Throwback Thursday: 2015 Super Regional and What Could Have Been

Louisville baseball’s rise to prominence is a well-known story at this juncture. The school has been to three college baseball World Series since 2007. Since Dan McDonnell’s arrival, the Cards have gone from irrelevant to national power- an incredible feat considering recruiting disadvantages. But, from time to time, those around the program might take a look back and think about what could have been for some UofL squads of years past.

This couldn’t be more true than in the case of the 2015 Super Regional game three against Cal State Fullerton. Louisville was in the midst of their best season ever. The Cardinals went 47-18 on the season, and set an ACC record with 25 conference wins. They went into the postseason as the number 3 overall seed, and were poised for another College World Series appearance.

The Cards took a 3-1 lead, but that slipped out of their hands. The game eventually went to extra innings, and then the play happened that changed everything. Cal State Fullerton’s David Olmedo-Berrera hit a bending line drive to left field that carried the fence. According to all known video evidence, including thousands in attendance, and general common sense, the ball went foul. However, against all odds, the umpires reviewed the play and ultimately ruled the ball fair.

This play sent Fullerton to the College World Series, and sent Louisville home packing. An absolutely shocking turn of events for the Cards. Whatever the case was- fair or foul- the run put CS Fullerton up 4-3, and ultimately wound up being the game-winning run.

We aren’t here to discuss fair or foul (it was foul), but it is worth noting where Louisville baseball could sit now if not for that one run.

Louisville has had arguably 4 or 5 great teams, capable of winning the whole thing. But, as Cal State Fullerton proved in 2015, (and the ultimate 2015 champ, Virginia, proved as well) college baseball is all about getting hot at the right time.

Getting hot at the right time is exactly what Louisville is doing this season. The Cards finished red hot, going 19-5 in their last 24 games. This is in stark comparison to years past. In previous years, the Cards have tended to be well-prepared going into the season, but often fizzle towards the end of the year. This year, Louisville is coming on strong, and looks primed to make another deep post season run.

Is it possible for Louisville to go to back-to-back College World Series? Absolutely.

One of the concerns for the squad this year has been getting a consistent rotation. The postseason can help the Cards do just that. Once in the NCAA tournament, the teams rotation tends to shorten. Where this was a weakness in 2017, because UofL had an overabundance of good starting pitching, this year the Cards can narrow their focus.

Additionally, the Cards’s bats are getting hot at the right time. They have driven at least 5 runs across in each of the last ten games, and in 16 out of the last 18. They drove in 24 in a walloping of Cincinnati. Their only two losses over that stretches are the two games where they failed to score 5 runs,

Regardless of fair or foul, 2015 ended in a fizzle for the Cards after an extremely promising season. That being said, there is no reason that the Cardinal nine can’t have a reversal of fortunes in 2018. With a more established pitching rotation, and increasing consistency at the plate, Louisville could find itself in Omaha once again.