Editor’s Note: The UofL-Kentucky game was postponed following the shooting tragedy at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.
After a three game sweep of seventh ranked Boston College, the University of Louisville baseball team is back to being more like itself. Just in time with Kentucky coming up this week.
The 17th-ranked Cardinals (24-7, 18-3) got wins of 6-4, 9-8 and 6-4 over the ninth ranked Golden Eagles. The most memorable a nine-run rally in that second game of the series. “That was a really, really good club,” said Coach Dan McDonnell. “They earned their ranking. You saw how close the games were. That happens in the Atlantic Coast Conference.”
UK arrives at Jim Patterson Stadium for a Tuesday, 7 p.m. game. The Wildcats (27-5, 9-1) had won 23 of 24 before dropping both ends of a doubleheader Sunday at Athens.
“They are having a great year. I’m looking forward to the competition Tuesday night,” said McDonnell.
This game is usually well attended and with a good weather forecast it should be close to capacity.
“It gives the team confidence when your starters can go deep,” said McDonnell. “I was vocal with the media (before the season). When you have (good) starting pitching. It’s nice. It’s nice to have a guy like Carson Liggett. You feel like you’ve got a leg up with a third starter like him.”
McDonnell traditionally pitches a reliever or a freshman in the mid-week games. It’s an opportunity to step forward. “Learn and grow,” said McDonnell. “If we didn’t trust you, we wouldn’t put you out there.
“I don’t ever want to act like guys have lost confidence. Don’t get too high or too low,” said McDonnell.