Softball Kicks off 2017 Season with Tenth-Annual Bullpen Club Dinner
January 22, 2017 | Softball
Nearly 200 guests were in attendance as the 2017 softball team was introduced and guest speaker Sierra Romero addressed the crowd
The University of Louisville softball team kicked off the 2017 season with its tenth annual Bullpen Club Dinner which was held on January 21 at the Galt House.
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"It's hard to believe that this is our tenth Bullpen Club dinner," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We have been very fortunate to have some tremendous guest speakers, like Sierra Romero, who are among the elite players in our sport. It is also a great opportunity for people to get to know our current players and their families as well as the alums who return. We are truly grateful for everyone who attended the dinner."
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With nearly 200 guests including several former players in attendance, the 2017 team was introduced and head coach Sandy Pearsall took the stage to introduce her staff and preview the upcoming season. Â The Cardinals return a group of 15 veterans and add five newcomers to a squad which will face a schedule that features nine games against top-25 opponents including 2016 national champion Oklahoma.
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Keynote speaker Sierra Romero, the 2016 USA Softball and National Fastpitch Coaches Collegiate Player of the Year addressed the crowd. The overall No. 2 pick in the National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) College draft recalled highlights of her career and encouraged all softball players in attendance to enjoy the game and to support and encourage their teammates.
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During the program Pearsall and the 2017 team also honored Don Dobina, an ardent supporter and member of the Louisville Softball family who recently passed away. The team will be wearing special bracelets  in his honor during games this season.
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The Cardinals will open the 2017 season Feb. 10-12 at UNLV's Sportco Kick-Off Classic where they will face Southern Utah, CSU Bakersfield, UNLV and Indiana State. UofL is coming off of a 35-17 campaign and posted second place finish in the ACC in 2016.
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About Louisville Softball:
• The Cards return 15 players from last year's team including All-ACC selections Maryssa Becker, Megan Hensley and Jordan McNary while welcoming five newcomers.
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• Sandy Pearsall enters her 18th season as UofL's head coach. After building the program from scratch in 2000, Pearsall has guided the Cardinals to six conference championships. Under her watch, Louisville has made 13 consecutive NCAA regional appearances and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
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"It's hard to believe that this is our tenth Bullpen Club dinner," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We have been very fortunate to have some tremendous guest speakers, like Sierra Romero, who are among the elite players in our sport. It is also a great opportunity for people to get to know our current players and their families as well as the alums who return. We are truly grateful for everyone who attended the dinner."
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With nearly 200 guests including several former players in attendance, the 2017 team was introduced and head coach Sandy Pearsall took the stage to introduce her staff and preview the upcoming season. Â The Cardinals return a group of 15 veterans and add five newcomers to a squad which will face a schedule that features nine games against top-25 opponents including 2016 national champion Oklahoma.
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Keynote speaker Sierra Romero, the 2016 USA Softball and National Fastpitch Coaches Collegiate Player of the Year addressed the crowd. The overall No. 2 pick in the National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) College draft recalled highlights of her career and encouraged all softball players in attendance to enjoy the game and to support and encourage their teammates.
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During the program Pearsall and the 2017 team also honored Don Dobina, an ardent supporter and member of the Louisville Softball family who recently passed away. The team will be wearing special bracelets  in his honor during games this season.
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The Cardinals will open the 2017 season Feb. 10-12 at UNLV's Sportco Kick-Off Classic where they will face Southern Utah, CSU Bakersfield, UNLV and Indiana State. UofL is coming off of a 35-17 campaign and posted second place finish in the ACC in 2016.
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About Louisville Softball:
• The Cards return 15 players from last year's team including All-ACC selections Maryssa Becker, Megan Hensley and Jordan McNary while welcoming five newcomers.
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• Sandy Pearsall enters her 18th season as UofL's head coach. After building the program from scratch in 2000, Pearsall has guided the Cardinals to six conference championships. Under her watch, Louisville has made 13 consecutive NCAA regional appearances and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
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