Domers take part in Metrodome tournament
By NOAH AMSTADTER
Sports Writer
After winning two of three games in last weekend, the Irish baseball team heads into the Hormel Foods Classic hungry for another opportunity to prove themselves as one of the top teams in the country.
The four-team tournament in Metrodome in Minneapolis, pits Notre Dame against three challenging ballclubs: host Minnesota, Wake Forest, and Georgia.
Today, the Irish take on an 8-2 Wake Forest team that hasn't lost since its opening two games. Irish head coach Paul Mainieri looks forward to the challenge.
"This game is a tremendous opportunity for our team," Mainieri said. "You look at all the great schools in the ACC, and Wake Forest is the two-time defending champions."
Senior Scott Cavey gets the start for the Irish. Cavey is coming off a dominating performance against Air Force that earned him co-Big East pitcher of the week honors. In that game Cavey allowed just one hit to go along with six strikeouts.
"It was a very dominating performance, which was something we needed in our first game," Mainieri said. "We were a little uptight. He kept us in the game and let us improve on offense as the game went on."
One of the surprise contributors last weekend was freshman Brian Stavisky. In the tournament, the right fielder went three for 10 with a home run, a triple, a double and three runs scored. After starting lower in the lineup, Mainieri has moved Stavisky up to the cleanup spot.
"My intention was not to put too much pressure on him," Mainieri said. "The last game we thought we'd juggle the lineup, and he played well."
On Saturday, Notre Dame takes on 3-6 Minnesota. The two teams have not met since 1991, when the Irish won 9-5 at the Metrodome. Notre Dame has yet to decide on a pitcher for this game.
On Sunday, preseason All-American pitcher Aaron Heilman goes for his first win of the season against Georgia. Heilman was a tough luck loser last Saturday when the Irish fell to the Buckeyes of Ohio State, 5-4.
Heilman allowed just two hits over the first four innings, but committed a costly throwing error in the fifth that allowed Ohio State to tie the game at four.
In the sixth, the Buckeyes' Trent McIlvain hit a game-winning blast over the fence to send Heilman and the Irish to the showers.
Georgia, 8-0 this season, come off an exhibition game against the Atlanta Braves. The Bulldogs are annually one of the top teams in the South.
Sophomore catcher Paul O'Toole also exceeded Irish expectations last weekend.
O'Toole, who recently moved to the leadoff spot, went 5-11 in the series, driving in five while adding a triple. Shortstop Alec Porzel hit the game-winning homer against Memphis on Sunday.
All games this weekend can be heard on WJVA 1580 AM as well as on the Internet at www.und.com
All Sports Stories for Friday, March 3, 2000
