3rd & Central – Details, episodes & analysis

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 Munroe

1:20 – High School and Juco Journey

4:25 – Playing for the Juco National Team

6:12 – What Drew Jake to Louisville

8:12 – “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

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Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville

https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#

https://x.com/thestateoflou

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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

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

Louisville baseball looks to bounce back after another disappointing season behind Dan McDonnell and company. What changes have to be made? What players are exiting? Who will replace them? Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner answer those + more on this weeks episode of 3rd & Central on the State of Louisville Podcast Network.

• College World Series wraps up - final thoughts on the 2024 season
• Comparing this years Omaha experience to others
• Aaron’s take on the best way to build a roster in modern college baseball
• Matt’s take on the portal 
• A Omaha stat that shows the importance of the portal and its impact on CBB
• Where does high school recruiting fall and how will McDonnell and staff utilize it 
• Is the portal and NIL sustainable in college baseball?
• Players who hit the portal for Louisville
• Biggest surprise?
• Isaac Humphrey more likely to transfer or go pro?
• Losing a legacy roster member
• Transfers who found the best fits
• Players transferring into Louisville thus far
• Biggest challenge heading into back half of the portal
• One position UofL desperately has to shore up
• Can Tucker Biven be the closer or is he better served as a starter?
• Cards on the USA Collegiate Baseball squad 

Visit a Louisville Hidden Gem - Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine

Featuring a full bar with award winning mixologists along with a packaged store featuring over 600 whiskeys, some of the best local brews, and much more. Visit them today at 2115 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206 - Right next to Manhattan Project or visit https://louisvilledrinks.com/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit https://store.mrandmrsbourbon.com/

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

Postseason play is here for Louisville baseball. Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner break down Louisville's draw, opponents, what to watch for and much more before being joined by Micah Beutell of 5th Quarter ACC to talk best parks in the league, preview the championship bracket, and much more.

• GET YOUR BROOMS!
• 32-22 (16-14) - 7th in ACC overall, 4th in the division 
• 52 - RPI | 33 - SoS
• Louisville lands the 7 seed in the ACC tournament
• What could be holding back Louisville’s resume moving into postseason play
• Numbers that support Louisville’s case
• Louisville’s demeanor changing week to week - how to stay consistent moving forward
• What Louisville CAN’T do in Charlotte 
• Taking a closer look at the ND series 
• Feelings on the draw of Miami and Clemson for Louisville
• The absolute musts for Louisville in Charlotte
• Can the pitching match the level it was at against Notre Dame?
• How the schedule works in Louisville’s favor 
• Micah Beutell of 5th Quarter ACC joins the pod! 
• Thoughts on Jim Patterson Stadium 
• Comparing JPS to every ACC stadium after visiting them all in 2024
• Micah’s thoughts on Louisville’s draw in the ACC championship 
• Why Micah’s not sold on Clemson
• What’s more winnable - Tuesday or Friday?
• Is Louisville a lock for the tournament?
• Eddie King Jr. fan club resides on 3&C

Visit a Louisville Hidden Gem - Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine

Featuring a full bar with award winning mixologists along with a packaged store featuring over 600 whiskeys, some of the best local brews, and much more. Visit them today at 2115 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206 - Right next to Manhattan Project or visit https://louisvilledrinks.com/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit https://store.mrandmrsbourbon.com/

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

With the season rounding third, Louisville baseball isn't looking its best. Matt Sefcovic of Card Chronicle and Aaron Turner dive into the recent struggles and what the hell is next for the Cards.

• Shoutout to COACH Aaron! 
• Updates on Louisville’s schedule and resume 
• A few games that cost everything
• Hard to envision this is where they’d be 
• Can Louisville get a tournament bid
• What’s the magic number for Louisville?
• Uninspired baseball down the stretch
• The key to turning around the pitching 
• Notre Dame fighting for their lives - how does it impact Louisville
• Who’s more desperate this weekend
• What happens if Louisville can’t pull out the series
• How the double-header impacts rotations 
• Who are you using in game 3 of the series with ND?
• Cards in the Pros update! 
• A couple of sad injury notes

Visit a Louisville Hidden Gem - Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine

Featuring a full bar with award winning mixologists along with a packaged store featuring over 600 whiskeys, some of the best local brews, and much more. Visit them today at 2115 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206 - Right next to Manhattan Project or visit https://louisvilledrinks.com/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit https://store.mrandmrsbourbon.com/

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

Louisville baseball has had plenty of ups and downs the last couple of series dropping to Clemson and Vandy while picking up a big win over BC. Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner break down the last three opponents, look ahead to the weekend, and dive into the Cards in the pros.

• Updated resume for Louisville following the loss to Vandy
• Louisville will officially do something they didn’t last year
• Is Louisville making noise finally?
• Emergence of Colton Hartman 
• What is the difference between being a bubble team to a dangerous 3 seed?
• Who else could step into the third starting pitcher role?
• Level of concern in Louisville increasing its RPI
• Ceiling and floor for Louisville 
• Weekend preview
• Cards in the pros

Visit a Louisville Hidden Gem - Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine

Featuring a full bar with award winning mixologists along with a packaged store featuring over 600 whiskeys, some of the best local brews, and much more. Visit them today at 2115 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206 - Right next to Manhattan Project or visit https://louisvilledrinks.com/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit https://store.mrandmrsbourbon.com/

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

Things are looking up at the right time for the Louisville baseball program following wins over Miami and WKU. Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner break down both sets of games, look at UofL's resume, debate their postseason chances, and preview a massive series with Clemson.

• The best baseball stadiums in college, minor league, and major league baseball 
• 24-16 (9-9)
• Recapping: Miami (FL), Western Kentucky 
• Looking at Louisville baseball’s resume
• Where Louisville baseball stacks up in the CWS conversation/bracketology
• Reasons to be excited but why there’s still a lot of work to do
• Why the series in Coral Gables defines who Louisville is
• Identifying 3 key players for Louisville - Evan Webster, Gavin Keeling, Tucker Biven 
• Lineup changes during the week day rotation that paid dividends
• Louisville gets HOT 
• Proving that it was personal for Louisville
• Where Louisville’s biggest improvements need to come from
• Can Patrick Forbes become a sunday guy?
• Previewing a uber important weekend series with Clemson
• The biggest key against Clemson’s pitching
• Can Louisville pull off a series upset?
• A positive for Louisville when it comes to facing Clemson
• A Cards in the Pros Update
• Great news on Brendan McKay

Visit a Louisville Hidden Gem - Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine

Featuring a full bar with award winning mixologists along with a packaged store featuring over 600 whiskeys, some of the best local brews, and much more. Visit them today at 2115 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206 - Right next to Manhattan Project or visit https://louisvilledrinks.com/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit Seelbachs.com/collections/mr-mrs-bourbon to buy now!

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

It was a HUGE weekend for the Louisville baseball followed by a disappointing mid-week let down. Matt and Aaron recap all the action and take a closer look at the Virginia series before welcoming in Louisville closer, Tucker Biven.

• Brooms baby, brooms!
• 3-1 over the last 4 
• Recapping NC State and Western Kentucky
• Looking closer at Louisville baseball’s resume 
• 20-12 (6-6) 
• Eddie King starting to come alive 
• Lineup stability paying dividends 
• Who is proving to be the Friday night stud
• Recapping a tough loss to Western Kentucky
• Where there were opportunities to win 
• A chance for revenge
• Previewing the weekend series against Virginia
• Why this series is so important
• Major injuries that could impact UVA
• A streak Louisville will want to break
• Players to know for the Cavaliers
• The biggest series of the season 
• Cards in the Pros updates
• Getting hooked on baseball Cards
• Growing up a Louisville basketball fan \ thoughts on Pat Kelsey
• Welcoming in Tucker Biven! 
• Recruitment to Louisville
• Being a hooper but choosing baseball 
• Experiencing baseball in the DR
• Have you gotten in the new barber chair?
• Korbyn Dickerson’s hidden skills
• Favorite role played so far as a Cardinal
• Retiring the bat
• Beating Josh Rogers 1-on-1
• Gathering momentum from the NC State wins
• Lessons learned from leads

Visit a Louisville Hidden Gem - Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine

Featuring a full bar with award winning mixologists along with a packaged store featuring over 600 whiskeys, some of the best local brews, and much more. Visit them today at 2115 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206 - Right next to Manhattan Project or visit https://louisvilledrinks.com/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit Seelbachs.com/collections/mr-mrs-bourbon to buy now!

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

The Cards have been busy in ACC play with mixed reviews to this point. Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner dive into all the action over the last few weeks and preview the rivalry matchup with Kentucky.

• The best time of year is here
• Proposing an equivalent for cutting down the nets in baseball
• Records update since the last episode 
• Recapping the 9th straight series loss 
• 3-8 Quad 1
• 3-2 Quad 2 
• 11-1 - Quad 3 & 4
• Asking too much from the pitching staff
• Is Tucker Biven potentially the closer?
• Why it’s not far fetched to say Louisville should’ve won all 3 against Wake
• What 3 additional wins would do for the resume 
• Louisville hosts former conference foe, Cincinnati 
• Previewing a matchup with Kentucky (that we know won’t happen)
• Cards in the pros update
• Major League ball is BACK!

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is powered by Kern's Korner

Visit Kern's Korner in The Highlands for the cities best burger & chili! Follow them on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/kernskorner/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit Seelbachs.com/collections/mr-mrs-bourbon to buy now!

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is home to 3rd & Central Podcast, hosted by Matt Sefcovic and Aaron Turner and presented by Kern's Korner! Home to the best chili and patty melt in the 502. Check them out in the historic Highlands!

Louisville baseball has gone 2-2 over its last four and starts a pivotal series with ACC foe, Wake Forest, and Matt Sefcovic & Aaron Turner are breaking it all down.

• Louisville baseball’s best uni combos
• Lack of quality wins
• Friday’s highs and what it meant to get a win
• What went wrong Saturday
• An incredible feat that hasn’t been done in years
• Sunday was no good. How VA Tech destroyed Louisville
• How key contributors not being in the lineup impacted Louisville’s bats
• Where lineup changes have to be made
• Bigger role ahead for Liggett? Why just 1-inning?
• Can Louisville get things going against
• Fielding percentage and the story it tells so far
• What can Louisville do to slow down Wake’s offense
• The pitching staff and who takes the field

The State of Louisville Podcast Network is powered by Kern's Korner

Visit Kern's Korner in The Highlands for the cities best burger & chili! Follow them on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/kernskorner/

Drink Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon

Former Louisville Cardinal basketball star Russ Smith is changing the bourbon game with Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company. Skip the cold and hassle and have Mr & Mrs delivered to your front door! Visit Seelbachs.com/collections/mr-mrs-bourbon to buy now!