SOFTBALL: No. 19 Irish struggle in tourney, finish 1-4
By AARON RONSHEIM
Sports Writer
The Irish went 1-4 at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic over the weekend, dropping their season record to 4-6.
"We didn't win as much as we would have liked, but I think we played very well," said All-American catcher Jarrah Myers.
The Irish, who were ranked 19th coming into the weekend started out with a 4-0 loss to No. 11 Oregon. The Irish quickly rebounded with a 6-0 victory over Southern Mississippi. Freshman outfielder Megan Ciolli and freshman catcher Annie Dell'Aria each hit their first career home runs in the win.
On Saturday the Irish lost 3-2 to No. 8 Arizona State.
They got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the third inning on a two-run single by freshman Liz Hartmann. The Irish held the lead until the seventh inning when Arizona State's Kara Brun hit a walk-off two run homer for the victory.
"I think the pitchers did an awesome job this past weekend. They held some great teams to only a few runs," said Jarrah Myers.
The team lost All-American pitcher Jennifer Shannon to graduation, but have replaced her with freshmen Carrie Wisen and Steffany Stenglein.
Stenglein, who pitched a total of 26 innings in the tournament, picked up her first complete game shutout in a 6-0 victory over Southern Mississippi.
"[The pitchers] have done a great job the past two weekends," said Irish head coach Deanna Gumph. " They have improved greatly over the past few games."
Against Oklahoma on Sunday the Irish suffered their third straight one-run loss to a top ten team. In the second inning Irish center fielder Jarrah Myers led off with a solo home run for a 1-0 lead. With the score 3-1 in favor of the Sooners entering the seventh inning, junior Andria Bledsoe brought the Irish within a run with a led off homerun. The Irish were able advance the tying run to second base, but Nicole DeFau was thrown out to end the game trying to
score on Jenny Kriech's single to right field.
"We're hanging in their with these top 10 teams to the very last play where the game can go either way. If we're right there with the teams now, imagine where we can be later in season," said captain Jenny Kriech.
The Irish have played four top ten teams over the past two weekends.
"We are playing the toughest schedule that we have ever played. I'd rather be playing all these tough teams now. We are getting better quicker than ever before," said Myers.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, February 26, 2002
