7th Inning Stretch: The Final Road Trip (Week 13)

For the first time since the first week of March, the Louisville baseball program was able to post a perfect 4-0 week.

The Cardinals (29-18, 13-11 ACC) got the week started with a midweek win over Northern Kentucky, then kicked off a seven-game road trip with a three-game sweep over Boston College.

In a vacuum, taking down these two opponents might not be a big deal. But in the grand scheme of the postseason, it was a massive development. With Louisville entering the week sitting on the outside of the NCAA Tournament bubble, they absolutely needed to start stacking ACC wins, and wins overall to boost their RPI.

Pulling off a clean sweep over the Norse and Eagles was a much, much needed first step in terms of inserting themselves back into NCAA Tournament discussion. Additionally, Louisville was able to officially clinch a spot in the ACC Tournament, so there's no fear that the Cardinals could miss out on postseason baseball in its entirety.

Perhaps most importantly is that Louisville's season-long pitching issues could finally be turning a corner. Colton Hartman stepped up to be a potential go-to third starter in the rotation with the season winding down, and the bullpen - for the most part - held up their end of the deal.

Of course, there's still work to be done. However, Louisville has a fantastic late-season opportunity in front of the them. They'll play their final true road games of the regular season this week, facing Vanderbilt in the annual Battle for the Barrel and then heading to North Carolina.

Go at least .500 in these four games this week, and Louisville's chances at earning an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament will take another big step forward.

Away (Hawkins Field - Nashville, Tenn.)

Away (Boshamer Stadium - Chapel Hill, N.C.)

Vanderbilt Commodores

Head Coach (school record): Tim Corbin (915-436-1)
2024 Record (conference record): 32-16 (11-13)
All-Time Series Record: Vanderbilt Leads 28-12

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North Carolina Tar Heels

Head Coach (school record): Scott Forbes (141-84)
2024 Record (conference record): 35-11 (17-7)
All-Time Series Record: North Carolina Leads 9-7

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