Irish return to Starkville, look to open 2001 with success
NOAH AMSTADTER
Kicking off what looks to be a magical season for the Irish baseball team, the Irish head to Mississippi State on a magic bus.
Notre Dame flies from Chicago to Memphis today, then takes a high-tech bus from Memphis to Starkville, Miss., where they will take part in a weekend tournament. The bus comes equipped with Direct TV and data ports, providing luxury for the four-hour drive.
"It's unbelievable," said junior center-fielder Steve Stanley. "This guy that drives it his name is Everett. He really treats us first-class. It's a great time.
Notre Dame opens its season Saturday versus New Orleans in the same stadium where they ended their season last year. 2001 marks the first year in Notre Dame history that they open the season in the same stadium the previous season ended.
Taking on New Orleans has a special meaning for the Irish. New Orleans is coached by Randy Bush — who was a star pinch-hitter for the Minnesota Twins in the late 1980's as well as a New Orleans alumnus.
Bush also is best friends with Irish coach Paul Mainieri. Mainieri and Bush played together both at Miami-Dade North Community College and New Orleans. In fact, the two men served in each other's wedding.
The Irish will battle fatigue on Saturday. Although the team is not expected to arrive in Starksville until midnight, Notre Dame takes on New Orleans bright and early at 10 a.m.
Following the New Orleans game, Mainieri's team will have little rest, challenging Mississippi State at 1 p.m. Last season, the Mississippi State's ninth-inning victory in Starksville ended the Notre Dame season.
The Irish take on the host Bulldogs again at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Bush brings in a revamped New Orleans squad. The team went 38-25 last year and won the Sun Belt conference. However, the Privateers return only nine letter winners.
The Irish, on the other hand, return seven of nine starters from a 2000 squad that went 48-18 and was only one win away from the College World Series.
Senior All-American righthander Aaron Heilman surprised nearly everybody in the Notre Dame baseball community when he elected to return to Notre Dame for his senior year after being selected as a "sandwich pick" between the first- and second-round of the Major League Baseball draft.
Heilman owns a 28-7 record and a 2.80 earned-run average during his three years on the mound.
Senior righthander Danny Tamayo proved to be an invaluable asset on the mound last season following Tommy John surgery that sidelined him early in his career. Tamayo pitched a three-hit shutout over Mississippi State in the NCAA Regionals last season.
The Irish offense returns seven starters — including two dangerous offensive weapons in senior shortstop Alec Porzel and sophomore rightfielder Brian Stavisky. Porzel led the team with 58 runs-batted-in while Stavisky slugged a team-high 14 home runs.
Juniors Paul O'Toole and Stanley will be looked upon to add speed to the Irish offense. Stanley led the team last season with a .362 average and 29 stolen bases. O'Toole provided strong defense behind the plate while slugging eight homers and swiping 16 bases.
The Irish face an uphill battle this weekend, as they take on two teams that have the advantage of year-round warm weather to practice outdoors. Stanley considers Notre Dame's familiarity with Starkville will make up for any disadvantage in practice time.
"Going back to Starkville is going to help us, playing in a place we're familiar with," Stanley said. "We've got seven starters in the lineup that started last year. We've got a great pitching staff. I don't think not being outside is going to hurt us too much."
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 16, 2001
