Feb. 23, 2007
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Notre Dame (2-4) fell to Oklahoma (12-0), 7-3, on the first day of the Palm Springs Tournament on Friday, Feb. 23 at Yankee Field in Cathedral City, Calif. at the Field of Dream Complex hosted by Oregon State.
The Irish jumped out to a two-run advantage in the first inning. Senior Stephanie Brown (Chandler, Ariz./Corona del Sol) hit a single off the Sooners’ shortstop to lead off the inning. Sophomore Erin Glasco (Johnston, Ill./Johnston City) walked to put two runners aboard. A sacrifice bunt moved each runner over a base. After a strikeout, Katie Laing (Chandler, Ariz./Corona del Sol) came up with the big hit of the inning driving a two-out single to left centerfield to plate Brown and Glasco with the first two runs of the game.
The Sooners would answer with a three spot in their half of the first. Norelle Dickson hit a lead-off single and after a strikeout, Amber Flores was hit by a pitch to put two aboard. Samantha Ricketts unloaded the bases with three-run home run to center field to give Oklahoma a 3-2 lead.
Two sparkling defensive plays in the second prevented a big inning by the Sooners. After Oklahoma put a pair of runners on second and third with only one out, Linda Kohan (Westminster, Calif./Westminster) snagged a tough lineout at second and Brown came up a defensive diving gem in centerfield on back-to-back plays to keep the margin at a run.
A one-out error in the fourth inning gave Notre Dame the opportunity it needed to tie the game. Laing reached on the error, she moved to second on the single by senior Gessica Hufnagle (Middlebury, Ind./Northridge). A Beth Northway (Kentwood, Mich./Kentwood) walk loaded the bases. Carissa Jaquish (Highland Ranch, Calif./Redlands East Valley) came through with a one-out sacrifice fly to drive in Laing and tie the game at three all.
Another two-run rally gave Oklahoma the lead back in the bottom of the fourth. Mariee Mena reached on a one-out error and moved to second the Traci Dickenson single through the left side. A fielder’s choice off the bat of Dickson eliminated Mena at third for the second out. A walk to Savannah Long loaded the bases. Flores then hit a chopper to short to drive Dickenson in. A bases loaded walk to Ricketts drove in Dickson with the second run of the inning and fifth of the game.
Oklahoma added a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Mena hit a one-out home run down the right field line. Dickenson was then hit by a pitch, stole second, and came in to score the seventh run on Dickson single up the middle.
Sophomore Brittney Bargar (Corona, Calif./Corona) (2-2) took the tough loss going the distance for the Irish and surrendering seven run (five earned) in six innings of work. Oklahoma’s Lauren Eckermann won her eighth game of the season for the Sooners.
Notre Dame continues its play in the Palm Springs Tournament with a game against No. 17 California at 12:30 p.m. (PT) on Feb. 23.
Irish Notes: Notre Dame is now riding a three-game losing streak.