May 22, 2004
The University of Notre Dame softball team (49-20) saw its season come to an end at the NCAA Region VI Tournament on Saturday, dropping a 2-1 decision to UIC (41-22). The Flames scored two unearned runs without hitting the ball out of the infield in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of three Notre Dame defensive errors. Notre Dame ends their season with a 49-20 record, posting the second-best win total in school history.
The Irish were leading the game 1-0 entering the sixth, getting the run in the top of the first off an RBI double by Mallorie Lenn. Heather Booth takes the hard-luck loss for Notre Dame, giving up just three hits and two unearned runs. She ends her sophomore season with a 25-9 record. Alison Aguilar shut down Notre Dame after the first inning, picking up her 16th win of the year (16-8).
While the disheartening end to the season will be remembered on the ride back to campus by the Irish coaches and players, Notre Dame did post a very successful season in 2004. With an entirely new infield due to graduation losses, the Irish won 49 games (second-best total in school history), claimed the regular-season BIG EAST Championship, won the NFCA Silver Bracket Championship and the Hoosier Invitational at Indiana. In addition, while the loss of senior first team all-BIG EAST selection Nicole deFau will be felt next season – she is the only player the Irish lose to graduation in 2004.
GAME RECAP:
Notre Dame struck early in the game when Stephanie Brown scored from second on a laser beam double down the leftfield line by Mallorie Lenn. Brown had reached second after a lead off walk and sacrifice bunt by Megan Ciolli. Liz Hartmann lined out to shortstop to end the inning. The Irish missed a chance to add an insurance run in the top of the fifth when Carissa Jaquish reached on a strike out/passed ball. Ciolli stepped in and hit a deep fly ball into right-centerfield. UIC’s Nicole Shepard moved over and made a juggling catch a foot short of the wall for the third out.
UIC briefly threatened in the bottom of the fifth when Emily Stoddard reached on a fielding error by Heather Booth. She moved to second with two outs on a sacrifice bunt, but Cameron Astiazaran lined out sharply to leftfield to end the inning.
Booth was in control of the game at this time, allowing one hit over the first five innings. Her offense was not helping matters, however, failing to post an insurance run in the first six innings – even as they were out-hitting the Flames 5-1 entering the bottom of the sixth. Michelle Miller nabbed the second hit of the game for UIC to lead off the sixth, bouncing a slap hit over Hartmann at third and beating Sara Schoonaert’s throw from shortstop by one step.
Sara Hernandez attempted to move Miller into scoring position with a bunt. Hartmann quickly fielded the ball and threw for the force play at second. Schoonaert attempted to turn the double play (and had a chance to get Hernandez), but her throw to first was wide and entered Notre Dame’s dugout on the first base line. Hernandez ended up at second on the play. UIC power hitter Amanda Rivera then stepped in and lifted a high pop fly right behind the bag at second base. Schoonaert moved over and called for the ball, but Brown ran into her from her second base position, knocking the ball out and committing the second Notre Dame error of the inning. UIC now had runners at first and second with no outs.
The wheels continued to come off for Notre Dame when Hartmann booted a ground ball for the third straight out of the inning. Hernandez scored easily on the play and both runners moved up a base, putting the possible go ahead run at third and an insurance run at second with one out.
The second out was another precarious play, as a fly ball destined for the hole behind shortstop by Nicole Shepard was caught on a diving play Nicole deFau. UIC posted the go ahead run when Tonya Maosi drilled a ball to Liz Hartmann at third. Hartmann could not field the ball cleanly, it was scored a hit and Rivera came home for the go ahead run.
Booth loaded the bases when Elizabeth Jacoby reached on a four pitch walk, bringing up the number nine hitter in the order, Joyce Cathey. The inning finally ended when Cathey grounded out to second base.
The final total in the inning said it all. UIC scored two runs on one hits, three Notre Dame errors and the only ball hit out of the infield was an out – the diving stab by deFau.
All momentum lost for Notre Dame, Aguilar retired the last three batters without an incident to end the season for the Irish.