2018 Bullpen Club Dinner Kicks Off Softball Season
January 21, 2018 | Softball
The University of Louisville softball team kicked off the 2018 season with its 11th annual Bullpen Club Dinner which was held on January 20 at the Brown & Williamson Club at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
Â
"This was our 11th Bullpen Club Dinner and each and each one has special in its own right," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We are just so fortunate and grateful to have so many people join us on this night and support us throughout the season. This is a great opportunity for our current players to connect with the alums who helped lay the groundwork for what we have today. I think Margie Wright really helped drive that home tonight when she spoke about having humility and appreciation for those who came before them."
Â
The annual fundraiser saw nearly 200 guests with several former players, including UofL Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Keola Calderon (2000-03) in attendance. The 2018 team was introduced - the Cardinals return a group of 10 veterans and add 11 newcomers to the field. Pearsall took the stage to introduce her staff and preview the upcoming season. Â
Â
Keynote speaker, Hall of Fame coach Margie Wright relayed her early experiences in playing sports before Title IX and spoke about the journey of her storied career which included 27 years at Fresno State where she guided the softball program to 10 Women's College World Series appearances and the 1998 national championship. Throughout her talk, she spoke to the team and coaches about the characteristics that help define a championship team.
Â
About Louisville Softball:
• The Cardinals will open the 2018 season Feb. 10-12 at the UCF Softball Invitational Feb. 9-12 in Orlando, Fla., where they will face Butler, UCF, North Carolina, North Florida and Illinois.
• In 2017, Louisville posted a 31-19 overall record and finished the season with a 14-8 mark in ACC play which placed the Cardinals second in the final ACC regular season standings.
• The Cardinals return six starters from last season including 2017 all-ACC selection senior Nicole Pufahl and all-ACC freshman team member sophomore Caitlin Ferguson as well as 2016 all-ACC selection junior Megan Hensley.
 • Sandy Pearsall enters her 19th 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 NCAA regional appearances and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Â
Â
Â
"This was our 11th Bullpen Club Dinner and each and each one has special in its own right," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We are just so fortunate and grateful to have so many people join us on this night and support us throughout the season. This is a great opportunity for our current players to connect with the alums who helped lay the groundwork for what we have today. I think Margie Wright really helped drive that home tonight when she spoke about having humility and appreciation for those who came before them."
Â
The annual fundraiser saw nearly 200 guests with several former players, including UofL Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Keola Calderon (2000-03) in attendance. The 2018 team was introduced - the Cardinals return a group of 10 veterans and add 11 newcomers to the field. Pearsall took the stage to introduce her staff and preview the upcoming season. Â
Â
Keynote speaker, Hall of Fame coach Margie Wright relayed her early experiences in playing sports before Title IX and spoke about the journey of her storied career which included 27 years at Fresno State where she guided the softball program to 10 Women's College World Series appearances and the 1998 national championship. Throughout her talk, she spoke to the team and coaches about the characteristics that help define a championship team.
Â
About Louisville Softball:
• The Cardinals will open the 2018 season Feb. 10-12 at the UCF Softball Invitational Feb. 9-12 in Orlando, Fla., where they will face Butler, UCF, North Carolina, North Florida and Illinois.
• In 2017, Louisville posted a 31-19 overall record and finished the season with a 14-8 mark in ACC play which placed the Cardinals second in the final ACC regular season standings.
• The Cardinals return six starters from last season including 2017 all-ACC selection senior Nicole Pufahl and all-ACC freshman team member sophomore Caitlin Ferguson as well as 2016 all-ACC selection junior Megan Hensley.
 • Sandy Pearsall enters her 19th 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 NCAA regional appearances and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
Highlights: Louisville SB vs. No. 18 Florida State (Gm. 1)
Thursday, July 11
Highlights: Louisville SB at Boston College
Sunday, May 05
SB: Daisy Hess and Sam Booe Postgame vs. #22/21 Clemson
Saturday, April 27
Highlights: Louisville SB vs. No. 22/21 Clemson (Gm. 2)
Saturday, April 27
