3rd & Central

Louisville Baseball is HEADED BACK to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2022! In this packed episode, Matt Sefcovic and Terry Pennington break down Eberle’s dominant performance against Wright State, Coach Mac's emotional postgame moment, Miami scouting report and a Super Regional preview. Tap in! Time to run it back to Omaha!0:58 Recap of the Season and Super Regionals1:30 Nashville Experience and Team Spirit3:48 Upcoming Regional Matchups4:42 Exciting Pairings and Predictions13:27 Conference Records and Analysis30:38 Aggressive Baseball Tactics31:38 Eberle's Dominant Performance35:07 Munroe's Resilience36:29 Pitching Staff's Weekend Highlights41:25 Dan McDonnell's Leadership59:25 Super Regional Logistics01:02:09 Miami Hurricanes Overview01:07:34 Miami's Key Wins and Pitching Performance01:11:20 Louisville's Strategy and Key Players01:17:11 Miami's Offensive Strengths and Weaknesses01:28:00 Louisville's Confidence and Preparation01:29:33 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 #CollegeBaseball #ACCBaseball –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Louisville Baseball is back in the NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 2 seed in the Nashville Regional hosted by No. 1 overall seed Vanderbilt. The Cardinals kick off their postseason against East Tennessee State (41-15) this Friday at 2:00 PM!In this episode, we break down:- Louisville's path through the Nashville Regional- Key players to watch, including standout performances from the regular season- Potential rematch scenarios with Vanderbilt- Insights into ETSU's strengths and weaknesses#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

The Cards were so close to a series win and a sweep, but instead, Louisville Baseball dropped a frustrating pair in Atlanta and followed it with a shocking loss to Bellarmine.Matt and Terry break down the weekend, the wake-up call against Bellarmine, and why the pitching staff’s emergence might be the biggest story no one’s talking about. Plus: Tague Davis’ glove, Ethan Eberle’s dominance, and a deep dive into the final home series against Wake Forest, one that could define the postseason path.3:02 – Dalton Rushing Called Up to the Dodgers!4:42 – Resume Rundown: Quad 1 Wins, RPI, and Metrics8:12 – This Team's Ceiling Is Still Omaha11:42 – Georgia Tech Game 1 Recap: 13-Run Inning, Eberle Dominates16:22 – Back-to-Back-to-Back Homers + Offensive Explosion20:12 – Tague Davis: Defense at First Base is ELITE26:42 – Sunday Doubleheader: Forbes Battles, But Bats Go Silent30:57 – Tucker’s Start + Insane Mental Error on Robbed Pop-Up Run38:32 – Eddie King Robbed on SportsCenter Top 10 Play44:52 – Positives from the Series: Pitching Depth Emerging48:42 – Bellarmine Breakdown: First Loss Since 199159:12 – Midweek Losses Happen — But Focus Was OFF1:03:12 – Terry’s Rant: Fans Going After College Kids? Get a Life.1:12:12 – Louisville’s Coaching + Recruiting Culture Is Elite1:20:42 – Wake Forest Preview: Stat Twins + Big Arms Incoming1:27:12 – Keys To The Series: Patience, Pitch Count, Bullpen Chases1:41:12 – ACC Tournament Lookahead: Could Play Cal at 9 AM?!1:43:12 – Where To Follow: InsideVilleBSB + 3rdCentralPod#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

The pressure is on Louisville Baseball.Matt and Terry break down the Cards’ frustrating road series loss in South Bend, what it means for their ACC Tournament seeding, and why winning in Atlanta this weekend is absolutely critical. Can Louisville fix the little things in time to become a hosting team again?They talk bullpen standouts, Peter Michael’s quick hook, Ethan Eberle’s growth, and why Georgia Tech’s loaded offense will test everything. Plus Danny Hall’sl retirement, a key return from injury, and why this weekend could define the rest of the season.0:14 – Welcome Back! Cinco de Mayo & Cold South Bend Vibes1:55 – Weekend Resume Check-In: Polls, RPI Drop, and ACC Seeding4:26 – Early Tournament Outlook7:46 – RPI, Resume, and Hosting Possibility Breakdown10:40 – The Numbers: What Louisville Must Do To Host13:15 – Why The Ceiling Is Still Crazy High for This Team16:41 – Game 1 Recap: Zion Starts Hot, Eberle Shoves, Bullpen Locks In22:26 – Game 2: Patrick Back On The Mound, But Offense Goes Cold24:31 – Rory Fox Dominates + Notre Dame’s Catcher Impresses30:51 – Game 3: Peter Michael Struggles Early, Bullpen Solid Again39:11 – Defensive & Mental Mistakes That Changed The Series43:16 – Louisville’s Razor Thin Margin of Error in ACC Play50:44 – Can Louisville Prove Itself On The Road at Georgia Tech?52:48 – Georgia Tech Preview55:03 – Spoiling Danny Hall’s Farewell Series?56:41 – Expect Fireworks: This Series Could Get Wild59:11 – Omaha-Level Offenses… But Who Can Pitch & Defend?1:01:14 – Keys To Winning the Series: Walks, Wild Pitches, & Basics1:07:15 – Wrapping Up + Final Thoughts On The Stretch Run#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502–Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisvillehttps://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Louisville baseball just stunned the #4 team in the country. Matt and Terry break down the Cards’ electric series win over Florida State, from Friday’s top-5 MLB Draft arm showdown to Sunday’s walk-off grand slam.They talk Lucas Moore’s breakout, pitching depth stepping up in a huge way, and why this team is built for a deep run in June. Plus: thoughts on EKU, RPI shakeups, and a spicy Notre Dame preview.#LouisvilleBaseball #LucasMoore #GoCards –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Louisville’s biggest test of the season is here.Coming off a gutsy series at Clemson and a rough night in Lexington, the Cards now face #4 Florida State in what could be a make-or-break weekend. From rising freshmen to late-game heroics, this Louisville team is built for this series. Tune in for all the stats, insights and takes you can’t miss! 0:14 – “Welcome, Welcome, Welcome”: Derby Week & Gauntlet Stretch Begins2:02 – Where Louisville Stands Now: Rankings, RPI, and Conference Record3:38 – Clemson Game 1 Recap: Missed Chances, Tough Call on the Mound6:25 – The Pitching Debate8:42 – Encouragement Despite Loss: Casen Murphy’s Big Start10:18 – Friday Game: Louisville’s Offense Goes Cold14:16 – Saturday Thriller: Louisville Walks It Off in 12 Innings16:55 – Tague Davis Bomb, Eddie King Jr. Heater Continues19:45 – Justin West’s 3 Straight Strikeouts With Bases Loaded26:15 – Why This Team's Future Looks Bright28:30 – Injury Updates30:45 – Kentucky Game Recap: Rough Night in Lexington33:15 – Coach Mac’s Postgame Apology to Fans35:50 – Fatigue and Pitching Issues37:40 – Should Louisville & UK Play a 3-Game Series?40:30 – Derby Week Ideas: Bellarmine Game at Slugger Field?43:00 – Florida State Preview: Best Team in the ACC?52:30 – Home Field Advantage: Louisville Is 22–3 at Home56:00 – Final Rally: This Series Means Everything. Be There.#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisvi...   / stateoflouisville     / thestateoflouisville   https://x.com/thestate...–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Your 3rd and Central crew breaks down Louisville’s wild series at NC State, including Friday’s gut-wrenching loss, Saturday’s 25-run explosion, and Sunday’s loss. Matt and Terry break down the bullpen struggles, the team’s offensive firepower, what it’ll take to bounce back at #3 Clemson, and what that epic walk-off vs. Kentucky says about this team’s DNA.Tune in for all the stats, takes, and insights you need! 1:36 – Intro, Louisville’s Current ACC Standings & Rankings3:22 – Rivalry Win: Walk-Off Thriller vs. Kentucky8:57 – Why Louisville’s Lineup Is Terrifying13:25 – NC State Game 1: Walks, Wildness & What Went Wrong18:44 – Friday Frustration: 16 Walks & a Missed Opportunity22:33 – Saturday: Louisville Drops 25 on NC State26:56 – Tague Davis Grand Slam Party31:15 – Sunday Collapse: Struggles Resurface on the Mound36:03 – Why Road Sundays Are So Tough in the ACC40:10 – Looking Ahead: Massive Road Test at Clemson46:07 – What Makes Clemson Dangerous54:24 – Coaching Message: Who Are We as a Team?1:01:24 – Final Thoughts + Preview of What’s Next#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Your 3rd & Central crew sits down with Louisville baseball’s clutch hitter, Jake Munroe, to talk about his rise from an overlooked high school player to a standout in Juco, and now, a key piece of the Cardinals’ success.Jake opens up about the grind of the recruiting process, the competitive world of Juco baseball, and why he chose Louisville.Tune in for a conversation you don’t want to miss! 0:15 – Intro and Welcoming Jake Munroe1:20 – High School and Juco Journey4:25 – Playing for the Juco National Team 6:12 – What Drew Jake to Louisville8:12 – “Damn you guys should have called me…”10:18 – Jake’s Thoughts on NIL 16:40 – Growth on the Field 21:18 – Team Chemistry 24:27 – Jake’s Transition to Louisville 27:05 – Breakdown of a Typical Day in the Life#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Your 3rd and Central crew breaks down The Cards’ series win over California, analyzing the team's performance and its implications for the ACC standings. Matt and Terry discuss the latest rankings, the tough road series against Virginia Tech, and provide an early look at the ACC tournament. Tune in for all the stats, takes, and insights you need! #LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)Push Push (F1 Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Matt and Terry discuss Louisville's impressive rise in the rankings after a big series win over North Carolina. They dive into the team's strong 17-3 start, key wins, and the possibility of a deep postseason run. Tune in for all the stats, takes, and insights you need! 0:13 Intro1:13 - Louisville's Strong Start & Rankings4:13 - RPI & Other Metrics7:13 - Fan Attendance & Growing Excitement9:13 - Conference Schedule Outlook11:13 - Recap of North Carolina Series 21:13 - Pitching & Bullpen Strength25:13 - Cancer Awareness Game & Midweek Win vs. Northern Kentucky32:13 - Upcoming Series vs. Virginia Tech38:13 - Final Thoughts & High School Recruiting Updates#LouisvilleBaseball #GoCards #502 –Stay Connected:https://stateoflouisville.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/# https://x.com/thestateoflou–The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city. In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)Push Push (F1 Coverage)“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James