May 13, 2001
BOSTON, Mass. (5/7/01) – Mike Hubbard executed a game-ending squeeze bunt while facing a rare five-infiedler setup as Boston College ended it season with a 7-6 victory over second-ranked Notre Dame, in the final game of the regular season for both teams Sunday at Shea Field.
Notre Dame (45-9-1, 22-4 BIG EAST)-which has lost six times in 2001 by a single run and once by a two-run margin-elected to rest many of its regulars in preparation for the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament (May 17-19 at Commerce Bank Park in Bridgewater, N.J.), with just three starters opening the game at their regular positions (one other, 3B Andrew Bushey, started behind the plate and played just five innings). The Irish also chopped up the pitching rotation, with usual No. 3 starter J.P. Gagne tossing just two innings before giving way to three relievers.
Boston College (29-22, 11-13 BIG EAST) had claimed an early 3-0 lead thanks to home runs from Brian Macchi (his BIG EAST-leading 17th of the season) and pitcher/DH Matt Lederhos. But the Irish rallied to take a 6-5 lead with four runs in the seventh before seeing BC tie the game in the eighth and win it the ninth.
The visitors nearly scored to open the ninth, after Matt Bok’s one-out walk and Ken Meyer’s blooper to shallow right field-but second baseman Ryan Leahy made a big-league diving catch to rob Meyer of the hit and Bok was doubled up on the play to end the inning.
After BC’s early 3-0 lead, both teams plated single runs in the fifth and sixth. Andrew Bushey singled in the fifth and the Irish scored their first run moments later when Ben Cooke’s groundout plated his roommate Mike Carlin (the senior pitcher was inserted as a pinch runner). Alec Porzel then walked in the sixth and scored on Bok’s double to right-center for a 5-2 game.
Cooke ignited the big seventh inning with a single up the middle and scored on Steve Stanley’s BIG EAST-leading fifth triple of the season. Steve Sollmann followed with a sacrifice fly and Porzel singled through the left side, ending the outing for Lederhos. Reliever Erik Olson did not fare much better, uncorking a wild pitch before serving up Meyer’s two-out, game-tying double down the leftfield line. Paul O’Toole then pushed the Irish ahead with a sharp single to right field.
Three BC hits versus Matt Buchmeier (1-1) forged a 6-6 tie in the eighth, with pinch runner Eric Wright scoring on Jeff Mackor’s single through the left side. The Eagles nearly took the lead on that play but third-string catcher Soran Leahy made a diving tag as Jarrett Mendoza tried to score from second base.
Chris Rosado opened the bottom of the ninth by walking on four pitches before moving up on a stolen base and Leahy’s sacrifice bunt. The Irish then removed leftfielder Matt Strickroth and inserted Javier Sanchez as a fifth infielder (on the left side) but Hubbard bunted inside the basepath on the third-base side and Rosado scampered home to end the game.
NOTES:
Thursday’s BIG EAST Tournament pairings are ND vs. Virginia Tech (14-11-1) in the 3:30 game, followed by Rutgers (18-8) vs. Seton Hall (14-11-1) … Stanley started his 180th consecutive game, passing former teammate Brant Ust (’97-’99) on the ND list for consecutive starts (Pat Pesavento holds the record of 204, from ?86-’89) … Stanley has played all but 14 of 1,534 innings for ND during his career (all in CF) … ND’s home runs streak ended at five games … the Irish are 24-5-1 away from home this season (14-3 on the opponent’s field) … Meyer extended his hitting streak to 10 games (tied for 3rd-longest by an ND player this season).
#2 Notre Dame (45-9-1, 22-4 BIG EAST) 0-0-0 0-1-1 4-0-0 - 6 11 2Boston College (29-22, 11-13 BIG EAST) 0-1-2 0-1-1 0-1-1 - 7 12 0J.P. Gagne, Drew Duff (3), Mike Namann (5), Matt Buchmeier (7, L, 1-1) andAndrew Bushey, Soran Leahy (5), Paul O'Toole (9) Matt Lederhos, Erik Olson (7),Mike Elfeldt (7), Mike Sullivan (8, W, 6-4) and Jeff Mackor.Home Runs: Brian Macchi, BC (solo in 2nd, 17th of season), Matt Lederhos, BC(one on in 3rd, 3rd of season).Triple: Steve Stanley (ND).Doubles: Matt Bok (ND), Ken Meyer (ND), Brian Durkin (BC).