Cards Fall Just Short to No. 6/7 Florida State in Series Opener

Friday, April 25

LOUISVILLE, KY

8:00 PM

University of Louisville

23-22, 0

Florida State

41-6, 0

Florida State

Louisville

Cards Fall Just Short to No. 6/7 Florida State in Series Opener

April 26, 2025 | Softball

Box Score

Louisville mounted a nine-run comeback but fell short 10-9 on Friday evening

By: Kennedy Knisley

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In a thrilling Friday night battle at Ulmer Stadium, the University of Louisville softball team mounted a late-inning surge but ultimately fell just short against No. 7 Florida State, dropping a 10-9 heartbreaker in ACC play.

The Seminoles jumped out to a lead early, scoring five runs in the first inning and four more in the second, capitalizing on four hits and two errors in the opening frame.

Louisville showed resilience, clawing back with a five-run fifth inning sparked by a two-run homer from Bri Despines and a clutch RBI double from Riley Janda. In the seventh, the Cardinals mounted one final push, scoring four runs—including a two-RBI single from Ally Alexander—to cut the deficit to one. Florida State closer Jazzy Francik entered the game with the bases loaded and allowed just one hit to secure the Seminole win.

Despite the loss, the Cardinals tallied 10 hits on the evening. Despines and Alexander led the team with two RBIs a piece, while Camryn Lookadoo, Janda, and Katie Thatcher each contributed key extra-base hits. The bullpen effort by Sam Booe and Lindsey Mullen limited FSU to just one run over the final five innings, giving Louisville a chance to rally.

Annabelle Widra earned the win for Florida State (9-2), while Alyssa Zabala took the loss. Louisville moves to 23-22 overall and 6-13 in the ACC.

Louisville returns to action tomorrow in Game 2 of the series, aiming to even the series against the top-10 ranked Seminoles. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on the ACCNX. Senior Day festivities will occur prior to tomorrow's game.