Fall Softball Wrap Up

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the final day of fall practice in the books, the University of Louisville softball team is one step closer to the start of the 2024 campaign.

After an impressive 2023 season in which the Cards posted a 36-20 overall record tying a program-best ACC win mark with a 16-7 ACC conference record, the Cardinals return 11 letterwinners including all-ACC selections Alyssa Zabala, Daisy Hess and Easton Lotus. The current roster also features 11 newcomers including six freshmen and five transfers.

Cardinals took the field in August and began the process of laying the groundwork for the upcoming season.

"At the start of the fall season, we did several team building activities in an effort to build rapport and unity," said UofL head coach Holly Aprile. "Getting comfortable and acclimating to our team standards, as well as building trust and connection takes time, but we are in a good place heading into the spring."

Louisville compiled a 6-2 record in its exhibition season with a doubleheader sweep of Eastern Kentucky along with wins over Indiana, Southern Indiana and split twin bills against Ohio State and Miami (Ohio).

The Cards boasted a .315 team batting average with five players hitting above .300 while playing in all eight games. Additionally, the team belted out 10 doubles and three home runs with senior Vanessa Miller picking up where she left off at the end of last season with a pair of round trippers.

Other statistical leaders included graduate transfer Riley Frizell producing a team-best eight RBIs while senior Paige Geraghty led the way with seven runs. After leading the team with 24 stolen bases last season, fifth-year senior Daisy Hess ended the fall a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen bases and reached safely in all eight games via a hit or walk.

Aprile is pleased with the progress of the team offensively. "With a combination of solid power and good team speed, we feel like we have the tools we need to produce runs in a variety of ways."

All six pitchers on the roster saw time in the circle delivering 63 strikeouts in 56.0 innings with Alyssa Zabala fanning 19 in 11.0 innings of work.

"The entire pitching staff made very positive strides this fall, demonstrating both depth and the ability to win innings," said Aprile. "All six will potentially see time as a starter, reliever, and closer."
As the semester ends and winter break approaches, the Cardinals will start the countdown to the 2024 season which will feature five teams ranked in the final ESPN.com USA Softball or USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association top-25 last season along with nine NCAA tournament teams including Women's College World Series runner-up Florida State.

"Overall, we have a strong and versatile group that understands the challenge ahead of us," said Aprile. "Our non-conference schedule will be a test and will help prepare us for the rigors of the ACC and beyond. Our goal is always the same. To be the best version of ourselves both on and off the field. This team will be focused and ready to go!
The complete spring schedule will be released in the upcoming weeks.

For the latest on Louisville Softball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @LouisvilleSB and on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleSB.

University of Louisville Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Paige Geraghty

Daisy Hess

Easton Lotus

Vanessa Miller

Alyssa Zabala

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