The Cards Look the Best They Have This Season

A tale of two teams, but make it the same team. After Morehead State, despite it still being ‘early,’ there were many of the same issues that have plagued this program since COVID, primarily the struggles from the bullpen. I challenged the relief pitching in the Seton Hall Preview.

Read Also: Louisville Baseball Opponent Preview: Seton Hall Pirates

Seton Hall was overmatched coming in. This was always a series at which one could point as ‘sweep or bust,’ despite college baseball being extremely unpredictable. Seeing any sign of improvement from the bullpen would have been promising, but it’s like Roger Williams and his guys took that Morehead game very personally.

The Starting Pitchers each picked up the win. Eberle, Danilowicz, and Bean looked incredible. The expectation was to not ‘play down’ to the Pirates and those three delivered in a big way. The guys they handed the ball to? Well, well, well…just watch the recap:

Louisville dropped their team ERA almost a full run, from 7.03 to 6.07 while raising the batting average from .309 to .322. Still not where the pitching staff needs to be, but that shift in the right direction was cathartic for fans, and most certainly for the Cards to see all phases of the game come together in a very emphatic statement of a series sweep. The timing could not have been better either, as this is the last midweek series (two games) before the ACC slate starts with a hot Notre Dame squad this coming weekend.

Photo by Ryan Hammel

The Herd Thunders into The ‘Ville

Marshall ended their 2025 campaign in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, to a team familiar to the Cards last season – Coastal Carolina. In the offseason, They lost key reliever Nick Weyrich to the White Sox organization in the 19th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, and then were picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt in 2026.

The Herd currently sits at 8-6 on the season, but they’ve won their last five, including a mammoth sweep of St. Bonaventure where they scored 25 runs on Sunday. They’re riding into town with a ton of momentum, and the Cards have to be ready to match that intensity.

Marshall Thundering Herd

Conference: Sun Belt

Head Coach: Greg Beals

Record (8-6) (Streak: W5)

UofL Series History: 6-0 (5-0 at home) / Streak: W6 (Last: W 12-8, 2008)

Last Series: Won 3-0 vs. St. Bonaventure

2025 Result: 33-26 overall / 16-14 Sun Belt Conference

2025 Postseason: None / Last Postseason (1978, 2-2 Atlantic Regional (Coral Gables, FL) )

College World Series Appearances: (0)

Marshall’s last appearance in the NCAA Regionals were when the tournament only had 34 teams across seven regional sites. Things have changed in the modern era, but Marshall is still seeking its first trip to The Dance in nearly 50 years.

Their best win this season is Virginia Tech, where they thundered into Blacksburg and beat the Hokies 13-4 on March 3rd – the same day Morehead State beat Louisville 13-5.

Marshall has three guys batting north of .300, lead by leadoff man and Center Fielder Evan Bottone at .417. Behind him are Second Baseman Tyler Kamerer (.386) who also bats right behind Bottone in the two-hole, and Left Fielder Cooper Hinson (.300) who will bat likely in the cleanup or five-spot.

Bottone leads the team in home runs with four, Kamerer has had one leave the yard, and Hinson has hit a pair. Kamerer, however, is a double machine with nine two-baggers so far this season. Marshall has 10 guys who have hit homers this season, and every player in their regular lineup has an extra-base hit on the season.

Another pair to watch in the batting order are three-hole hitter and Right Fielder Jackson Halter (.222) and Designated Hitter Oliver Service (.409 in seven games). In limited action this season, Service has two doubles, two triples, a home run and 10 RBI. He’s one to keep tabs on when he sees the lineup, and given his performance in the blowout of St. Bonaventure he’s going to be hard to keep out of the order Tuesday and Wednesday.

Right-hander Alex Caudill (0-0, 10.29 ERA/2.43 WHIP) has been the midweek starter for the last two outings against Winthrop and Virginia Tech. With this being a two-game series, expect to see southpaw Landen Doll (1-1, 1.64 ERA/0.64 WHIP) and righty Charlie Krebs (0-0, 2.70 ERA/1.65 WHIP) who have each seen midweek action in relief roles potentially slide over to start on Tuesday or Wednesday. Caudill hasn’t been particularly reliable, so its very possible Doll and Krebs are your two starters.

Comparing the Stats

Louisville, again, has a decided advantage defensively. This is an elite defensive unit, and the offense outpaces Marshall as well – with the numbers coming from better competition. Pitching-wise, the approach is very simple: keep up the momentum from the sweep of Seton Hall.

Final Thoughts

It feels like everyone did something right against Seton Hall. Tague Davis mashed the ball all weekend, Griffin Crain got his first home run, Alex Alicea returned to form, and the offense shook off the Morehead State rust.

On Saturday, Casen Murphy entered the game for Wyatt Danilowicz, and I made note that he came in with a chip on his shoulder.

Casen. Murphy.

Entered the game in the sixth with a chip on his shoulder, punched out the side and then again in the seventh, and it’s the best he’s looked this season. A FILTHY breaking ball ends the inning on a K and Murphy has a swagger about him that’s GREAT to see.

— State of Louisville (@thestateoflou) March 8, 2026

Sometimes you just have to act the part. Casen pitched like he knew he was going to toss two scoreless innings and strike out five batters. After being impossible to hit in the fall, seeing Casen finally be dominant was a breath of fresh air. Whatever it takes for these guys to approach opposing hitters with confidence, Murphy had it this weekend and it paid off. If Peter Michael and TJ Schlageter can find that, and this is the bullpen we get going forward, then those preseason expectations are fully back in play.

Cards and the Herd, Game one Tuesday, March 10th at 3:00pm, and Wednesday, March 11th at 11:00am.

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