Cards Put Up 20 Runs in Day Two of Gulf Coast Classic

Saturday, February 21

Fort Myers, Florida

12:15 PM

University of Louisville

10-3

University of Wisconsin

10-3

Louisville

Wisconsin

Taylor Monroe and Madison Pickens Celebrating

February 21, 2026 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Louisville defeated Wisconsin 10-5 before beating UConn 10-2 in five innings.

By: Erin Hughes

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The University of Louisville softball team went 2-0 on the second day of the Hampton Inn Gulf Coast Classic with both wins coming in 10-run fashion. Louisville (11-3) started the day with a 10-5 comeback win over Wisconsin before taking down UConn 10-2 in five innings.

Anna Wise (3-2) took the win in the circle against the Badgers, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just two runs while striking out three batters. Madi Reeves (2-0) secured the win versus the Huskies after giving up one run through 2.2 innings of work.

Madison Pickens totaled seven RBIs on the day, including matching a career-high four RBIs against UConn. The sophomore also hit her second homer of the year when facing Wisconsin. Four Cardinals scored three or more runs on the day, and eight different players batted in runners.

The Badgers struck first with a bases clearing triple in the bottom of the first that quickly put them up 3-0. The top of the third saw Louisville answer as Easton Lotus drove in Jordan Williams with a triple of her own. A double from Pickens plated Lotus before Despines singled to bring home Pickens and tie the score at 3-all.

Janda led off the fourth with another three-bagger and Monroe doubled her home to give the Cards their first lead of the day at 4-3.

Louisville tacked on four runs in the top of the fifth on three hits and a hit by pitch. Pickens, Despines, Janda and Williams all logged RBIs as the Cards pulled ahead 8-3. Pickens' second home run of the year came in the top of the sixth to stretch the lead out 9-3.

Wisconsin added two runs in the home half of the sixth, but a 10th run in the seventh and lights out pitching from Anna Wise sealed the win 10-5 for UofL.

Against UConn, Louisville posted a four-run first inning to get out to a commanding start. Pickens, Monroe and Ava Venturelli all collected RBIs for the Cards as Lotus, Mack, Pickens and Despines crossed home.

The Huskies added one run in the top of the third, but UofL answered with a six-run home half of the inning to get to 10 runs for the second time of the day. Another UConn run in the top of the fifth was not enough as Louisville sealed the run-rule win 10-2.

The Cards will be back in action at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, to take on Buffalo for the second time this weekend and round of their trip at the Gulf Coast Classic.

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Friday, February 20

Bri Despines advances around the bases during the game against Bellarmine at Ulmer Stadium on February 17, 2026.

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Thursday, February 19

ULAA Board Approves Head Coach Holly Aprile's Contract Extension

Thursday, February 19

The Cards celebrate during the game against Bellarmine at Ulmer Stadium on February 17, 2026.

Cards Walk Off Bellarmine in Five Innings in Home Opener

Tuesday, February 17

Next Event

University at Buffalo

Feb 22 (Sun)

9:00 AM

Preview Stats History

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Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Wise, Anna (3-2)

L: Berritt Herr (4-3)

Louisville

Batting:

2B: Pickens, Madison 2 ; Lookadoo, Camryn 1 ; Janda, Riley 1 ; Monroe, Taylor 1 ; Williams, Jordan 1

3B: Lotus, Easton 1 ; Janda, Riley 1

HR: Pickens, Madison 1

RBI: Lotus, Easton 2 ; Pickens, Madison 3 ; Despines, Bri 2 ; Janda, Riley 1 ; Monroe, Taylor 1 ; Williams, Jordan 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Lotus, Easton 1 ; Mack, Chelsea 1 ; Pickens, Madison 3 ; Despines, Bri 1 ; Lookadoo, Camryn 1 ; Janda, Riley 1 ; O'Dell, Addy 1 ; Williams, Jordan 1