More on the Louisville Regional

David Boclair's piece in the Nashville City Paper notes how the Illinois State and Louisville team the Commodores faced earlier this season are not (exactly) the same teams they'll see this weekend. Specifically, the Illinois State Redbirds were without second baseman Kevin Tokarski, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, when the teams met in the Music City Classic. Tokarski batted .429 in 50 games of the regular season and scored 67 runs, which was at least 27 more than any of his teammates. He also led the Redbirds in walks (50), doubles (25), RBIs (49) and stolen bases (33). In the 17 inning marathon in Nashville, Louisville was without sophomore Ryan Wright, one of four Louisville players who earned first-team All-Big East honors. Wright hit .366 and had a team-high 77 RBIs in 57 games. He also struck out less than one time for every 10 at-bats (an impressive number, but still not as good as Go-Go).

Jeff Lockridge's Tennessean piece today focuses on the recent rivalry between Vanderbilt and Louisville, which got even more intense after the 11-10 17 inning marathon win for the Commodores on a Jason Esposito walk-off homer. After Esposito's bat went flying towards the mound, the Louisville coach decided to pull his team and not allow them to shake hands with the Commdores. Whatever happens if these two teams face each other, Coach Dan McDonnell will not have the ability to hold his team back...at least not until Monday. McDonnell, was suspended yesterday for three games for arguing and making contact with umpires during a loss to St. John's in the Big East Tournament last weekend.

Yahoo! Sports' Kendall Rogers has a Louisville Regional Preview, while VUCommodores.com has an article on the importance of getting into the winner's bracket if the team is going to a Super Regional.