Irish pitching fails to live up to expectations
By BRIAN TRAVERS
Sports Writer
The Notre Dame pitching staff, which came into last night's game with an NCAA leading 2.72 earned run average (ERA), gave up an uncharacteristic nine runs as the 20th ranked Irish dropped to 36-12 in a 9-4 loss to Northwestern.
Wildcat batters hit the ball hard all night, pumping out 18 hits, including 16 singles. The first four batters in the order hit 12-18 with 7 RBI. Northwestern pitcher Zach Schara (7-4) scattered nine hits and allowed only two earned runs to record the complete game win.
"It was just one of those nights that things didn't go our way," head coach Paul Mainieri said after the game. "It's pretty disappointing."
The Irish pitching staff could not seem to get the job done, as three different pitchers combined to allow the nine Wildcat runs. Starter Drew Duff (4-2) took the loss, giving up five runs in three innings. Mike Naumann and Brandon Viloria each gave up a pair of runs in relief work.
Northwestern got ahead early, scoring three runs in the first inning on singles by each of their first four batters and a Pat Thompson sacrifice fly. The top of the order beat up Irish pitching again in the third, scoring two runs on three hits.
The Irish looked to rally in the bottom of the third as consecutive two out singles by Steve Stanley, Alec Porzel, and Jeff Felker plated two runs to pull the team within three.
Northwestern answered quickly in the fourth, though, as left fielder Robert Dainton's bases-loaded single drove in two, making the Wildcat lead 7-2. Dainton went 4-5 in the game with three RBIs and a pair of runs.
Notre Dame pulled within three again in the fifth as Jeff Perconte reached base on an error and singles by Stanley and Porzel loaded the bases for Jeff Felker. Felker hit a soft ground ball on the infield that appeared to be an inning-ending double play, but Felker beat the throw to first, scoring Porzel and a hustling Stanley from second.
Any hopes of another late game Irish rally were dashed in the eighth inning, though, as Northwestern scored the game's final two runs, putting a comeback out of reach.
Schara, who normally starts weekend conference games for North-western, made a rare midweek, non-conference start against the Irish, and shut Notre Dame batters down for most of the game.
"Schara is one of their weekend starters and one of their top pitchers," Mainieri said after the game. "We pitched one of our midweek starters, and he didn't pitch as well."
The Irish will look to turn it around Wednesday as they host a doubleheader against Oakland at 4:05.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, May 3, 2000
