Louisville
Overall Rank: #35
Conference Rank: #2 Big East
Although plagued by injuries throughout the season, the Cardinals still managed to post a 38-20 record and a runner-up position in the Big East Conference tournament Louisville also hosted an NCAA Regional for the second time in three years. Eight starters are among the 12 letter winners back for Louisville coach Sandy Pearsall including three pitchers. Pearsall started the program in 2000 and has compiled a record of 451-256 (.638) and is 701-590 overall in 25 years of coaching college softball. The Cardinals open the season February 10-12 in Miami, FL in the FIU Combat Classic Tournament.
2011: 38-20, 12-7
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Sandy Pearsall
Field Players:
Eight starters are among the squad of 19 that includes 12 letter winners. Only two starters were lost through graduation but they were outstanding shortstop Colby Wherry (.368, 6 homers, 8 doubles and 28 RBIs) and third baseman Chelsea Bemis (.343, 12 homers and 49 RBIs). Starters back are Jordan Trimble (OF, .410), Alicja Wolny (1B, .375), Jennifer Esteban (OF, .335), Hannah Kiyohara (OF, .331), Katie Keller (2B, .320), Maggie Ruckenbrod (C, .313), Taner Fowler (DP,C, .253) and Kristin Austin (OF, .271). Newcomers are all freshmen: Trista Cox (C,1B), Kayla Soles (SS/3B), Kirsten Straley (OF) and Whitney Arion (SS, 3B, OF). Five of the returning starters earned All-Big East honors: Wolney, Keller, Kiyohara, Connell and Esteban. The Cards were led offensively by first baseman Wolny who batted .375 with 18 doubles and 39 RBIs.
Pitchers:
All of the team’s three pitchers are returning, Caralisa Connell, Tori Collins and Chelsea Leonard. Connell compiled a 20-7 record with 2.40 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 186.1 innings. The number of wins was a freshman record. Collins finished 16-12 with 2.19 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 185 innings pitched despite being sidelined for three weeks with an injury. Leonard was 1-1 with a 6.72 ERA. They finished with a team ERA of 2.61. Ruckenbroad will handle the catching and had a .991 fielding percentage last season, making only three errors.
Final Projection:
This is a veteran team that is capable of advancing to a Super Regional. If the team stays healthy, it has the potential to have one of the best seasons in Louisville softball history. The team is seeking its ninth consecutive NCAA appearance.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Jennifer Esteban, OF, 203
Hits: Jennifer Esteban, OF, 68
Home Runs: Katie Keller, IF, 6
RBIs: Katie Keller, IF, 31
Runs: Katie Keller, IF, 46
Stolen Bases: Jennifer Esteban, OF, 19
Wins: Caralisa Connell, P, 20
Innings Pitched: Tori Collins, P, 185
Strikeouts: Tori Collins, P, 184
Saves: Tori Collins, P, 3
