BASEBALL: Irish end break undefeated
By JEFF BALTRUZAK
Assistant Sports Editor
Eight, 7-0-1, 13-2-1, 1959, 600.
The eighth-ranked Notre Dame baseball team finished their California road trip over spring break with a 7-0-1 record on their way to winning the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic in Fresno.
The Irish are now 13-2-1 overall, their best 16-game start since the 1959 squad went 14-2.
To top it off, head coach Paul Mainieri captured his 600th career victory on Saturday, directing the Irish, who wore green jerseys to mark St. Patrick's Day, past Portland State 7-6 to win the Classic.
"I don't think about [my 600th win] much," said Mainieri. "But I'm proud of it because it shows what outstanding players and assistant coaches we have."
But for a brief moment in the eighth inning on Saturday, it looked as if Mainieri might have to wait on his milestone win. The Irish led 3-1 heading into Portland State's at bat in the top of the eighth, but the Pilots strung together four runs on starting pitcher Danny Tamayo.
Portland State had the bases loaded with one out when Pilot first baseman Steve Chamberlain tripled to right center, scoring three. Tamayo got Kory Casto to ground out for the second out, but was replaced by sophomore reliever Brandon Viloria, who closed out the inning after walking the first batter he faced.
Staring down a 5-3 deficit with just six outs remaining, the Irish offense responded by matching Portland State's four runs, with the rally starting from the bottom of the order. After junior third baseman Andrew Bushey was hit by Pilot pitcher Justin Ballweber and Ken Meyer singled, the stage was set for freshman second baseman Steve Sollmann.
Sollmann doubled to left center, scoring Bushey and Meyer to knot the championship game at 5-5.
Sollmann had his first home run in an Irish uniform earlier in the game, when he crushed a ball over the 400-ft. mark in centerfield off starter Kyle Corra.
"Steve Sollmann had a tremendous week," said Mainieri. "He hit in the clutch well."
Catcher Paul O'Toole, hitting out of the second slot, contributed another two run double when he took a Zach Yarbourgh pitch into left center, bringing home Sollmann and leadoff hitter Steve Stanley and changing the scoreboard to read 7-5.
"For Steve to go out there and have the tournament he did was outstanding," said O'Toole. "He didn't back down from anyone."
Portland State got one more run in the top of the ninth frame, but it would not be enough as Viloria buckled down to secured the two final outs of the tournament.
"By no means did we expect to win the tournament," said O'Toole. "Every game was a battle, but we knew we had the ability to win it all ... It's very hard to string together seven strong games in a row."
Stanley was named tournament MVP in a close race with Sollmann. All-American starting pitcher Aaron Heilman, who had a complete game victory over Illinois on Friday night to power the Irish to their matchup with Portland State was named to the all-tournament team.
"The key for us the whole week was our starting pitching," said Mainieri. "And our defense was spectacular."
Heilman owns a perfect 5-0 record, with a 1.66 ERA. Tamayo is 2-1 in his five starts, and Notre Dame received quality starts from Peter Ogilvie and J.P. Gagne during the week.
Mainieri was able to make the call to his bullpen confidently as well, with Viloria and Mike Naumann throwing effectively. Viloria has the lowest opponents' batting average of any Irish pitchers, with batters hitting just .167 against him.
Heilman received plenty of run support in the 9-5 victory over the Illini, with offensive production coming from Stanley, Bushey, Kris Billmaier and cleanup hitter Brian Stavisky, all of whom had multi-hit performances at the plate.
Earlier in the week, the Irish collected extra-inning victories over Miami of Ohio 3-2 and host Fresno State 5-4.
Stavisky hit the Irish's first grand slam of the season versus Fresno State, clearing the bases in the sixth. Sollmann and Stanley tag-teamed to set up the final Irish run in the tenth frame, as Sollmann took off on a hit and run and Stanley poked a single through the left side. Sollmann was able to take third on the play, and scored when O'Toole singled to end the game.
"You have to win those one-run games," said O'Toole. "Being in extra inning games helps build character."
The Irish were 1-0-1 in their first two games of the Classic, shutting out New Mexico 3-0 and tying Navy 4-4. The Navy game was left undecided due to a tournament rule that did not allow new innings to start after the 2 hour and 50 minute mark.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, March 20, 2001
