Watch: Dan McDonnell, Louisville Players Talk Start of 2024 Preseason

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Baseball season in the Derby City is just around the corner.

In preparation of the upcoming 2024 season, the Louisville baseball program conducted their first official team practice of the preseason on Friday. The Cardinals also held a scrimmage afterwards, which was open to the public.

"It's exciting, because you start playing real soon." infielder Logan Beard said. "We'll get scrimmages in, and everyone's excited to just get out on the field. Nice weather helps too, for sure. We enjoy coming out here, especially the weather's good."

Louisville is coming off of a 2023 season in which they not only missed the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, they failed to qualify for the ACC Tournament after going 31-24 overall and 10-20 in conference play. As expected, the Cardinals head into their 2024 campaign unranked in all of the major college baseball preseason polls.

"The reality is, if we don't win the national championship, there's a party that's gonna think it didn't go your way. Then you have to realize even if he did win the national championship, you have to turn the page," head coach Dan McDonnell said. "It's a new year, it's a new group, it's a combination of returners and high talented recruits. It's guys with goals and visions and dreams. Nothing changes on that front where the bar is set, and what we're trying to accomplish as a program. But you got to take a big step back, and you got to slow down and stick to the process. It's the first week of scrimmages, so let's see where we're at."

Louisville will open up the 2024 season down in Tampa, Fla with a trio of games against Indiana State, South Florida and UConn. The first pitch of the year against the Sycamores is scheduled for Friday, February 16 at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Prior to the start of practice, McDonnell, Beard and right-handed pitcher Carson Liggett took time to meet with the media. They discussed the offseason, the preseason itself and how they are preparing for the upcoming season, and more.

Below are the videos from their press conferences:

Head Coach Dan McDonnell

Infielder Logan Beard

Right-Handed Pitcher Carson Liggett

(Photo of Dan McDonnell, Jack Payton: Scott Utterback - Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK)

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