There’s a reason why this deep dive into the Cardinals survival W over Arizona won’t be so deep, or such a dive into the nuances. A reason why it will be scattershot.

Because the manner of how U of L extended its stay in Omaha was so dipsy doodle, so whirly twirly, so psychedelic.

Back in the day, we who imbibed were advised that in the years, decades to come we would experience flashbacks.

Few and far between they’ve been, but cherished nonetheless.

The bottom of the 8th was the latest, psychedelic. I can think of no more appropriate descriptor.

The Cardinals, down 2-3 with six outs to play with, plated a half dozen.

A sixburger.

Actually three double cheeseburgers, one with everything, one with mayo and pickles no onions, one with lettuce and tomato and Savannah Banana peppers.

To say, it had a little bit of everything, most of all which, thank you Baberuthius, inured to the benefit of Louisville.*

*My apologies in advance to all the players who contributed along the way, whose specific significance I might miss. Understand I’m still seeing tracers.

Of all the visuals hard to believe we were seeing, none was more improbable than even keeled, ever mild mannered  Dan McDonnell reaming out his team between innings.

It worked.

Coming to bat in the bottom of the 8th, Cards needed something to kick start ’em.

Starter Ethan Eberle had given up three in 3 and 2/3ds. Bullpenners Wyatt Danilowicz and Tucker Biven hadn’t surrendered any more. The Cards grabbed one back in the bottom of 2d, another in last of the 7th.

Louisville had left way too many on base.

But were aided by some sterling play in the field. Zion Rose had two himself. A back handed lay out grab for a line out in the 2d. A bazooka throw to get an advancing runner, ending the ‘Zona 6th with a wild DP.

Heading into blissful half, U of L was 1/10 with runners in scoring position. Jake Munroe reached on an error by the Wildcat shortstop. Eddie King Jr. flared a single.

Which meant the Cards then had to face reliever Tony Pluta, called by somebody, “the best pitcher in baseball.” 3-0 on the season. 1.24 Era. 34 Ks vs. 7 BBs. The Arizona mound star hadn’t given up a run since Nick Cage and Holly Hunter stole that baby from the crib.

Which is what U of L did to this game. Tague Davis greeted the anointed with a Texas League single. Zion Rose dropped one eighteen inches inside the right field line, plating two.

Oh, I can’t go through it play by play.

Kamau Neighbors got his fourth hit of the day with a RBI. Garrett Pike scored when a running gaffe on his part turned into a run on an error. Neighbors scored on a perfectly executed sac bunt by Alex Alicea. Lucas Moore stole second when the bewildered Wildcats weren’t paying attention, then scored on a Matt Klein single.

Did I get it all in?

Hell, I don’t know.

What I know is the Cards didn’t need those last three outs, because Biven took the mound to close out the win, with more insurance than Jake,  Lemo the Emo and Flo could provide combined.

8-3, the final.

Next: 2:00 Tuesday vs. Coastal Carolina or Oregon State.

— c d kaplan