Springtime surprises
As I was growing up, it often seemed there were no college sports to get excited about after the NCAA basketball championship game. After a few days of acute withdrawal, I reset my sights to major league baseball.
I don't do that any more -- especially not this year.
University of Louisville women's softball and University of Kentucky baseball have exploded into dominance, so much so that an otherwise fine U of L baseball season has flown pretty much under the radar -- except for two poundings of top-ranked UK.
The softball Cards, as of this writing, have produced a credulity-straining 44-2 overall record, 14-2 in Big East play. That's right -- 44 wins, two losses. Ace senior pitcher Tori Collins is 21-1, and pulled a Johnny Vander Meer when she tossed back-to-back no-hitters against Longwood two weekends ago. U of L is poised to claim the top seed in the conference tournament, and barring a total collapse, should find itself playing some NCAA games at home in Ulmer Stadium.
UK baseball, meanwhile, has run roughshod over every team on its schedule not named Louisville -- the Cards are the only squad that has beaten the Cats more than once. Kentucky has spent most of the season atop at least one of the three major polls, and has won every series is Southeastern Conference play this year.
The baseball Cards swept UK this season for the first time since 1999, and their 12-0 win at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Apr. 10 marked their first shutout of the Cats in Lexington in 78 years. Heading into this weekend's home series against Connecticut, U of L stands 29-12 overall and tied with the Huskies for the Big East lead at 10-5.
And oh, by the way -- U of L men's tennis has repeated as Big East champions.
I don't do that any more -- especially not this year.
University of Louisville women's softball and University of Kentucky baseball have exploded into dominance, so much so that an otherwise fine U of L baseball season has flown pretty much under the radar -- except for two poundings of top-ranked UK.
The softball Cards, as of this writing, have produced a credulity-straining 44-2 overall record, 14-2 in Big East play. That's right -- 44 wins, two losses. Ace senior pitcher Tori Collins is 21-1, and pulled a Johnny Vander Meer when she tossed back-to-back no-hitters against Longwood two weekends ago. U of L is poised to claim the top seed in the conference tournament, and barring a total collapse, should find itself playing some NCAA games at home in Ulmer Stadium.
UK baseball, meanwhile, has run roughshod over every team on its schedule not named Louisville -- the Cards are the only squad that has beaten the Cats more than once. Kentucky has spent most of the season atop at least one of the three major polls, and has won every series is Southeastern Conference play this year.
The baseball Cards swept UK this season for the first time since 1999, and their 12-0 win at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Apr. 10 marked their first shutout of the Cats in Lexington in 78 years. Heading into this weekend's home series against Connecticut, U of L stands 29-12 overall and tied with the Huskies for the Big East lead at 10-5.
And oh, by the way -- U of L men's tennis has repeated as Big East champions.
* * * * * * * * *
I'd like to add big props to UK basketball player Terrence Jones, who ran over a U of L cheerleader in pursuit of a loose ball during the Cats' 69-61 win over the Cards in a national semifinal. When informed the young lady had received stitches due to the collision, Jones said he would bring her flowers by way of apology. Last week, he did.
Classy.
posted by Alan at 10:37 PM
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