Irish softball kicks off season in Las Vegas tourney
By RACHEL PROTZMAN
Sports Writer
The 2000 Irish Softball team will kick off its season this weekend as the women travel to the University of Nevada's Las Vegas Tournament.
Notre Dame will play five of the 16 participating teams.
Head coach Liz Miller, now in her eighth coaching season at Notre Dame, has high expectations for the opener this weekend.
"Right now we set very high goals for ourselves. We expect to go and win every game."
This year the Irish are making their first appearance in the top-25 rankings since 1997 with a 22nd place ranking.
The Irish, coming from a 42-20 record last season, will look to improve on last year. But it won't be easy.
With an undefeated conference performance, Notre Dame grabbed its first Big East championship last year before advancing to NCAA Regionals where they defeated fifth-ranked Michigan before falling to Nebraska in extra innings.
This year Notre Dame looks to repeat last year's stellar performance.
The team is expected to finish first again in the Big East by a poll of conference coaches.
The Irish secured eight of nine first place votes, finishing with 64, 11 more than No. 2 Boston College.
Notre Dame led off this season with a bang at the Kla Classic at Cal State Fullerton.
The Irish went 4-2 in the tournament that included 10 of the top 25 and six in the top 10 rankings.
Notre Dame advanced to the semifinals after defeating Cal State Northridge, Texas, No.16 Louisiana-Lafayette and No.6 Oklahoma.
The Irish fell to No.2 Arizona and No.3 Arizona State.
Pitcher Jennifer Sharron was honored by the NFCA in last week's outstanding Division I player performance list. Sohpomore pitcher Michelle Moschel and freshman first baseman Andrea Loman were named as the pitcher and rookie of the week by the Big East conference.
The Irish lead off the three-day tournament against Portland State Friday morning. Finishing with a 12-37 record last season, the Vikings have never faced Notre Dame in competition.
Notre Dame plays Southern Utah next. The Thunderbirds, ending last year at 10-48 and returning just three of its nine starters, are currently 0-2.
Saturday morning the Irish are slated to face Oregon. The Ducks stand at 4-1 in the 2000 season, losing only to fifth-ranked Southern Mississippi.
They finished last year at 40-29 after advancing to the NCAA Regionals and grabbing the No. 25 national ranking.
With a 1-1 history against the Ducks, Notre Dame looks to have the upperhand.
Notre Dame is looking to revenge its 6-2 loss to Santa Barbara during the 1999 season. UCSB stands at 3-1 in the 2000 season.
The Irish end weekend play against Utah. The Utes, picked to finish first in the Mountain West Conference, are currently 0-3 after the Fiesta Bowl Tournament last weekend.
Although lacking senior leadership, the Irish have returned seven starters, including 1999 Big East pitcher of the year, Jennifer Sharron and 1999 Big East player of the year, shortstop, Melanie Alkire.
Also returning from the all-Big East Team, are outfielders Lizzy Lemire and Jennifer Kriech.
Notre Dame has a new defensive look in the infield this season as freshmen Andrea Loman, Alexis Madrid and Andria Bledsoe are slated to start at first, second and third bases, while sophomore Jarrah Myers switches from third to catcher.
Joining Lemire and Kriech in the outfield is junior Danielle Klayman, a returning starter.
The Irish, who have not played outdoors yet this year, face teams that have already started the 2000 season.
"We have a little catching up to do, but we won't let that be [the other teams'] advantage. It doesn't hold us back," Miller said. "We need to go out there and play our game."
All Sports Stories for Thursday, March 23, 2000
