By Brendan Holba
(The views of Brendan Holba do not necessarily reflect those of Cardinal Sports Zone)
The 2024 season for the University of Louisville Softball team was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster for the team and us as fans. What began as a promising campaign, building on the momentum from last year’s return to the NCAA tournament, eventually stumbled as too many close games slipped through the team’s grasp. Despite the disappointment of missing out on the ACC and NCAA tournaments, the season was not without its highlights and moments of brilliance.
Softball, with its unpredictable nature, can sometimes be a heartbreaker. A single big hit with runners on base or a timely strikeout in a crucial moment could have dramatically altered the course of the season. However, the harsh reality remains: this team endured nine one-run losses. A few of those games swinging in the opposite direction, particularly during the critical conference stretch, would have significantly changed their postseason prospects.
Nevertheless, there is ample reason for optimism as we look ahead to 2025. Louisville Softball is poised for a strong comeback. If Coach Aprile can retain this core group of talented players and integrate promising recruits and transfers, the team will undoubtedly be a formidable force next season.
CSZ’s Top Performers
Riley Frizzel, the Missouri transfer and NFCA All-Region honoree, truly shined this season. Her powerful swings and consistent batting average made her a nightmare for opposing pitchers. She was the go-to player for Coach Holly Aprile when the team needed a big hit. She finished the year with an impressive line of .365, 12 home runs, and 45 RBIs.
Daisy Hess held down the defense up the middle, especially after Easton Lotus was sidelined for the season just two games in. As the starting shortstop, she saved countless runs and turned double plays that shifted the momentum in critical games. As a key player at the top of the lineup, Hess put together a .320 average with seven home runs and 32 RBIs.
Alyssa Zabala entered the season as the ace of the Cardinals’ pitching staff, and she delivered. The Miami native’s dominant presence in the circle was highlighted by her 1.85 ERA and an 18-4 record. Alyssa’s ability to mix speeds and pinpoint control baffled hitters all season. She also recorded three shutouts and 150 strikeouts, making her a crucial factor in the team’s successes.
Best Games of the Season
Arizona (March 6): The Cardinals built an early 4-0 lead en route to a 5-3 victory over No. 21/24 Arizona at Ulmer Stadium. Alyssa Zabala earned her 10th win of the season, allowing six hits and striking out five. Vanessa Miller hit her fifth home run of the season, Bailee Richardson added another homer, and Riley Frizell doubled to extend her on-base streak to 19 games. The Cardinals scored three runs in the second inning due to an RBI single by Paige Geraghty and Arizona’s defensive errors. Miller’s solo homer in the third and Richardson’s solo shot in the fifth extended their lead. Despite Arizona’s two-run homer in the sixth, Zabala and Louisville’s defense held off a late Arizona rally in the seventh, ensuring the win.
Duke (March 23): Against the now Women’s College World Series-bound Blue Devils, Katie Thatcher’s solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the University of Louisville softball team to a 2-1 at Ulmer Stadium. After Duke scored a run in the fourth inning and Louisville’s Gabby Holloway tied it with a home run, the teams remained locked until the eighth. In relief, Alyssa Zabala shut down Duke’s threat at the top of the eighth, and Thatcher’s pinch-hit homer in the bottom half secured Louisville’s first ACC win. Zabala earned her 13th win, while Lillie Walker took the loss for Duke. Daisy Hess led Louisville with two hits, and D’Auna Jennings had two hits for Duke.
Florida State (April 15): Louisville defeated No. 18 Florida State, 5-4, in a thrilling game at Ulmer Stadium. With two outs and the score tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Bailee Richardson hit an RBI single to score Daisy Hess, securing the Cardinals’ victory. Alyssa Zabala earned her league-best 16th win, allowing four runs (two earned) and five hits while striking out five in her sixth complete game. Highlights included Gabby Holloway’s two-run homer, Riley Frizell’s RBI triple, and Vanessa Miller’s RBI single. Florida State initially led 2-0, but Louisville’s offense surged in the fourth and fifth innings. Despite Florida State tying the game in the sixth, Louisville’s defense held strong, and Richardson’s walk-off hit ended the Seminoles’ eight-game win streak.
