Feb. 17, 2006
The University of Notre Dame softball team (1-1) began its 2006 season with mixed results on day one at the UNLV Desert Classic. Notre Dame dropped game one 5-4 to Colorado State (4-3), but rebounded to defeat BYU (4-2) 8-3 in game two. The Irish bats, facing opposing pitching for the first time this season, did not wake up until the seventh inning of the game one. When the offense finally awoke, Notre Dame did show several positive signs of what it is capable of achieving this season.
After waiting six innings to post its first hit of the season, Notre Dame eventually piled up 15 hits in the two games. Freshman Linda Kohan enjoyed a memorable first career hit by crushing a three-run home run in the seventh inning of game one. Senior Mallorie Lenn delivered the big blow in game two with a grand slam home run in the sixth inning. On the pitching side, freshman Brittney Bargar picked up her first career victory in game two against BYU.
Notre Dame faced both its opponents on Friday at a small disadvantage – both Colorado State and BYU had at least five games under their belts before they faced the Irish. The advantage was obvious early, as Colorado State’s Kim Klabough kept Notre Dame hitless over the first six inning of game one. Irish pitching ace senior Heather Booth struggled in her first appearance of the year and spotted the Rams a three-run lead into the sixth inning. Bargar then saw her first action of relief this season, pitching well but giving up a solo home run that, in the final boxscore, would prove costly.
The seventh inning of game one against Colorado State seemed to be a mere formality. The Irish were completely shut down throughout the game by Klabough, who took a no-hitter and eight strikeouts into the bottom of the seventh. The problem for Colorado State was that Notre Dame refused to give up.
Sophomore Katie Laing led off the seventh by reaching on a fielding error by BYU shortstop Rachelle Padeway. She moved up to second on Notre Dame’s first hit of the game, a single through the left side by senior Meagan Ruthrauff. Ruthrauff’s hit seemed to finally wake up the Irish bats.
Lenn followed with her first hit of the year, a long single into the gap in left-centerfield. The Irish baserunners responded well to the play and Schoonaert easily scored from second base. Ruthrauff moved up to third and Lenn ended up at second on the throw home. A certain no-hit shutout for Klabough had been suddenly transformed. The Irish now had runners on second and third with no outs.
Pinch-hitter junior Carissa Jaquish struck out in to record the first out of the inning and the game pressure switched to Notre Dame’s rookie class. Consider the first freshman exam of the season passed for Notre Dame’s seven-player rookie unit (six of whom saw action on Friday).
After Jaquish struck out, Linda Kohan (who started game one at third base) crushed a home run to centerfield and Colorado State’s lead was down to just one run. Erin Glasco was due next and she responded with a single up the middle. CSU called for a pitching change and brought in Jessica Strickland in an attempt to shut the door. Not to be outdone by her classmates, Alexandra Kotcheff posted a similar hit right up the middle and the Irish had the tying run at second base with only one out – and the top of the order due.
Strickland was able to get junior Stephanie Brown to fly out routinely to leftfield for the second out. Senior Sara Schoonaert kept the game alive by drawing a walk and forcing the winning run to second base. Laing was back in the batter’s box for the second time in the inning with the game on the line, but she quickly fell behind in the count 1-2. The Irish second base worked the count back to 3-2, but was fooled on an inside pitch and called out looking to end the game.
The Irish were able to carry over their comeback momentum into the game two. Instead of waiting six innings to post their first hit, Laing quickly singled to leftfield in the top of the first. Although the Irish did not score in the first inning, the team had seemed to find its confidence at the plate.
Bargar was also starting to find her way as well. Working with a strike zone that was difficult and ever-changing, the rookie righthander kept her composure through 4 1/3 solid innings. Booth returned to pitch 1 2/3 innings in the middle of the game and junior Kenya Fuemmeler finished off the victory in the seventh inning (picking up two strikeouts).
The offense in game two was provided by Laing (two for two with a walk, hit-by-pitch and run scored), junior Gessica Hufnagle (RBI triple down the leftfield line in the fourth inning) and Kohan (two for four). Of course the big hit was delivered by Lenn in the sixth inning.
With the Irish holding on to a one-run lead (3-2), Schoonaert reached on a muffed throw at first to begin the inning. She stole second base and with one out, Kotcheff singled to second base to put runners on first and third. After Laing was hit by a pitch, Schoonaert scored on a wild pitch for what appeared to be a necessary insurance run. In the end, it was unnecessary for after Ruthrauff drew a walk, Lenn delivered her big hit to finally decide the outcome of the game.
The tournament continues for the Irish on Saturday, Feb. 18, with two more stern tests. The Irish will face #14/12 Oregon State at 9:00 a.m. and the host team, UNLV, at 3:45 p.m. Both games will be held in UNLV’s main facility, Eller Media Stadium just blocks off the Las Vegas `Strip.’ Both games also will be available via live audio coverage on www.und.com for Fighting Irish All-Access subscribers.
NOTES: Freshman Brittney Bargar ended up with both decisions in Friday’s games to establish her record at 1-1 … rookie Beth Northway pinch ran for the Irish in both games and Erin Glasco saw action behind the plate against BYU … Stephanie Mola had a pinch hit appearance in game two … Christine Farrell was the only Irish freshman that did not play, as she is still recovering from offseason surgery … Linda Kohan started game one at third base while Carissa Jaquish started game two … both Irish corner players defended their positions well … the Irish coaches are letting the two player decide with their play who will be the regular starter … Gessica Hufnagle not only had a bit hit in game two, she made a great diving catch in game one to rob Colorado State of a possible scoring opportunity … Meagan Ruthrauff, with three walks in game two on Friday, pushed her career total to 82, just five behind Andrea Loman’s career record of 87.