The Providence College softball team will open a three-game series against Louisville on Thursday, April 1 with a doubleheader beginning at noon at Raymond Field. The two teams will complete the three-game set on Saturday, April 3 at noon. Thursday’s doubleheader will mark the home opener for the Friars.

Providence (8-13, 2-0 BIG EAST) was scheduled to play a doubleheader against Fairfield on Tuesday, March 30, but the games were cancelled because of inclement weather. The Friars are coming off a pair of victories at Pittsburgh in the BIG EAST opener on Saturday, March 27. Sophomore pitcher Alicia Grosso (Baldwin, N.Y.) led Providence to a 7-2 victory in the first game as she pitched all seven innings, allowed two earned runs on six hits and struck out four batters. Sophomore Michelle Huber (Dana Point, Calif.) finished with three hits, three runs and one RBI, while senior Christy Becker (Atlanta, Ga.) added two hits, two runs and three RBIs. Junior Justine Stratton (Fresno, Calif.) had two hits and one run for the Friars, who finished with an 11-6 advantage in hits.

The Friars used strong pitching again in the second game to post a 2-1 victory. Senior Danielle Bertolette (Temecula, Calif.) threw all seven innings and allowed one run (unearned) on four hits and struck out four batters. The Friars took the lead for good in the fourth inning when senior Katelyn Revens (Warwick, R.I.) and Huber each scored one unearned run.

Louisville (21-12, 1-2 BIG EAST) is coming off a 5-4 victory over DePaul on Sunday, March 28 in Louisville, Ky. Jordan Trimble’s double in the bottom of the seventh inning scored two runs and propelled the Cardinals as they avoided a three-game weekend sweep against the Blue Demons. Louisville held the advantage in hits (11-5) as Melissa Roth and Trimble finished with three each. Roth leads the team in most offensive categories, including batting average (.455), runs (35), doubles (13) and home runs (10). In the pitcher’s circle, Kristen Wadwell has an 11-7 record, a 3.30 earned run average and 87 strikeouts to lead her team.

Last season, Louisville won both meetings (8-0, 10-3) against Providence in Louisville. The Friars are seeking their first ever win against the Cardinals (0-6).