Softball Gears Up for Oklahoma City Challenge

November 15, 2017 | Softball

Cards set for seventh annual OKC Challenge

By: Lori Korte

The captains have been named, the teams have been drafted and the 2017-18 edition of the Oklahoma City Challenge is set to take place November 16-17 and 20-21 at various locations on campus.

About the Oklahoma City Challenge
In its seventh year, the annual Oklahoma City Challenge is part of Louisville softball's quest to reach the Women's College World Series which is set in Oklahoma City, Okla. Two captains are selected and teams were drafted to compete against one another in a four-day series of events that tests the athleticism and strategic thinking of the teams. A team champion will be crowned at the end of the OKC Challenge. Assistant sports performance coach Molly Binetti designs and oversee the competition and gives instructions to the captains who must relay the information to their respective teams. Each day the teams have opportunities to earn higher point values as the OKC Challenge progresses.

Sophomore Celene Funke was selected as captain of the Black Squad while senior Alison Szydlowski was named the Red Squad captain. The draft was completed Friday and the teams are as follows:

Black Squad: Celene Funke (captain), Megan Hensley, Caitlin Ferguson, Sidney Melton, Sydney Warinner, Catie Barber, Maddy Newman, Paige Schindler, Danielle Watson, Madison Ciaccio,

Red Squad: Alison Szydlowski (captain), Nicole Pufahl, Ashley Nikolao, Jenna Jordan, Jamie Soles, Blaire Bass, Riley Schlindler, Darrianne Hale, Jordyn Wolfe, Madison Cousineau, Kyra Snyder

About Louisville Softball
UofL finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 31-19 and a 14-8 record in conference play. As the No. 2 seed in the ACC Championships, the Cardinals season came to an end at the hand of NC State in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals. Louisville returns 11 players and six starters from last season. In addition to the returning players, the Cards welcome 10 newcomers to the 2017-18 squad.