ND Softball: Irish start season against top-ranked Wildcats
By: MATT LOZAR
Sports Writer
Not many teams would look forward to starting the season with a new coach, a heavy reliance on freshman pitching and playing its first game against the defending national champions and preseason No. 1.
But that scenario doesn't bother the Notre Dame softball team.
This weekend, the Irish start their season in Tucson, Arizona at the Arizona Pepsi Classic.
Despite a school-best preseason ranking of No 14, the Irish do not feel intimidated by the Wildcats.
"We look at it as a challenge, but it's just not another game for us," said captain Jarrah Myers. "We are just as good as them. We feel as if we are on the same level as them."
The Irish return almost their entire infield, headlined by Myers. The captain catcher committed just four errors last year while batting a team-leading .380. She was recently named the 2001-02 Big East Aeropostale Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Junior Andria Bledsoe, after two seasons at third base, moves to her natural position of shortstop. Moving from first to third base is junior Andrea Loman. Her career fielding percentage of .986 is second all-time. Alexis Madrid will be the second baseman for the third consecutive year.
Along with returning junior pitcher Jessica Sharron, who only appeared in seven games last season, the Irish will rely on two freshman pitchers. Freshmen Steffany Stenglein and Carrie Wisen will play major roles in the Irish pitching rotation this year. Stenglein and Wisen, both from California, bring the Irish total from the state to seven.
When former coach Liz Miller retired after the 2001 campaign, top assistant Deanna Gumpf took over the team. Since Gumpf has been with the team during the past four seasons, the transition for the team was easier than most coaching changes.
"It hasn't been that different from last season," Myers said. "[Coach Gumpf] has been great."
Last season, the Irish had their best season in school history. They compiled a 54-7 record that included a 33-game winning streak. In the national polls, the team peaked at No. 8.
In last year's opening tournament in Florida, Notre Dame started off 5-0 with two upset victories. They look to continue that early season success in Arizona.
"We feel it is very important to get off to a strong start," said Myers. "Getting experience and being prepared for the Big East season is the main purpose for these preseason tournaments."
The Irish will face Auburn, Louisville, New Mexico State, and No. 25 South Florida this weekend. But first, the Irish have their big test against No. 1 Arizona on Friday.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 15, 2002
