Louisville Cardinals
Big East (50-3, 20-2)
Louisville returned a lot of talent for the 2012 campaign, but this was a team that went 38-20 in 2011. The expectations were higher, but few expected that this Cardinals team would tower above the rest of the surprisingly strong Big East and be a major player on the national level.
Big Wins: 3/10 vs Michigan (2-1), 3/28 vs Kentucky (1-0), 4/18 vs South Florida (9-0)
Bad Losses: 3/31 vs DePaul (1-7), 4/1 vs DePaul (0-3), 5/2 vs Tennessee (1-8)
Coach: Sandy Pearsall (13 seasons at Louisville)
Why They Can Surprise:
Three of the key returning players for Louisville this season were Tori Collins, Caralisa Connell and Chelsea Thomas. A year older and a year wiser, the pitching trio for Louisville has been nearly unhittable. The team allows fewer than one and a half runs per game. Collins is the senior leader of the staff and has been the most consistent pitcher for Louisville this season. But Connell is improving with every game, although she is not as much of a strike out threat as Collins. But however they get the job done, the Louisville pitching staff has certainly taken care of business in 2012.
Why They Can Disappoint:
For as much talent as Louisville has in their lineup, they do not score nearly as many runs as they should. This is a team that ranks in the top 20 in batting average and in the top ten in doubles and triples per game. Yet, they only score a tad over five runs per contest. There are some great hitters on this team, most notably Taner Fowler. The sophomore had a decent debut campaign, but has really stepped up her game in 2012 and is leading the Cardinals in home runs and has boosted her batting average to well over the .350 mark. With players like Kristin Austin, Alicia Wolny and Jennifer Esteban also batting around .350, the Cardinals offense has plenty of weapons. Part of the scoring problem is a lack of base stealing threats, but the bigger issue seems to be simply inopportune hitting. Sooner or later that will catch up to Louisville. When they start facing off against some of the better teams in the Big 12, SEC and Pac-12, the Cardinals will have to take advantage of their opportunities. For the most part it has not mattered much yet this season, but it will.
Key Field Players:
Kristin Austin, Senior, OF, .401 BA, 18 RBI
Taner Fowler, Sophmore, C/IF, .370 BA, 11 HR, 46 RBI
Alicia Wolny, Junior, 1B, .374 BA, 7 HR, 35 RBI
Jennifer Esteban, Junior, OF, .335 BA, 8 RBI, 15 SB
Katie Keller, Sophomore, 2B, .308 BA, 7 HR, 39 RBI
Whitney Arion, Freshman, IF/OF, .308 BA, 7 HR, 32 RBI
Jordan Trimble, Sophomore, UTL, .297 BA, 29 RBI
Key Pitchers:
Tori Collins, Senior, Pitcher, 1.25 ERA, 23-1 W/L, 11 CG, 156.1 IP, 171 SO
Caralisa Connell, Sophomore, Pitcher, 1.47 ERA, 18-1 W/L, 5 CG, 114.0 IP, 95 SO
Chelsea Leonard, Sophomore, Pitcher, 1.35 ERA, 9-1 W/L, 83.0 IP, 101 SO, 10 SV
By the Numbers:
Batting Average: .313 (18th in nation, 1st in conference)
Earned Run Average: 1.33 (5, 2)
Fielding Percentage: .974 (17, 2)
Scoring Offense: 5.32 (31, 1)
Home Runs per Game: 0.81 (58, 4)
Doubles per Game: 1.62 (6, 1)
Triples per Game: 0.32 (6, 1)
Stolen Bases per Game: 0.89 (132, 8)
Slugging Percentage: .488 (16, 1)
Double Plays per Game: 0.13 (265, 12)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2011 | Regional | defeated Illinois Chicago, lost to California, defeated Jacksonville State, eliminated by California |
| 2010 | Regional | lost to Virginia, defeated Ball State, defeated Virginia, eliminated by Tennessee |
| 2009 | Regional | defeated Purdue, lost to Arizona, defeated Purdue, eliminated by Arizona |
| 2008 | Regional | lost to Virginia Tech, defeated Winthrop, eliminated by Tennessee |
| 2007 | Regional | defeated Oregon State, lost to Michigan, eliminated by Oregon State |
*all team stats through 5/6
See All Softball Postseason Capsules
