big East Conference title with St. John's, the Cardinals stood alone as champions in their final season in the league with a 20-4 mark in 2013. In the program's only season in the American Athletic Conference in 2014, Louisville finished with a 19-5 league record for sole ownership of the inaugural conference title. Overall, the Cardinals have won seven regular season conference championships in 10 seasons under Dan McDonnell.
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.
The top-seeded Cardinals (47-12) play No. 4 Western Michigan (22-32) on Friday at 6 p.m., ET, while the Louisville Regional will open with No. 2 Ohio State (43-18-1) and No. 3 Wright State (44-15) Friday at 2 p.m. Every game of the 2016 NCAA Louisville Regional will be televised by ESPN3. Radio coverage for all Louisville baseball games in the postseason will be provided by 93.9 The Ville. Live scoring links for all of the Cardinals' NCAA Championship games are available at GoCards.com.
PRACTICE DAY AT THE LOUISVILLE REGIONAL
The Cardinals completed their preparations for the 2016 NCAA Regional in Louisville with a 75-minute practice session on Thursday at Jim Patterson Stadium. Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell and juniors Nick Solak and Will Smith met with reporters during a 20-minute news conference in the Omaha Room. Additionally, McDonnell, senior Kyle Funkhouser, junior Corey Ray and sophomore Devin Hairston talked with ESPN broadcasters Dave Neal and Chris Burke on Thursday.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
| GAME DAY INFORMATION 2016 NCAA Regional Location: Louisville, Ky. Venue: Jim Patterson Stadium Twitter Updates: @UofLBaseball Game Notes: Louisville Friday, June 3 | TV: ESPN3 G1: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Wright State - 2 p.m. G2: No. 1 Louisville vs. No. 4 Western Michigan - 6 p.m. Saturday, June 4 | TV: ESPN3 G3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser - Noon G4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner - 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5 | TV: ESPN3 G5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser - Noon G6: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner - 4 p.m. Monday, June 6 (if necessary) | TV: ESPN3 G7: Game 6 Loser vs. Game 6 Winner - 4 p.m. Click Here for Louisville Video, Audio and Live Stats |
Louisville enters the NCAA Championship following a 1-2 showing at last week's ACC Championship in Durham, N.C., after clinching a second straight ACC Atlantic Division title the previous week. On the mound, the Cardinals have set a school record with 11 shutouts (No. 3 nationally) this season. Entering the week, the pitching staff was ranked second in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings and seventh in ERA. Offensively, the Cardinals were ninth nationally in batting average, 17th in on-base percentage and 18th in scoring.
NATIONAL SEED FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON, THIRD TIME OVERALL
For the third time in school history and the second straight season, Louisville was tabbed by the NCAA Division I Selection Committee as a national seed for the 2016 NCAA Championship. Named as the No. 7 national seed in 2010 and the No. 3 national seed in 2015, the Cardinals led the nation in RPI top 50 wins in 2016 with 20 (20-12 record overall) and was second overall in the RPI.
BACK-TO-BACK ACC ATLANTIC DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS
A year after setting the single season record for ACC wins in its debut campaign with a 25-5 conference mark, Louisville successfully defended its Atlantic Division title by winning seven of its 10 ACC series in 2016. The Cardinals, who have won five straight regular season conference championships, have lost just three of their 20 ACC series the last two seasons while compiling a 47-13 record during that stretch, including a 27-3 mark at home.
FIVE STRAIGHT 40-WIN SEASONS AT LOUISVILLE
Louisville has reached the 40-win plateau for the fifth straight season and the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. The Cardinals have registered 40 or more regular season wins in four consecutive seasons, including matching a school record with 46 regular season wins in 2016 equaling the totals accomplished in 2010 and 2013.
FEELING AT HOME INSIDE JIM PATTERSON STADIUM
Since opening the gates at Jim Patterson Stadium in 2005, the Cardinals have won more than 77 percent of their games in the ballpark posting a 310-91 record (.773 winning percentage), including an impressive 33-1 mark this season at the corner of Third and Central.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES
• Louisville is one of just four schools to host an NCAA Regional in each of the last four years. Overall, the Cardinals are making their ninth NCAA postseason appearance in the last 10 seasons and the program's 10th NCAA appearance overall.
• The Cardinals are among 10 ACC teams in the 2016 NCAA Championship field, which matches a conference record.
• Louisville played 12 of the other 63 teams in this year's NCAA Championship field finishing with a 22-11 mark overall against those NCAA qualifiers.
• The Cardinals have played each of the three other teams in the NCAA Louisville Regional during the regular season over the last three years, including a 9-1 home win over Wright State earlier this season.
• Overall, Louisville is just 4-22 all-time against Western Michigan but did win two of three against the Broncos in 2014. The Cardinals are 11-4 all-time against Ohio State and 7-7 overall against Wright State.
• Louisville is 19-6 all-time in NCAA postseason games at Jim Patterson Stadium. The Cardinals are 14-3 in NCAA Regional games at home, including nine straight wins.
• In the first five NCAA Regionals hosted at Jim Patterson Stadium, the Cardinals accumulated a 10-0 record during the first two days of competition. Louisville was 3-2 on day three and 1-1 on day four.
• Making their ninth NCAA Championship appearance in the last 10 seasons under head coach Dan McDonnell, the Cardinals are 25-19 record overall in NCAA postseason games during that span.
• During his previous 11 seasons as a collegiate coach, including his final two seasons as an assistant at Ole Miss in 2005 and 2006, McDonnell has advanced to seven NCAA Super Regionals.
• In 20 NCAA postseason games during the last three seasons, the Cardinals were 29-of-42 on stolen bases, including 12 of 14 last season. Louisville was 9-for-15 this season and was 8-for-13 in 2013.
• In eight NCAA postseason appearances on the mound, Kyle Funkhouser has a 3-1 record with a 2.81 ERA (12 ER in 38.1 IP) with 31 strikeouts.
• In 13 career NCAA postseason starts, Nick Solak has a .302 average (13-for-43) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, 10 runs scored, 10 walks and three stolen bases.
• During his 13 NCAA Championship starts, Corey Ray has a .346 (17-for-49) batting average with four doubles and 11 RBI.
• In six NCAA Championship starts last season as a freshman, Devin Hairston hit .409 (9-for-22) with three doubles, four RBI and six runs scored.
• In two NCAA postseason starts on the mound last season, Brendan McKay was 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA, 14 strikeouts and just three walks in 14.2 innings.
TEAM NOTES AND TRENDS
• Louisville enters the NCAA Regional riding a 19-game winning streak at home. Nick Solak (.400), Devin Hairston (.394) and Corey Ray (.371, 11 HR, 40 RBI) pace the offense at home. Drew Harrington and Brendan McKay are both 8-0 at home, while Kade McClure is 7-0.
• Collectively, the Cardinals are hitting .321 (No. 9 nationally entering the week) with eight players hitting .320 or better while starting at least 27 games.
• Louisville has won 183 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 92-of-114 on stolen bases this season (19th nationally entering the week) continuing the aggressive approach from 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 21-for-44 on stolen bases this season as Will Smith has thrown out 12 of 26 attempts.
• Louisville has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 33 of 59 games 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 also entered the week ranked second in the nation in sacrifice flies, third in shutouts, seventh in ERA, seventh in WHIP, ninth in doubles, 11th in fielding percentage, 11th in slugging, 17th in on-base percentage, 18th in scoring, 18th in strikeouts per 9 IP, 25th in home runs, 26th in hit-by-pitch and 28th in strikeout-to-walk ratio.
• Louisville closed the regular season leading the ACC in batting average, ERA, slugging percentage, doubles, RBI and opponents' batting average.
PLAYER NOTES AND TRENDS
Corey Ray: Entered the week ranked fourth in the nation in stolen bases, 26th in total bases and 29th in home runs.
• 12 of Ray's 27 career home runs have either tied the score or given Louisville a lead.
• In the first inning this season (all in the leadoff spot), Ray is hitting .339 with three home runs and 14 runs scored.
Blake Tiberi: Second on team with 13 multiple-RBI games, third with 25 multiple-hit games.
Devin Hairston: All-ACC Third Team honoree ranks 10th in the ACC in hitting, 11th in runs.
Nick Solak: Received All-ACC Second Team honors and ranks third on the team in runs scored despite missing 17 games with hand injury.
• Had reached base safely in 33 straight games before the streak ended March 25 against Virginia after departing in the third inning with a bone bruise on his right hand.
Will Smith: Entered the week ranked sixth in the ACC in hitting, ninth in on-base percentage and second in hit by pitch.
Colby Fitch: Delivered four of five home runs, 22 of 25 RBI in his 27 starts this season.
Danny Rosenbaum: Has 13 career home runs, team high 144 career starts and 203 games played while starting 51 games this season, including 23 straight.
Drew Ellis: Redshirt freshman has 27 starts this season in left field, one at third base and one at second base.
Devin Mann: While being called into everyday duty with the injury to Nick Solak, the freshman managed himself well hitting .307 with eight doubles, 16 RBI and 13 runs scored in the 19 starts.
Colin Lyman: Has 45 starts and 56 total games played this season with all 45 starts coming in right field.
Logan Taylor: Has played in 172 career games with 76 starts, including 39 starts this season.
Brendan McKay: Has recorded eight or more strikeouts in nine of his 15 starts this season and has finished with eight or more strikeouts 16 times in his career.
• McKay ranks among top 25 in the nation with 105 strikeouts this season.
• In 20 career appearances on the mound at home (including 15 starts), McKay is 15-0 with four saves, a 1.34 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 107.1 innings pitched.
• In his 15 collegiate starts at Jim Patterson Stadium, McKay is 14-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 101.1 innings.
• At the plate, the All-ACC First Team utility player ranks seventh in the ACC in doubles.
Drew Harrington: ACC Pitcher of the Year has allowed two or fewer earned runs run in 12 of 15 starts this season.
• Harrington is tied with teammate Brendan McKay for sixth nationally in wins with 11.
• In 10 ACC starts, Harrington was 8-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 67.2 innings.
Kyle Funkhouser: Louisville's career leader in wins (34), strikeouts (370), innings pitched (372.2) and starts (55). He also holds the school record for single season wins with 13 in 2014.
• Funkhouser has won five straight starts and registered 97 mph in the sixth inning on May 21.
Kade McClure: Has won 12 of 13 starts and is tied for the nation's lead in victories. He's also in the top 11 in the nation in WHIP and hits allowed per 9 IP.
Zack Burdi: Named ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week on May 16 after registering three saves during the week of May 10-15. He finished with nine strikeouts without surrendering a hit or a walk in 4.1 innings of shutout work against a trio of nationally ranked foes during that stretch.
• His 19 career saves rank tied for second all-time at Louisville.
HARRINGTON NAMED ACC PITCHER OF THE YEAR, MCDONNELL REPEATS AS COACH OF THE YEAR
Junior lefthander Drew Harrington was named 2016 Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and Dan McDonnell received his second straight ACC Coach of the Year award as the Cardinals led the way on May 23 with nine All-ACC honorees, including five first team selections. Harrington becomes the sixth Louisville player in the last 10 seasons to earn conference pitcher of the year honors as the Cardinals claimed two of the ACC's four major awards for the second consecutive season. The Cardinals also registered five All-ACC First Team selections for the second straight year as Harrington was joined by junior relief pitcher Zack Burdi, junior outfielder Corey Ray and sophomore two-way standout Brendan McKay, who was named to the first team as both a starting pitcher and designated hitter/utility player. Junior second baseman Nick Solak was tabbed as a second team honoree, while junior catcher Will Smith, sophomore shortstop Devin Hairston and sophomore third baseman Blake Tiberi received third team accolades. Additionally, infielder Devin Mann was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.
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.
CARDINALS SET SCHOOL RECORD WITH 11 SHUTOUTS IN 2016
With its 2-0 win over No. 10 NC State on May 13, the Louisville baseball team set a school record with its 11th shutout of the season breaking the previous mark of 10 set during the 2010 season. The Cardinals rank second nationally with the 11 shutouts, while five of those shutouts have come against ACC foes. The starting pitcher breakdown in those 11 shutouts includes four each for Drew Harrington and Brendan McKay, two for Kade McClure and one for Kyle Funkhouser.
LOUISVILLE HONORS SENIOR TRIO OF FUNKHOUSER, KIDSTON AND ROSENBAUM
Prior to the May 15 home game against NC State, the Louisville baseball program honored the senior trio of pitchers Kyle Funkhouser and Anthony Kidston and infielder Danny Rosenbaum. The 2016 senior class has accumulated 190 wins, three conference championships, three straight NCAA Regionals at home, three straight NCAA Super Regional appearances and two College World Series berths.
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 four different occasions this season, including back-to-back games against NC State on May 13-14. Burdi also registered 100 on multiple pitches during the ACC Championship on May 28 in Durham, 100 mph at Wake Forest on May 19, 101 mph at Vanderbilt's Hawkins Field on May 10, 100 mph multiple times at North Carolina's Boshamer Stadium and 100 mph once on the official radar gun at Florida State's Dick Howser Stadium on April 9. Last season, Burdi touched 101 mph on the scoreboard at Clemson's Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
FIVE LOUISVILLE BASEBALL ALUMNI EARN MLB CALLS IN 2016
The 2016 Major League Baseball season has started fast for Louisville baseball alumni as five former Cardinals have gotten the call-up to the big leagues. Adam Duvall (Cincinnati Reds) and Tony Zych (Seattle Mariners) were on opening day rosters while Cody Ege (Miami Marlins), Dean Kiekhefer (St. Louis Cardinals) and Chad Green (Yankees) have been promoted to their respective MLB clubs this season.
FOUR ACC PLAYER, PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN 2016
The Louisville baseball team has accumulated four Atlantic Coast Conference Player or Pitcher of the Week honors this season with junior righthander Zack Burdi becoming the latest addition to that group. Burdi was named as the Pitcher of the Week on May 16, while junior outfielder Corey Ray has received a pair of ACC Player of the Week honors on Feb. 22 and March 28. Additionally, sophomore Brendan McKay was tabbed as the ACC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 29. The Cardinals also received four ACC weekly honors last season.
MCKAY, HAIRSTON ACCEPT INVITES TO USA COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM
Sophomore Brendan McKay has accepted an invitation to compete for the 2016 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer, while Devin Hairston has earned an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the team's training camp. It will mark the second straight year McKay has played for Team USA. 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.
With the addition of McKay and Hairston, Louisville players have earned 12 invitations from the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team overall including 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 marked the 20th 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, has earned international baseball experience.
FUNKHOUSER SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Kyle Funkhouser was named April 26 as a finalist for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate baseball. Funkhouser was among 10 baseball student-athletes, who excel both on and off the diamond, selected as finalists for the prestigious award. Funkhouser becomes the second Louisville player in the last three seasons to be chosen as a finalist for the award joining former Cardinals outfielder Jeff Gardner, a finalist 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.
Finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced in March. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through June 7. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches' votes to determine the winner. This year's Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2016 College World Series® in June. For more information on all of the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
CARDINALS STEAL HOME 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.
STRONG WORK IN THE CLASSROOM CONTINUES FOR THE CARDINALS
The 2016 spring semester proved to be another good one for the Louisville baseball team in the classroom as the Cardinals earned a cumulative team GPA of 3.130 marking the 10th straight semester (5 consecutive years overall) the team has finished with a 3.0 GPG or higher as a group. A total of 27 Louisville players finished the fall semester with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
LOUISVILLE AMONG SEVEN TO HOST SIX REGIONALS IN EIGHT YEARS
Louisville is one of just seven Division I schools to have hosted six or more NCAA Regionals over the last eight seasons (since 2009). That list features Florida (7), Florida State (7), Louisville (6), LSU (6), South Carolina (6), TCU (6) and Virginia (6). Additionally, the Cardinals are among just four teams to host in each of the last four seasons (Florida State, LSU and Vanderbilt).
FIVE STRAIGHT CONFERENCE TITLES IN THREE DIFFERENT LEAGUES
On May 19, 2016, Louisville clinched its second consecutive ACC Atlantic Division championship marking the program's fifth straight regular season conference title across five different leagues. Last season, the Cardinals set an ACC record for regular season wins finishing 25-5 overall to win the Atlantic Division in their debut season in the conference. After finishing with an 18-9 record and sharing the 2012 Big East Conference title with St. John's, the Cardinals stood alone as champions in their final season in the league with a 20-4 mark in 2013. In the program's only season in the American Athletic Conference in 2014, Louisville finished with a 19-5 league record for sole ownership of the inaugural conference title. Overall, the Cardinals have won seven regular season conference championships in 10 seasons under Dan McDonnell.
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.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
3B
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
SS
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP/1B
/ Baseball
1B/3B
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
3B
/ BaseballBSB: 2025 Louisville Baseball Super Regional Recap
Wednesday, June 11
BSB: 2025 Louisville Baseball Regional Recap
Friday, June 06
BSB: Lucas Moore Postgame vs. Vanderbilt
Wednesday, May 07
BSB: Dan McDonnell Postgame vs. Vanderbilt
Wednesday, May 07
