Another In-State Foe Awaits in the Midweek
After two straight weeks of commending the effort to lower the team ERA, we get to do it a third time. Louisville pitching lowered the team ERA from 6.51 to 6.49 in their trip to Chapel Hill. Wyatt Danilowicz pitched seven innings of no-run, two-hit ball and struck out 11 on Saturday, bouncing back from a rough Friday outing by the staff.
On Sunday, Colton Hartman earned his first weekend start, limiting the Heels to a single earned run in his 3.1 innings, and the bullpen arms had UNC sitting at two runs in the eighth with a Louisville lead and two outs.
Those first two outs came on two pitches.
Louisville escaped Chapel Hill winning its first ranked road series since it swept Duke in the 2019 College World Series year, and got that monkey off its back…right? Right?
What Went Wrong in Chapel Hill?
Read Also: Louisville Baseball Opponent Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels
For lack of a better word, what happened next, after the two-pitch / two-out eighth, was…well…a bedshitting.
Walk, Single, HBP, Walk, Single, Bases-Clearing Double.
The score went from 4-2 Louisville, with every ounce of momentum inside the visiting dugout, to the Heels leading 7-4, leaving the Cards with three outs to tie it instead of UNC having to fight for their lives at home in the ninth.
It’s worth pointing out that on the two-out, bases-loaded walk that started the Carolina scoring, Jake Schaffner had a 2-2 count and fouled a pitch into Jimmy Nugent‘s glove that Nugent dropped. If that foul tip stays in the glove, this is all more than likely sunshine and rainbows and celebrations. It’s the tiny things in Baseball that compound, both good and bad.
I recapped it, and I don’t think this video does justice to how angry I was at this while doing my favorite thing – grilling chicken wings in the sunshine and listening to baseball. I wear a tie-dye shirt when I grill, it’s a vibe. I should have been happy.
I still managed a ‘driver’s seat’ pun.
The ERA being lowered is largely because of Danilowicz, who should get HEAPS of praise for his Saturday outing with the Cards’ backs to the wall. Tague Davis also tried putting the offense on his back and sparking a rally in the ninth on Sunday to get the score to 7-6 with another one of his signature missiles. Tague now has 13 home runs and 50 (fifty!) RBIs on the season. He had also exchanged words with UNC’s Caden Glauber in the earlier innings because Glauber was quick-pitching him, and Tague had more to say as he rounded the bases.
Friday and Sunday Were ones to Forget
The offense languished on Friday, scoring only one run in an 11-1 run rule. They also lost Zion Rose again after he injured his leg going for a foul ball in the middle innings. Saturday, because of Danilowicz and Aaron England, two runs was enough. Sunday, four runs would have been enough if the bullpen could, say it with me now, get off the field with two outs.
The batting order, albeit against very capable UNC pitching, isn’t off the hook – but they did give enough of an effort to win the series.
At some point, there are going to have to be difficult conversations in the locker room about toughness, identity, preparedness, and ability to not let the last pitch affect the next. A very bold, very visible line can be drawn to the three missed tournaments in the last five years that originates in the bullpen.
It’s behind us – but Western Kentucky is not.
The Hilltoppers Are Always Up for the Cards
Western Kentucky hasn’t had the best opening to 2026, sitting at 13-11. However, they’ve split four-game road series with both Indiana and BYU. They swept Florida international in their first Conference USA series, but then went to Jacksonville State and got swept. They also got beat 13-9 at #22 Kentucky.
It’s been a very tumultuous season thus far for Marc Rardin’s Toppers.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Conference: Conference USA
Head Coach: Marc Rardin
Record (13-11) (3-3 CUSA) (Streak: L3)
Series History: UofL 36-17 (13-11 at WKU) / Streak: W2 (Last: W 5-2, 2025)
Last Series: Lost 0-3 at Jacksonville State
2025 Result: 46-14 overall / 18-9 CUSA
2025 Postseason: 0-2 (Oxford Regional – Lost to Georgia Tech and Ole Miss)
Last NCAA Tournament (2025 Oxford Regional #3 Seed)
College World Series Appearances: (0)
In these midweek, in-state contests, though…anything can happen (and usually does).
I want to point out that WKU also has a ballpark layout that is equal parts dangerous and awesome. Nick Denes Field sits between University Blvd. and the Avenue of Champions on campus in Bowling Green. When I say ‘between,’ I mean it’s in there like swimwear. The roads are in very close proximity to the boundaries, and Bowling Green passersby could get a surprise souvenir in the sunroof of their Camry if they are in the right place at the wrong time, or right time, or right pl…you get the idea.
To give you an idea of the configuration, I pulled this image from Google and have thus labeled the scientifically-placed ‘Tague Davis Danger Zones’ on the aerial map, with just how dangerous on a scale of 1-5 where 5 is ‘you are not safe from anything off of Davis’ bat.’
Behold:
Who to Watch for on the ‘Tops
Kyle Hayes is the name on the club. the Preseason All-Conference USA Designated Hitter/First Baseman was a Second-Team selection following the 2025 season, and this year he’s living up to the billing. He’s batting .286 with a .957 OPS, is tied for the team lead in home runs with five, and is second on the team with 22 RBIs.
Leading the Hilltoppers offense in average are First Baseman Lane Arroyos (.356) and Catcher Camden Ross (.316). Arroyos also leads the team in doubles with 10 and is tied with Hayes for the home run lead with five. Arroyos is also an absolute unit; just a big dude.
Shortstop Reid Howard (.277) and Second Baseman Austin Haller (.276) are the base stealers, with a combined 19, while no one else on the WKU squad has more than five. For fun, please enjoy this WKU Athletics photo of Austin Haller and his ‘stache in a big hat:
From the mound, it’s been a little bit of Johnny Wholestaff (credit to the GOAT, Sean Moth) for the Hilltoppers. Righty Mick Uebelhor (1-0, 1.53 ERA / 0.790 WHIP) is on the game day graphic from WKU, so he may get the start tonight.
Other midweek starters have been the trio of right-handers: Ka’olu Holt (1-1, 7.36 ERA / 2.45 WHIP), Gage Olson (0-0, 6.75 ERA / 1.67 WHIP), and Trey Reinburg (0-1, 8.03 ERA / 2.27 WHIP).
Since the ‘Tops have played a couple four-game series as well, they’ve started numerous pitchers throughout the season, so it would be no surprise to see a revolving door this evening.
A Look at the Statistical Comparison
Louisville has a better offense in every stat. That’s true for this team against most opposition. Louisville’s pitfall with the offense is when it lapses in doing the little things right (like against Morehead and Friday against North Carolina).
Photo by Jared Anderson
Pitching stats are interesting, because where the Cards have made their mistakes hasn’t been the ability to strike batters out or limit base hits. Louisville pitching simply does not do a good job of NOT giving up the timely hit. Walks are a part of the game, but Louisville gives them up freely and often, usually at the worst times (leadoff, two-out, and with the bases loaded). Louisville surrenders hits at the worst possible times as well, which is why the earned run totals are so high.
When inopportune walks lead to inopportune base hits in the worst scenarios for Louisville pitching, things like Sunday in Carolina happen. Tonight presents a good chance to once again set the tone and get guys seeing what it looks and feels like to do the little things right.
Final Thoughts on Cards vs Hilltoppers
I want what I always want. Consistency. I would like to see the offense shine again, with guys doing their jobs and getting the hits they need to move runners. I want to see guys on base early in innings being able to run. A big bonus would be Kade Elam having a great night.
Photo by Jared Anderson
Whomever gets the ball on the mound, I want confidence. Seeing someone get a pitch call and not aim it, or try to place it in a certain spot. Work counts from ahead. If the offense generates a lead, play with it from the position of power.
Louisville Baseball has a LOT to play for this season. It’s just getting tiresome writing about the same shortcomings week in and week out, especially when the talent on this roster is capable and deserving of so much more.
First pitch from Bowling Green is tonight at 7:00pm. The game can be seen on ESPN Plus.
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