May 2, 2004
The University of Notre Dame softball team (44-14, 16-0) dominated its doubleheader with Pittsburgh (20-31, 3-13) on Sunday afternoon and earning its ninth-straight BIG EAST regular-season title and the number one seed in the BIG EAST Championship, set for Syracuse, N.Y., on May 13-16. The Irish won game one 8-0 in six inning, then completed the sweep with a 9-0 victory in five innings.
The Irish offense exploded for 23 hits in the two games, driving in 16 runs and posting seven extra base hits. Senior Nicole deFau, playing her final home games at Ivy Field, led the way with a four for six performance in the two games – driving in one run and scoring three.
Other offensive stars for the Irish were Meagan Ruthrauff (three for four with two RBI in game one), Sara Schoonaert (three for four with three RBI in the two games) and freshman Gessica Hufnagle – who collected her first two career RBI with a single in the second game.
Notre Dame’s pitching staff turned in another dominating performance in conference play, allowing just six hits to the Panthers and striking out 13 batters. Sophomore Heather Booth, the starter in game one, struck out nine while walking three and allowing four hits. Junior Steffany Stenglein began game two with three solid innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. Junior Carrie Wisen finished off game two with two scoreless innings.
Stenglein improves to 20-7 on the season with her victory, while Booth sits at 21-6. Both players are a perfect 8-0 in conference competition this season.
Notre Dame’s victories on Sunday provided it with the BIG EAST regular-season title, its ninth straight since the team entered the conference in 1996. For the first three years, the Irish won the South Division title before the league put all the teams in one division in 1999. Since ’99, the Irish have gone 98-7 (.933) in BIG EAST regular-season play to claim six-straight titles.
The Irish have one more BIG EAST weekend remaining, on the road at Seton Hall (Saturday, May 8, 12 p.m.) and St. John’s (Sunday, May 9, 11 a.m.). The BIG EAST Championship will begin in Syracuse on May 13.
Notre Dame’s victories on Sunday provided it with the BIG EAST regular-season title, its ninth straight since the team entered the conference in 1996. For the first three years, the Irish won the South Division title before the league put all the teams in one division in 1999. Since ’99, the Irish have gone 98-7 (.933) in BIG EAST regular-season play to claim six-straight titles.