Irish post 2-1 record at Hormel Foods Classic
By NOAH AMSTADTER
Sports Writer
Playing in its second tournament of the season, the Irish baseball team improved its season record to 4-2 as it won two of three games at last weekend's Hormel Foods Classic at the Metrodome in Minn-J1eapolis, Minn.
On Sunday, Notre Dame defeated a Georgia team that came into the tournament undefeated before falling to Minnesota on Friday. Notre Dame was led by junior right-hander Aaron Heilman, who finished with a career-high 12 strikeouts while only allowing one unearned run in eight innings.
"[Heilman] was basically the story of that last game," head coach Paul Mainieri said. "He totally dominated that game and we scratched for enough runs to be able to win."
The Irish went up 3-1 on a double by junior shortstop Alec Porzel before adding three insurance runs in the seventh. Those runs proved essential as the Bulldogs rallied to score three runs in the ninth off sophomore pitcher Drew Duff. Closer John Corbin came in to record the final out, earning his 10th career save.
On Saturday, the Irish lost an up and down game to a surprising Minnesota team. After Minnesota scored five runs off freshman pitcher J.P Gagne in the first three innings, Notre Dame rallied to take a 7-6 lead before finally falling 9-7.
"I can imagine what a thrilling experience that must have been for the boy," said Mainieri of Minnesota native Gagne. "Even though he gave up five runs and most people would say he wasn't successful, I still think he showed a lot of poise out there. I saw potential for the future, I'm not giving up on him."
Sophomore Steve Stanley went 2-for-3 with two walks and three stolen bases in the Minnesota game, adding to an impressive weekend that earned him all-tournament team honors.
"I had a good weekend. I just did whatever I could to help the team win the games," Stanley said. "For me that's just to try to get on base and produce runs, let guys drive me in."
Adding injury to insult, the team lost senior captain Jeff Perconte during the Minnesota game. Diving hard for a groundball on the turf, the second baseman injured his shoulder and his status for this weekend's games is undetermined.
In the opening game of the tournament, Notre Dame received its second consecutive dominating performance by senior right-hander Scott Cavey. Cavey allowed two runs on four hits in six innings in defeating No. 24 Wake Forest, 8-5.
"The story of that game was Scott Cavey," Mainieri said. "Wake Forest has one of the top teams in the country, winning back-to-back ACC championships, and for Scott to go out there and pitch that, well, is just fantastic."
Stanley and fellow sophomore third baseman Andrew Bushey each had three hits to lead a 16-hit attack against the Deamon Deacons.
Notre Dame hosts Manchester College today at 4:30 p.m. at Eck Stadium, with sophomore Matt Buchmeier as the starting pitcher.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, March 7, 2000
