By Chris O’Grady

With two returning All-Americans and a class of promising freshmen, the 21st-ranked University of Louisville softball team has big plans. The preseason polls predict that the Cardinals will win the Big East. However, the biggest of their plans may be a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals.
“We want to reach a Super Regional,” said head coach Sandy Pearsall. “That would make our season a success. But it will take a consistent level of play to get there.”
In order for the team to achieve on a higher level this season, the coaches scheduled a lofty non-conference slate. They have a two-game set at No. 10 the University of Oklahoma and a March 18 date with No. 4 the University of Arizona at the Judi Garman Classic in California. These match-ups will prove critical for the team, according to Pearsall.
“I am really excited to see how the team reacts to the challenging schedule,” said Pearsall. “If we make it through, we can be a Top 10 program. It just depends on how we respond through the successes and the losses.”
Paramount to the Cards’ chances of making it deep into the postseason and winning the Big East are the two All-Americans, senior pitcher Kristen Wadwell and senior catcher Melissa Roth. And for the pair, expectations are even higher.
“I want to be as good as I was last year, and hopefully better,” said Wadwell. “I want to do whatever I can to help get this team to a Super Regional, maybe one step further.”
In addition to last season’s success, both were chosen among the nation’s Top 50 players for the Amateur Softball Association of America. And Roth was named an alternate for the 2010 Team USA.
Roth has even higher ambitions for herself and her team this season.
“I want to have better numbers this year and make first team All-American,” said Roth. “I won’t settle. We want to go to the College World Series. We’re here to leave a legacy as a Top 10 program.”
Pearsall sees the success of these two as nearly inevitable, due to the hard work they have put in.
“I just want to see them relax and play the game them they love,” said Pearsall. “They’re awesome and have worked hard for this. They’ll do fine.”
The 2009-2010 U of L softball team is coming off of its sixth consecutive NCAA Regionals appearance, and a record-setting season in 2009. They finished at 48-11, setting a new mark for wins and tying the record for fewest losses. The Cards were a constant in the Top 25 rankings, reaching as high as 14th and finishing the season ranked 24th.
Both stars agree that this year’s team has a chance to be special, and a chance to cap their legacy at U of L.
“This year the team has a great combination of experience and a good group of freshmen too,” said Roth. “We have determination—determination to be out there and winning.”
For Wadwell, the journey from Sydney, Australia to Louisville could end in multiple All-American titles. She said the experience has allowed her to grow far more than she would have if she had stayed in Australia.
“It has been fantastic to get out here and grow with a group of sisters,” said Wadwell. “I’ve gotten a thousand times more out of it here.”
Pearsall expects several players to complement the stable contributions from Roth and Wadwell.
“We’re a tough and gritty team,” said Wadwell. “We will be a team that fights.”