The University of Louisville baseball program has announced its highly anticipated schedule for the upcoming 2025 season, setting the stage for an electrifying campaign that promises to captivate fans and challenge the Cardinals' mettle. With a slate featuring 35 home games, 32 contests against 2024 NCAA Tournament participants, and four teams that reached the 2024 College World Series, the Cardinals are poised to showcase their prowess on the national stage.

Prepare for an Unforgettable Season of Cardinals Baseball

Shriners Children's College Showdown Kicks Off the Season

The Cardinals' 19th season under the leadership of Head Coach Dan McDonnell will commence with the previously announced Shriners Children's College Showdown, taking place from February 14-16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Louisville will face off against a formidable trio of opponents – Texas, Oklahoma State, and Arizona – all of which were postseason teams in the previous year.This high-profile tournament will serve as a thrilling prelude to the Cardinals' home opener on February 19, as they welcome Xavier to the friendly confines of Jim Patterson Stadium. The Cardinals will then embark on a remarkable 18-game homestand, providing their loyal fans with ample opportunities to witness the team's prowess on their home turf.

Non-Conference Challenges Await

The Cardinals' non-conference schedule promises to be a true test of their mettle, with weekend series against Western Michigan (February 21-23), St. John's (February 28-March 2), and UIC (March 7-9). These opponents are no strangers to success, as Western Michigan and St. John's claimed their respective conference tournament titles last season, while UIC finished as a top-100 RPI team.In addition to these weekend series, the Cardinals will engage in their annual home-and-home Battle of the Bluegrass games (April 8 and April 22), a road clash with Indiana (April 1), and the Battle for the Barrel on May 6 in Louisville. These regional rivalries and high-profile matchups will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement and intensity to the Cardinals' non-conference slate.

Navigating the Challenging ACC Schedule

The Cardinals' 30-game conference schedule commences on March 14-16 with a home series against 2024 College World Series participant North Carolina. This will be the first of several marquee ACC matchups, as the Cardinals will also host 2024 CWS qualifier Florida State (April 25-27), new ACC member Cal (March 28-30), Boston College (April 4-6), and a season-ending series against Wake Forest (May 15-17).On the road, the Cardinals will face off against Virginia Tech (March 21-23), 2024 CWS participant NC State (April 11-13), Clemson (April 17-19), Notre Dame (May 1-3), and Georgia Tech (May 9-11). These challenging conference battles will undoubtedly test the Cardinals' resilience and ability to compete at the highest level.

Poised for a Postseason Push

With a schedule that features 32 games against 2024 NCAA Tournament participants and four teams that reached the 2024 College World Series, the Cardinals are primed for a deep postseason run. The combination of high-profile non-conference matchups and a grueling ACC slate will prepare the team for the rigors of the NCAA Tournament, where they will look to make their mark and potentially secure a spot in the College World Series.As the Cardinals embark on their 2025 campaign, the anticipation and excitement surrounding the program are palpable. Fans can look forward to a season filled with thrilling moments, intense rivalries, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that has become synonymous with Louisville baseball.