By Trevor Joelson

The University of Louisville softball team is coming off their best season in school history and the 2007 Big East coaches’ poll suggests the team will repeat as the conference leader.

After posting a 45-11 record, winning the Big East regular season championship and receiving its third consecutive at-large bid to the NCAA tournament last season, the Cards were picked in the pre-season polls to win the conference.

“This team wants to continue to get better and to reach the Women’s College World Series, which is their goal,” said U of L head softball coach Sandy Pearsall. “They know they have to work hard to achieve it.”

In her eighth season at U of L, Pearsall has had unprecedented success as head coach with an all-time record of 256-158.

Last year she led the team to their first ever appearance in the regional finals, and her efforts paid off.

Pearsall, along with her coaching staff, associate head coach Carol Bruggeman and assistant coach Karen Marr, were awarded the 2006 Big East Coaching Staff of the Year.

Louisville returns six starters and 10 letter winners from last year’s team. The team is led by their four seniors; Catherine Bishop, Courtney Moore, Candi Hicks and Audrey Rendon. Rendon spoke about the importance of senior leadership on this year’s team.

When asked if she saw herself as a leader she said, “I do see myself as a leader, I am very vocal especially on the field and I try to lead through my actions as well.”

Bishop, Moore and Rendon were all recognized as All Big East performers last season. They will look to fill the void that the 2006 senior class left behind.

Three of last year’s seniors were recognized as All Big East players, and catcher Lacy Wood became the school’s first ever All-American.

They received seven out 12 first place votes. University of South Florida received four first place votes and Notre Dame received one.

The Cards will begin their season Feb. 9 against Oklahoma University in the Florida International Tournament.

Pitchers

Louisville returns the 2006 Big East Pitcher of the Year, Catherine Bishop. A righty from Adelaide, Australia, Bishop posted a program-and Big East-best 30-7 record.

She led the league and was fourth in the nation with a 0.78 ERA, striking out 231 batters in 23 complete games.

She struck out 10 Syracuse batters and pitched her second career hitter on April 22. Last year, she also tallied 11 shutouts on the season.

Also returning to the pitching staff is sophomore Kassie Stanfill, a Goodlettsville, Tenn., who also plays in the outfield. She appeared in eight games last season and posted a 3-1 record with a 2.39 ERA. She pitched a complete game shutout against Middle Tennessee.

She earned all state honors all four years of high school and will look to play a more significant role on the team this year.

Freshmen Kristen Wadwell also looks to see some time on the mound. Wadwell, like Bishop, comes to U of L from Australia. She was names the U19 Australian pitcher of the year in 2005.

Infield/Catcher

Louisville’s infield returns three starters including All Big East performers Rendon and Moore. Rendon, a native of Pueblo, Colorado, plays third base and is second on the career runs list with 119.

A track star in high school, she led the team with 14 stolen bases last season.

Moore is U of L’s career home run leader with 29 dingers and second on the career RBI list with 128. Moore has started all 179 games in her career.

“I take care of myself and I love to play, so unless it is a serious injury I don’t feel like I’m going to take myself out of the game,” said Moore.

Louisville native Sarah Totten started 50 games at first base last season. She went the first 27 games of the season without a strikeout.

The Cards will look to fill a void at second base left by graduate Michelle Vasquez. The position will either be filled by Hicks who also plays the outfield or by utility infielder, freshmen, Rebecca Saksefski.

The biggest shoes to fill were left by Wood, the all-American catcher. Freshmen Melissa Roth will likely fill the position, and according to Pearsall, she was one of the best hitters in the fall.

Outfield

The Cardinal outfield runs deep. Sophomore Kristi Cunningham batted .308 with six homers. Cunningham, a center fielder, was the U of L female freshmen of the year.

Brooke McCrain, a native of Fresno, California, and club teammate of Moore, will likely be playing in right field. McCrain red shirted in 2005 but came back strong, batting .264 and appearing in 31 games.

Junior Skye Miller, sophomore Brittney Counts, as well as Hicks and Stanfill, will all receive significant playing time.