May 3, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Dani Miller’s round-tripper in the first inning gave the Notre Dame softball team an early 2-0 lead en route to a six-frame, 10-2 non-conference win over Valparaiso Tuesday at Melissa Cook Stadium. Miller stroked the dinger to bring home Alexia Clay after an infield single for her fourth home run in as many career contests against the Crusaders.
Lauren Stuhr added a two-run homer during a four-score sixth inning for No. 21 Notre Dame (39-8), winners of eight straight heading into Wednesday’s home doubleheader with Pittsburgh set to be televised nationally on ESPNU beginning at 4:00 p.m. (ET).
The win was the 30th straight for Notre Dame over Valparaiso to extend the program’s longest winning streak over any opponent.
Ending the game courtesy of the mercy rule was Sadie Pitzenberger with a walk-off single to left-center.
Stuhr’s first hit came in the third inning, and she scored along with Alexa Maldonado on Heather Johnson’s double to left-center.
Valparaiso (30-19-1) cut the Irish lead in half when Tori Brown singled down the leftfield line to plate a pair of scores.
The Crusaders managed to collect four hits on Laura Winter (21-3) in 4.0 innings, as the Irish starter fanned six and gave up a pair of earned runs.
Brittany O’Donnell gave up two hits in 2.0 frames of scoreless relief with the help of a defense that left eight Crusaders on base.
Valparaiso used three pitchers with Sam McGee taking the loss after 2.1 innings of five-hit, four-run action from the circle.
Shaleigh Jansen was tagged for six earned runs on five hits in 3.0 innings.
Johnson had two hits and three RBI for Notre Dame, as did Stuhr.
Alexia Clay and Maldonado each scored twice. Making the most of her second start as a designated player, Stuhr also scored a pair.
–ND–