Softball: Irish claim their first Big East victories in doubleheader
By JUSTIN SCHUVER
Sports Writer
The Irish finally got their first two Big East matches of the season out of the way Wendesday, and thanks to some timely hitting, managed to also come away with their first two Big East wins of the season.
The Irish won the first game of a doubleheader against Pittsburgh 5-4, thanks to a five-run seventh inning rally for the victory. Notre Dame completed the sweep by beating the Panthers 4-1 in the second game, behind near-perfect pitching from freshman Heather Booth.
The Big East victories have been a long time coming for the Irish, who have had their first six conference matches postponed due to inclement weather.
The Irish offense was sparked by a bases-loaded double by Andrea Loman in the seventh inning of game one. Mallorie Lenn hit her second home run of the season in the second game, a two-run shot.
In game one, the Irish fell behind early, as starting pitcher Steffany Stenglein was victimized by the home run. Francesca DiMaria led off the bottom of the first with a solo shot, and Casey Pickard followed, giving the Panthers back-to-back home runs and a 2-0 lead before the Irish had even recorded an out.
Stenglein worked a scoreless second inning, but did not last past the third, as Heather Andrews hit a two-run double in the third inning to give Pittsburgh a four-run advantage.
Pitcher Carrie Wisen entered the game in relief for the Irish and shut down the Panther offense for the rest of the game, allowing only one hit over 4 1/3 innings.
Panther starter Nikki Gasti kept the Irish offense at bay for most of the game, allowing only one hit over the first six innings. With only one inning left in the game, the Irish finally solved Gasti in the seventh.
Shortstop Andria Bledsoe led off with a single, but was thrown out at second on Liz Hartman's fielder's choice. First-baseman Lisa Mattison then reached on an error by the Panther second baseman.
Pittsburgh's shaky offense continued when Lenn then reached base on an error by the third baseman, which allowed Hartmann to come home and score the first run for the Irish, while Mattison reached third and Lenn moved up to second on the throw home.
Nicole deFau came up next, but hit a weak pop-up to short that put the Irish one out away from losing. Megan Ciolli kept the rally alive with a perfect squeeze bunt that allowed Mattison to score.
Kellie Middleton, pinch-hitting for senior Alexis Madrid, drew a walk to load the bases for Loman.
Loman came threw with a double to centerfield that scored all three runners and gave Notre Dame a 5-4 lead. Meagan Ruthrauff grounded out to end the inning, but solid pitching by Wisen in the bottom of the seventh made the win stand up for the Irish.
The Irish offensive surge continued into game two of the series, with Notre Dame jumping on top early in the first with two runs off a double by Ruthrauff.
Pittsburgh would score in the second after an error by the Irish, but it would be the only run the Panthers would get off of Booth. Booth pitched all seven innings, only allowing three walks and one hit.
The Irish scored two insurance runs in the fourth to put the game away. Mattison drew a walk before Lenn launched a shot over the fences to give Notre Dame a 4-1 lead.
The team returns home for two more Big East doubleheaders this weekend, facing the two teams currently tied for first in the conference.
The Irish face St. John's on Friday at 4 p.m. and Seton Hall on Sunday at 11 a.m.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, April 10, 2003
