Cardinals Play Host to Bellarmine in 2023 Home Opener

Tuesday, February 28

LOUISVILLE, KY

5:00 PM

University of Louisville

Bellarmine

The softball team cheers after a Taylor Roby home run in a fall scrimmage

Photo by: Amanda Roussin

February 27, 2023 | Softball

Cards will take on Bellarmine Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium

By: Lori Harmon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After three straight weeks on the road to start the season, the Cardinals will open a six-game home stand at Ulmer Stadium starting with a Feb. 28 matchup against cross-town rival Bellarmine. First pitch is at 5 p.m. and admission is free.

GAME DAY INFORMATION
Louisville vs. Bellarmine
Date: Feb. 28, 2023, 5 p.m.
Venue: Don Dobina Field at Ulmer Stadium
Coverage: Live Scoring | ACCNX – Suzanne Bush (PXP), Dr. Joanna Lane (Analyst) | Game Notes
Admission: Free
Gates open: One (1) hour prior to the first game of the day
Clear Bag Policy: A Clear Bag Policy remains in place at all UofL athletics facilities. Fans may bring one clear bag, either a one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag, or a 12 x 6 x 12 inches clear tote bag.
Parking: Fans are encouraged to park in the Floyd Street Parking Garage for a $5 fee.
Social Media: Fans can follow Louisville Softball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at Louisville SB

QUICK HITS
• UofL brings a 10-4 overall record and a four-game winning streak into Tuesday's home opener.
• The Cardinals are receiving votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball coaches' poll released on Feb. 22.
• Louisville is 17-6 in home openers in the history of the program.
• In Saturday's 8-0 win against Bradley, graduate senior Taylor Roby hit a two-run homer two extend her career home run total to 43, taking sole possession of Louisville's all-time home run record. The previous mark of 42 was set by Courtney Moore who played for the Cardinals from 2004-07.
• Senior Daisy Hess has reached base via a hit or walk in 11 straight games while senior Hannah File is on a six-game hitting streak.
• File leads the team with a .500 batting average. Roby has belted out a team-best five home runs with 14 RBIs.
• Korbe Otis has registered 14 runs and is 5-for-5 in stolen bases. She recently tied the school record with three doubles in the win at No. 23/25 UCF.
• Louisville is batting .299 as a team with six players hitting above .300.
• Alyssa Zabala (5-1) carries a 1.99 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 31.2 innings of work. The freshman was named to the NFCA Leadoff All-Tournament team after an impressive collegiate debut.
• Saturday's 8-2 win over Columbia marked head coach Holly Aprile's 100^th victory at Louisville.
• Louisville was picked to finish seventh in the 2023 ACC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

THE HOLLY APRILE ERA
• Head coach Holly Aprile is entering her fifth season as UofL's head coach. During her time at the helm – which includes the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season, Aprile guided the Cardinals to 103 wins and an NCAA regional final appearance in 2019.
• Prior to her arrival at Louisville, Aprile, the 2018 ACC Coach of the Year spent 10 seasons (2009-18) as Pittsburgh's head coach and five years (2004-08) as an assistant. In 2018, she earned ACC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Panthers to the 2018 ACC Coastal Division title and a runner-up finish in the ACC tournament.
CARDS AGAINST THE OPPONENTS
Bellarmine
Series Record: Louisville leads 1-0
Last Meeting: March 9, 2022 - UL won 8-1 at Ulmer Stadium
Scouting the Knights: Bellarmine brings a 1-13 overall record into the weekend after competing in Murray State's Velvet Milkman Invitational last weekend.
• The Knights are led by Anna Greenwell who carries a .297 batting average. Chloe Collins follow at .273 with a team-high three home runs and seven RBIs.
• Claire Lehmkuhler has carried the bulk of the pitching duties with 35 strikeouts in 32.1 innings of work.

ON DECK FOR THE CARDINAL CLASSIC
NORTHWESTERN
Series Record: Tied 7-7
Last Meeting: March 7, 2020 - UL won 3-1 at Ulmer Stadium.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Series Record: Louisville leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Feb. 23, 2014 - Louisville won 8-0 at Ulmer Stadium
TOLEDO
Series Record: Louisville leads 3-0
Last Meeting: March 24, 2006 - UL won 12-0 at Ulmer Stadium

UP NEXT
The Cardinals will go back on the road to face Duke in their Atlantic Coast Conference opening series March 10-12 and will stay on the road for a midweek matchup at Charlotte.

LAST UP
The Cardinals went 4-1 in the UCF Knights Classic with wins over Columbia, Bradley and Purdue and host No. 23/25 UCF. In the tournament, UofL outscored opponents 38-14 and tallied a pair of eight-run rule victories. Korbe Otis led the way at the plate last weekend with a .615 batting average, three doubles, seven runs, a 1.077 slugging percentage and .750 on-base percentage. Alyssa Zabala and Taylor Roby each picked up a pair of wins with Zabala also earning her first collegiate save in the 4-3 win over Purdue.