Irish shutout competition
By RACHAEL PROTZMAN
Sports Writer
Notre Dame softball went undefeated with four shutouts this weekend to grab the championship title at the State Line Classic in Bristol, Tenn.
Sophomore pitcher Michelle Moshel was named the tournament MVP with 14 strikeouts in 11 innings while allowing just three hits. Also joining the all-tournament team were Melanie Alkire, Jarrah Myers and Andria Bledsoe.
"I was real pleased with the performance of the team this weekend, in particular the pitching staff," head coach Liz Miller said.
The Irish, now 11-4 overall, kicked off the weekend with a 4-0 win over Tennessee. Pitcher Jennifer Sharron held the Volunteers to three hits while striking out seven.
Freshman Alexis Madrid singled and eventually scored while junior Alkire also singled to drive in Sharron in the third to give the Irish a 2-0 lead. Juniors Lizzy Lemire and Danielle Klayman both singled to drive in runs in the fourth to give the Irish a 4-0 win.
Notre Dame grabbed its second win of the day with a 1-0 victory over Virginia Tech in the eighth inning. Moshel struck out 12 while allowing just one hit to grab her first shutout this year. Freshman Bledsoe singled in the top of the eighth to send in Myers for the win. With the tying run on third in the bottom of the inning, Moshel held on to force a foul out and a strikeout for the Notre Dame win.
"The Virginia Tech game was a pitcher's duel all the way," Miller said. "Moshel pitched a great game."
Alkire led the Irish with her career's first solo no-hitter and a two-run homerun in the Notre Dame 8-0 win over Kentucky. Myers also grabbed a two-run homer and Jennifer Kriech finished with two doubles to add to the Irish offense. Alkire allowed just three walks with four strikeouts in the 24th no-hitter in Notre Dame's history.
Notre Dame grabbed its fourth shutout and the championship title with a 3-0 win over Virginia Tech on Sunday. Alkire, Kriech and Myers all drove in runs to aid the Irish win offensively while Sharron and Moshel combined to allow just four hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.
"We didn't give up a run the entire weekend and that's remarkable," Miller said. "Plus we had an extremely strong defense, but there's always room for improvement. We need to be able to get down bunts and hit change-ups."
Notre Dame will play again on Sunday in a double header against San Diego.
"We have a lot of games over spring break," Miller said. "This is a regrouping week for us."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, March 7, 2000
