By Will Scott
The University of Louisville baseball team has had a few early tests this year.
But the biggest test comes tomorrow, when the University of Kentucky travels to Louisville for an in-state rivalry showdown.
UK will come in as one of the top-15 teams in the nation, and the Cardinals, who lost a 3-1 nail biter to UK last year, are playing their best ball of the season, arguably.
However, a recent setback occurred as the Cards fell to the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday, 6-2. The loss to Pit showed that the Cards were vulnerable offesnively and will need their leaders to step up tomorrow against UK.
“We still need to do better with two outs and runners in scoring position,” said senior outfielder Pete Rodriguez. “To get more hits in that situation is something that we still need to improve.”
Rodriguez is currently batting a hair under .300 with no errors, and he insisted that the team is not focused on their upcoming battle with UK.
“We are really playing one game at a time here. Sure Kentucky is a big game to many people because of the rivalry, but we don’t live and die by just one game,” Rodriguez said.
UK, with a record of 24-4-1, have also shown maturity as they have gone 6-2-1 away from home. UK has eight players batting .300 or better, and a very potent pitching staff.
U of L comes in with a record of 21-10, 15-2 at home. Offensive firepower such as junior, first baseman Jorge Castillo, who was named Big East Hitter of the Week after going six for 12 with two doubles, one home run and 10 RBIs in the weekend series against WVU.
While some Louisville players may not admit it to the public, there is a lot on the line for tomorrow’s game – not just in-state bragging rights.
