May 9, 2006
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2006 BIG EAST Championship
Belleville Softball Complex • South Bend, Ind.
Thursday, May 11
Game One: #4 Syracuse vs. #5 DePaul, 10:00 a.m.
Game Two: #1 Louisville vs. #8 St. John’s, 12:30 p.m.
Game Three: #2 USF vs. #7 Pittsburgh, 4:00 p.m.
Game Four: #3 Notre Dame vs. #6 Providence, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 12
Game Five: Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 4:00 p.m.
Game Six: Winner G3 vs. Winner G4, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 13
Championship Game: Winner G5 vs. Winner G6, 6:00 p.m. (CSTV)
Notre Dame and the City of South Bend play host to the 2006 BIG EAST Championship this week –
For the second consecutive season, the BIG EAST Conference, University of Notre Dame and the City of South Bend will join forces to welcome the 2006 BIG EAST Softball Championship to the Belleville Complex.
The tournament, which featured just four teams last season, will have a new look in `06. Eight teams were invited to this year’s tournament and will compete in a single-elimination tourney to decide the BIG EAST Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
Notre Dame secured the third spot in the tournament with a 17-5 record in BIG EAST play. The Irish will face the sixth seed in the touranment, Providence, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 11.
Keep up with the BIG EAST Conference action –
BIG EAST softball fans will have plenty of options to keep up with the action for this week’s tournament. There are championship pages on www.und.com and www.bigeast.org, with the www.und.com page containing each contest’s Gametracker links, final game boxscores and live audio links.
Each game of the 2006 BIG EAST Championship will be broadcast via live audio coverage on www.und.com and will be free for all listeners. Notre Dame Assistant Sports Information Director Chris Masters will call every pitch of the first two day’s action.
For the championship game, which will be broadcast live on CSTV (check your local cable listings), the television coverage will be available on www.und.com free of charge as well. There will be no subscription needed for any of the BIG EAST Championship coverage on www.und.com this week.
BIG EAST Championship ticket information –
Tickets to the championship are available on www.und.com, by calling the Notre Dame ticket office at 574-631-7356 or at the site of the games. Ticket prices are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors (55 and older) and children (12 and under). Students from BIG EAST Conference institutions will be admitted free of charge with a valid school ID.
Directions to the BIG EAST Championship –
The Belleville Complex is located on the far west side of South Bend, Ind., on Mayflower Road.
From the east/west: Take I80/90 Toll Road to the South Bend West/Plymouth 31 South Exit. Go south on US 31 to the Mayflower Road (north) exit. The complex is on the right after the exit.
From the south: Take US 31 north from Indianapolis, follow the US 31 By Pass west once you reach the South Bend city limits. Take the Mayflower Road exit (north) off the US 31 By Pass. The complex is on the right after the exit.
From downtown South Bend: Take State Road 933 (Main Street) through downtown South Bend to Sample Street. Take a right on Sample Street and travel 3.5 miles on Sample to Mayflower Road. Take a left on Mayflower Road, the complex will be on your left.
From the University of Notre Dame: Take Eddy (Juniper) Street south – it will take a turn to the west and become Sample Street. Follow Sample Street across Main Street and continue on Sample for 3.5 miles to Mayflower Road. Take a left on Mayflower Road, the complex will be on your left.
From the South Bend Regional Airport: At the airport exit, turn right. The first intersection you encounter will be Mayflower Road. Take a left on Mayflower road and travel approximately three miles to the Belleville Complex, which will be on your left.
Irish ALERT continues this weekend –
A joint effort between Centennial Wireless, Notre Dame Sports Properties and the Notre Dame Sports Information Office has made up-to-the-minute text messaging a reality this season. Notre Dame announced the Irish ALERT system, which will cover baseball, softball, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse this spring for a free trial.
Simply sign up for the service at www.und.com and your mobile device will receive score updates from each of the four sports throughout the 2006 season. The service also will provide periodical updates providing team schedules and special alerts when content is uploaded on www.und.com.
For softball, updates are sent when a schedule change pops up (delayed games, added games) and in the first, third, fifth and seventh innings of each Irish game.
Notre Dame history in the BIG EAST Championship –
Notre Dame will be making its 11th consecutive appearance in the BIG EAST Championship and the Irish have advanced to the tournament each season of BIG EAST play (Notre Dame joined the BIG EAST in softball in 1996) … the Irish have won the title four times (2003, 2002, 2000, 1999) … Notre Dame has failed to reach the final day/championship game just three times (1997, 1998, 2001) … Seton Hall defeated the Irish in the championship game, in extra innings, in the last two BIG EAST Championship tournaments … the Pirates did not qualify for the tournament this season, leaving the 2006 title up for grabs … two of Notre Dame’s BIG EAST titles came when the tournament was held at off-campus locations … Salem, Va., played host to the tournament in 2002 and `03 … in `02, Notre Dame rallied from a first-day loss to win four games in a row, including two over Virginia Tech on the final day to claim the league title … in `03, tournament MVP Andrea Loman cranked a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to give the Irish a 3-2 victory over Villanova … Notre Dame is 21-13 (.617) all-time in the BIG EAST Championship.
ND series history vs. Providence –
Notre Dame and Providence will be meeting for the 24th time on Thursday evening … the Irish lead the all-time series 23-0, including a 4-1 and 8-0 doubleheader sweep at Ivy Field back on April 2 … Notre Dame and Providence have met just once previously in the BIG EAST Championship … in Notre Dame’s first-ever appearance (1996), the Irish defeated Providence 3-2 in both team’s first game of the tournament.
Providence team preview –
The Friars finished the 2006 regular season with a 29-18-1 record and even 11-11 outcome in BIG EAST Conference play … PC is led on offense by Rachel Barthlomew, who hit .357 this season with 12 home runs and 42 RBI … Elena Romero (.348, 7 HR, 26 RBI) also is a key cog in the Friar offense … Sara Surosky (17-12, 175.0 IP, 2.48 ERA) has seen a majority of the inning in the pitching circle for Providence … she is backed up by Jennfier Maccio (10-6, 2.11 ERA, 126 IP) … Providence is 13-4 on a neutral field this season.
Notre Dame’s final BIG EAST Conference statistics –
While the Irish are disappointed that they did not claim the BIG EAST Conference regular-season title in 2006, the team did post a number of noteworthy accomplishments in league play this year (all stats are BIG EAST only).
Team batting average – Notre Dame hit .350 in conference play this year, leading the league and ending up tied for second all-time (1997 Connecticut) behind the 1997 Irish team that ended up with a .376 team batting average.
Team fielding percentage – Notre Dame led the league with a team percentage of .978, which is tied for fifth all-time with the 1999 Boston College team … BC holds the all-time record at .984 from 2000.
Runs scored – Notre Dame led the conference with 118 runs scored, ahead of Syracuse with 114.
Doubles – The Irish paced the league with 33 doubles, ahed of UConn (32) and Louisville/Syracuse (30).
Total Bases – Notre Dame out paced Syracuse for the league lead in total bases, totaling 318.
Senior Mallorie Lenn, one of four captains on the Irish team in ’06, has reached career-high in batting average, home runs and RBI this season.
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Irish captains –
Notre Dame will feature four captains this season for just the second time in the program’s history. The senior class of Heather Booth, Mallorie Lenn, Meagan Ruthrauff and Sara Schoonaert will provide leadership both on and off the field for the team in 2006. The only other team to feature four captains was Notre Dame’s most successful team ever – the 2001 squad. Current Irish assistant coach Lizzy Lemire shared the captaincy that season with Melanie Alkire, Danielle Klayman and Jennifer Sharron. The Irish finished 54-7 in `01 and earned a number-one seed in the NCAA Championship.
Notre Dame softball on the small screen –
The University of Notre Dame softball team could be featured one more time on cable television this season, with a possible additional appearance in the BIG EAST Championship – which would give the team three national television appearances and four overall. Notre Dame’s first appearance was a single game against Ball State on Tuesday, April 11 shown by Comcast Local. The Irish defeated the Cardinals 5-0.
The first game of a doubleheader vs. DePaul on April 13 was shown live by ESPNU- a game which the Irish won 5-0. The Irish also faced #17/17 Northwestern live on CSTV for a single game on April 18.
ESPNU also covered Notre Dame’s first visit to USF as a conference opponent, showing a 7-4 victory by the Irish over USF live at 10:30 a.m. on April 29. .
Finally, CSTV will broadcast the BIG EAST Championship final game from the Belleville Softball Complex in South Bend, Ind., on May 13 at 6 p.m. The winner of that contest will receive the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
New BIG EAST Conference unveiled in 2006 –
The BIG EAST Conference expansion, which officially took place this fall, has garnered most of its attention in men’s basketball. The conference has quickly transformed into the top men’s basketball league in the country, but the effect that expansion will have on softball cannot be overlooked. The BIG EAST welcomes three traditional softball powers into the conference this season with the addition of DePaul, Louisville and South Florida. All three of the new teams will compete to end Notre Dame’s regular-season conference title streak which stands at 10 years entering the `06 campaign.
Combined with an already solid conference lineup, the BIG EAST is now arguably the top softball league east of the Mississippi River. With a new league alignment, the BIG EAST Championship – scheduled to be played in South Bend, Ind., beginning May 11 – will feature a new schedule. The top eight teams from the league standings will take part in a single-elimination, three-day tournament to determine the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA Championship. The final game of that tournament will be shown live on CSTV.
Season schedule has been a challenge –
The 2006 season has been a challenge for the Irish, as the team has faced several teams ranked in the top 25, or just out of the national rankings.
According to the latest rankings, the Irish have faced (NFCA rankings first, followed by USA Softball) #21/22 Louisville, #10/10 Arizona State (3-2 victory), #4/4 Texas (6-5 loss), #6/7 Alabama (4-3 loss), #14/12 Oregon State (5-0 loss) and #17/17 Nebraska (5-3, eight-inning loss), #17/17 Northwestern (3-2 loss). The Irish also have faced DePaul (5-0 and 3-1 victories) and BYU (8-3 victory), who have both been in and out of the national polls this season and .
Notre Dame knocked off four ranked teams durng the 2005 season. The Irish defeated #21 South Florida and #19 Florida on their first weekend of action (Feb. 12-13), then knocked off #5/6 Tennessee in its last game at the Palm Springs Classic. Notre Dame also defeated #15 Northwestern with a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh on Tuesday, April 26, 2005.
Under head coach Deanna Gumpf, the Irish have knocked off at least three ranked teams in three of four seasons (#25 South Florida, #4 Nebraska, #15 Oregon State in `02; #8 Nebraska, #14 Nebraska, #18 Nebraska in `04). The Irish have defeated a total of 14 ranked teams during Gumpf’s tenure. The most ranked wins for the Irish came in 2001, when the team defeated eight teams ranked in the national top 25.
One-run warriors –
Notre Dame has played 21 one-run games this year. The team has posted a 10-11 record in those 21 games, meaning that 11 of the team’s 19 losses this season have come by a single run.
During the team’s trip to Southern California for spring break, the Irish played six consecutive one-run games, going 3-3 during the stretch with a win over #10 Arizona State and losses to #4 Texas (6-5), #6 Alabama (4-3) and at CS Fullerton (3-2 in eight innings).
•Notre Dame’s one-run victories –
1-0 vs. Buffalo, 1-0 at Cal Poly SLO (G2), 3-2 vs. #10 Arizona State, 1-0 vs. Florida State, 2-1 at Western Michigan, 1-0 vs. Bowling Green, 1-0 vs. Eastern Michigan, 2-1 vs. Connecticut, 8-7 vs. Villanova, 4-3 at Seton Hall.
•Notre Dame’s one-run losses –
5-4 vs. Colorado State, 5-4 at Florida International, 2-1 at Tulsa, 2-1 vs. Stephen F. Austin (8), 3-2 at CS Fullerton (8), 6-5 vs. #4 Texas, 4-3 vs. #6 Alabama, 2-1 at Syracuse, 3-2 at #17/17 Northwestern , 2-1 (8) at #21/22 Louisville, 4-3 at Seton Hall.
Notre Dame takes some of the nation’s top teams to the brink –
Just a quick glance at the nation’s top 25 teams (as of May 8) will provide the true nature of Notre Dame’s 2006 schedule. The Irish have faced seven teams ranked in the nation’s top 25 (according to the NFCA top 25).
While the Irish have just one win against its seven ranked teams faced in 2006 – they have competed head-to-head with the nation’s top teams and represented themselves well. Current NFCA ranking listed –
•#10 Arizona State – (W, 3-2) Notre Dame earned its biggest victory of the year and ended a 10-game winning streak for the Sun Devils … the Irish took a 1-0 lead on a solo home run by Meagan Ruthrauff in the bottom of the second inning … ASU answered with a home run of its own, a two-run shot by Mindy Cowles in the third inning … ASU kept its one run lead until the bottom of the seventh when freshman Stephanie Mola reached on an error and scored on a walk-off two-run home run by Stephanie Brown.
•#2 Texas – (L, 6-5) Notre Dame led the Longhorns 5-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning … the Irish built their lead on two-run home runs from Mallorie Lenn (in the top of the first) and Katie Laing (in the top of the fifth) … after allowing just one run over the first four innings, freshman Brittney Bargar allowed four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning … the Longhorns won the game on a solo home run by pinch hitter Rachel Cook in the bottom of the sixth inning.
•#4 Alabama – (L, 4-3) In the next game on the Irish schedule after the near miss vs. Texas, Notre Dame led Alabama 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning … Mallorie Lenn provided the big hit again with a two-run homer … Alabama answered with three unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off Heather Booth … Bama’s Jordan Praytor then provided the big hit with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth … that run proved to be the game-winner, as the Irish posted two runs in the top of the seventh on a home run from freshman Linda Kohan.
•#14 Nebraska – (L, 5-2 in eight) Taking on the Cornhuskers in Tulsa, Notre Dame rallied from a 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on and RBI double by Stephanie Brown and RBI single from Mallorie Lenn … Nebraska answered with a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning to extend the game … the Cornhuskers eventually won the game in the bottom of the seventh, utilizing the international tiebreaker rule to score three unearned runs with two outs
• #13 Northwestern – (L, 3-2) Notre Dame took a 2-0 lead in the third inning against the Wildcats on an RBI single from Sara Schoonaert, followed by an RBI double by Mallorie Lenn … NU answered back with a solo home run in the fifth inning … the Irish held a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning, but a leadoff walk doomed Notre Dame and Northwestern was able to sneak out a 3-2 victory.
• #19 Louisville – (L, 2-1 in eight) The Irish held a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the seventh inning, when the Cardinals used a leadoff walk to score the tieing run with no hits … the Cardinals eventually won on a walk off home run to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning.
Deanna Gumpf nabs 200th win in record-setting style –
Notre Dame head coach Deanna Gumpf won her 200th game with the Irish in game two at Pittsburgh on Sunday, April 9 – and the Irish made sure the win would be remembered with a record-setting performance. As a team, Notre Dame pounded out 21 hits – matching the school record set back in 1992 against Rhode Island.
Two Irish players posted personal-best hit totals in the contest, with junior Stephanie Brown and senior Meagan Ruthrauff going four for five at the plate. Ruthrauff’s big game drew much of the attention, however, as she set two school records in the contest by hitting three home runs and driving in seven runs.
Gumpf is now 211-87 in her career with the Irish and has led the team to five consecutive NCAA appearances and five consecutive BIG EAST regular-season titles during her tenure.
New coaching staff, new Gumpf Family addition –
Notre Dame unveiled its new coaching staff in a unique way this season. Lizzy Lemire, a 2001 Notre Dame graduate, has joined the staff and Kris Ganeff (Notre Dame `99) moves up into the first assistant role. The change came about with the decision of former Irish assistant coach Charmelle Green to take a job in Notre Dame’s Student-Athlete Development Program.
The unusual twist to the story is that Irish head coach Deanna Gumpf missed Lemire’s official debut with the team. Gumpf and her husband John welcomed their second child, Tatum Elizabeth, on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Deanna has rejoined the team full time on the road for its Spring Break trip to Southern California.
To aid in the pitching staff’s development during Gumpf’s pregnancy, former Irish assistant coach and 1993 Penn State graduate Dawn Austin returned to the team as a volunteer assistant coach this season.
Irish pile up a record 46 hits in three games –
The Notre Dame offense hit a lull over a four-game stretch from April 2-8. The Irish finished 2-2 during the four-game run and combined for 19 hits as a team. Starting with game two at Syracuse, the Irish offense seems to be finding its stride again.
Over a three-game stretch last weekend, all victories, Notre Dame amassed 46 hits (12 vs. Syracuse, 13 vs. Pittsburgh, 21 vs. Pittsburgh) – a school record for hits over three consecutive games.
Notre Dame had previously notched 40 hits in three consecutive games three times:
• 1996 vs. Rutgers (19), Rutgers (12) and Rutgers (9) – from 3-30 to 3-31
•1998 vs. Loyola Chicago (13), vs. Loyola Chicago (14) and Rutgers (13) – from 3-26 to 3-28
• 2003 at Syracuse (11), Valparaiso (12) and Valparaiso (17) – from 4-19 to 4-23
The 2003 season also saw the Irish post the school record for consecutive games with 10 team hits – as Notre Dame won 10 games in a row from April 13 – April 23 and posted at least 10 hits in each game.
Irish have nine players with at least 10 RBI this season –
The 2006 Notre Dame softball team has nine players who have driven in at least 10 runs this season – that ties the 2004 and 2001 teams for second place all-time the program’s history. The 1994 seasoon saw 10 Irish players drive in at least 10 runs.
So far this season, Meagan Ruthrauff has driven in 38 runs, followed by Mallorie Lenn (36), Katie Laing (30), Linda Kohan (26), Stephanie Brown (21), Sara Schoonaert (17), Erin Glasco (16), Gessica Hufnagle (12), -and Carissa Jaquish (11).
Eighth consecutive year with three players collection 30 or more RBI –
For the eighth straight season in 2006, the Irish have seen three of their players post 30 or more RBI in a season. In `06, Meagan Ruthrauff has driven in 38, followed by Mallorie Lenn with 36 and Katie Laing with 30. At least three Notre Dame players have logged 30 RBI in a season every year since 1999, when current Irish assistant coach Lizzy Lemire had 30, along with Melanie Alkire (37), Jarrah Myers (37) and Amy Laboe (31).
The 2001 team holds the school record for players with 30 or more RBI, as Myer led the team with 41, followed by Lemire (38), Andrea Loman (32), Alkire (30) and Andria Bledsoe (30).
Freshman Linda Kohan (26 RBI entering the BIG EAST tournament), could give the Irish four players with 30 RBI, which would match the 1999, 2000 and 2002 teams for second place all-time.
Irish compile a record-matching 21 hits in game two vs. Pittsburgh –
Notre Dame’s offense exploded for 21 hits in game two at Pittsburgh on Sunday, April 9, in a 14-4 victory over the Panthers. The performance matched the school record for hits in a single game. Notre Dame posted 21 hits against Rhode Island on March 14, 1992.
The Irish and Panthers also combined for a Notre Dame record 32 hits in game two – breaking the previous combined hits record of 29 (in the same game against Rhode Island, 1992 and vs. St. Joseph’s on April 17, 1990).
Irish toss three no-hitters in 2006, most for the program since 1994 –
Notre Dame’s pitching staff has posted three no-hitters this season – the most for Notre Dame since Terri Kobata patrolled the pitching circle for Notre Dame back in 1994. In 1994, Kobata hurled eight no-hitters, part of 15 to her credit at Notre Dame.
In `06, Brittney Bargar posted the program’s first eight-inning no hitter in a 2-1 victory over Connecticut on April 1. Heather Booth and Kenya Fuemmeler combined for a no-hitter at Western Michigan back on March 26 and just recently, Booth claimed her first career perfect game in Notre Dame’s 8-0, five-inning victory over Rutgers on April 23.
Notre Dame continues its defensive prowess under Gumpf in 2006 –
The Irish defense has continued to be a dependable force for the team, as Notre Dame will enter this weekend’s play with a .978 fielding percentage. Threatening the school mark of .974 by the 2003 team, the `06 squad has kept alive the tradition of solid defense since Deanna Gumpf took over the program in 2002. The 2003 (.974), 2002 (.971) and 2004 (.968) teams rank one-two-three on the single-season list at Notre Dame.
Irish boast three of the top 10 BIG EAST hitters this season –
Three Notre Dame hitters ended up ranked among the league’s top 10 hitters in 2006, joining regular-season champion Louisville as the only conference team to boast that accomplishment. Stephanie Brown led the league with a .528 batting average, Meagan Ruthrauff was third iwth a .438 average and Mallorie Lenn was ranked seventh with a .390 average.
Career years –
Several Irish veteran players are enjoying their career-best seasons for Notre Dame in 2006:
Senior SS Sara Schoonaert – A career .237 hitter entering the `06 season, Schoonaert is hitting .283 this year and reached career highs in hits (49), doubles (8), RBI (17) and stolen bases (12) in 2006.
Senior C Mallorie Lenn – A career .260 hitter entering the `06 season, Lenn is third on the team with a .329 batting average and has hit a personal-best seven home runs and driven in a career-high 36.
Junior OF Stephanie Brown – Already an all-star candidate after her first two seasons with the Irish, Brown has reached another level in 2006, posting career-bests in batting average (.402), hits (72), doubles (10), home runs (8), and stolen bases (20).
Brown dominates during BIG EAST play –
Junior Stephanie Brown recorded a memorable performance in BIG EAST competition this season. With a home run in her final regular-season at-bat against St. John’s, Brown posted her 38th hit in conference play, breaking former Irish standout Meghan Murrray’s lead record of 37 from the 1997 campaign.
In the final statistical rankings, Brown led the league in hits (38), batting average (.528), runs scored (22), total bases (60) and on-base percentage (.575). She also finished ranked third in slugging percentage (.833), tied for third in home runs (6) and fifth in stolen bases (7).
Brown threatening .400 season average –
Stephanie Brown will enter this week’s tournament action with a .402 season batting average, which is tied for second on the Notre Dame all-time single-season list behind Meghan Murray’s .422 average from 1997. Brown is tied with Andrea Loman (2003) and Murray from 1996. She is looking to become just the third Irish player to hit over .400 for a single season.
Ruthrauff breaks two long-standing Irish records in remarkable performance –
Senior 3B Megan Ruthrauff will see her name atop two single-game record categories after game two at Pittsburgh on Sunday, April 9.
Ruthrauff posted a personal-best four hits in game two – three of which left the park for home runs. She hit a solo shot to leftfield in the top of the first, had an RBI single in the fourth, added a solo shot in the sixth and put an exclamation mark on her day with a grand slam in the seventh inning.
Ruthrauff used all three fields for her home runs (one to left, one to center and one to right) and set the Notre Dame record for home runs in a single game (three) and RBI (seven).
The RBI record was first set in 2000 by `01 graduate Melanie Alkire. Alkire drove in six agianst San Diego State on March 12, 2000. The record was tied twice, once by `02 graduate Jarrah Myers at CS Northridge on March 11, 2001 and again by `05 graduate Liz Hartmann against Oakland on April 30, 2002.
The single-game home run record was held by nine different players – who accomplished the feat a combined 14 times. The most recent was by Hartmann, who hit two home runs against Nebraska on Feb. 14, 2004.
Ruthrauff earned her fifth career BIG EAST Player of the Week award for her performance over the weekend. Over a four-game conference stretch against Syracuse and Pittsburgh, Ruthrauff was nine for 13 with six runs scored, five home runs and 10 RBI.
Ruthrauff reaches career walks record –
Senior 1B Meagan Ruthrauff, Notre Dame’s cleanup hitter the last three seasons, is not only a potent RBI producer (155 in three-plus years, third the all-time Notre Dame list), but she also has outstanding plate discipline.
Ruthrauff has drawn 108 walks during her career, surpassing matching Andrea Loman’s (2000-03) previous Notre Dame career record of 87.
Ruthrauff has already drawn 30 free passes this season and ranks one-two-three on the single-season walk list at Notre Dame. In 2004, she drew a record 36 base on balls and followed up with 31 walks in 2005.
Senior Heather Booth has become the first Irish pitcher to log 800 IP and strikeout over 800 batters.
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Booth becomes first Irish pitcher to log 800 innings pitched in memorable style –
Senior Heather Booth surpassed the 800 inning pitched barrier on Senior Day at Ivy Field, when she and her three classmates were honored for their four years of dedication on Sunday, April 23 against Rutgers. Booth made sure the day would be memorable, as she pitched her first career solo no-hitter and perfect game in Notre Dame’s five-inning, 8-0 victory over the Scarlet Knights. Booth retired all 15 batters she faced, striking out four. She has two other combined no-hitters to her credit.
Booth becomes first 800 IP – 800 K pitcher in Notre Dame history –
With a flair for the dramatic, Heather Booth achieved yet another milestone in memorable fashion during Notre Dame’s doubleheader sweep at St. John’s (May 7). Pitching both ends of the DH and picking up two complete-game shutout victories, Booth surpassed 800 strikeouts in her career, becoming the first Irish pitcher to log over 800 innings pitched and 800 strikeouts – a sign of the durability and physical shape Booth has kept herself in throughout her career.
Booth now Notre Dame’s most prolific pitcher –
While leading her team to a 7-0 victory over Pittsburgh in game one on Sunday, April 9, senior Heather Booth became Notre Dame’s all-time leader in innings pitched with 773.1 – surpassing Jen Sharron’s previous school mark of 772.1. Booth has been a front-line starter for the Irish since she arrived on campus four years ago and ranks in the top five for all of Notre Dame’s significant pitching records. Her current innings pitched total stands at 861.0.
Quick overview of Booth’s all-time statistical rankings at Notre Dame –
Currently, Heather Booth is first all-time in innings pitched (861.0), wins (91), appearances (156) and complete games (82). She also is second for games started (128), strikeouts (801) and third for shutouts (30).
Laing approaching single-season doubles record, AGAIN –
Sophomore Katie Laing posted 17 doubles as a rookie last season to match current Irish assistant coach Lizzy Lemire (1999) and Jenn Giampaolo (1996) for the school record. After a slow start to the season, Laing has now reached 15 doubles – tied for sixth on the single-season list and Notre Dame and threatening the school record that she shares.
Already with 32 doubles in her career , Laing needs just two more to break into the all-time top 10 at Notre Dame in that category.
NOTRE DAME PLAYER BIOGRAPHY UPDATES
See PDF for updated 2006 stats, ’06 BIG EAST stats and career stats for each player.
Brittney Bargar • Fr. • RHP •5-9 •Corona, CA •Corona H.S.
Career: Became the first Irish pitcher to win an eight-inning no-hitter vs. Connecticut on April 1 … threw all eight innings of Notre Dame’s 2-1 victory, striking out six and allowing one for her first collegiate no-hitter … earned her first BIG EAST weekly award on Monday, April 5, as she was named the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week.
Freshman pitcher Brittney Bargar.
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2006: Notre Dame’s No. 2 starting pitcher behind veteran Heather Booth … a confident first-year player capable of solid pitching performances … throws hard with good velocity … posted the biggest victory of her young career over #10 Arizona State at the Judi Garman Classic, allowing seven hits, two runs and striking out seven in Notre Dame’s 3-2 victory … picked up her first career shutout victory in game two at Cal Poly SLO, scattering six hits, walking three and striking out eight in Notre Dame’s 1-0 victory … pitched well in a tough loss at Tulsa, allowing five hits, one earned run and striking out nine in a complete-game 2-1 loss … earned a short victory vs. Northern Iowa, pitching the first three innings of a 10-1, five-inning Notre Dame win, allowing three hits and striking out five … picked up her seventh victory at Western Michigan by logging her longest career apperance, going 7 1/3 innings while allowing just three hits, walking four and striking out six in an eventual 2-1 victory in game two of the doubleheader at WMU … pitched into extra innings for the second consecutive outing and earned her first career no-hitter in game two against Connecticut … struck out six, walked one and allowed an unearned run against the Huskies in Notre Dame’s 2-1 victory … pitched five innings and allowed two hits in game two against Providence, with the Irish eventually winning 8-0 in six innings … dominated game two against Eastern Michigan, striking out a career-high 11 batters … recorded the last seven outs of the 1-0 victory over EMU via strikeouts … saw her six-game win streak come to an end with a 4-2 loss to Akron on April 5 … the loss was the first in a month for the righthander … posted a personal-best with 12 strikeouts in game two at Pittsburgh, but also allowed a season-high 11 hits in the contest … settled down after a rough first inning (HBP, two WP) in game two against DePaul to earn the complete-game victory, allowing four hits, one run (earned) and six strikeouts … sailed through the first six innings vs. Toledo to earn the victory, allowing four hits and striking out seven … posted a BIG EAST shutout in game two vs. Rutgers, going the distance and allowing four hits while striking out three … named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll on Monday, April 23 after going 3-0 during the week with a 1.05 ERA with 17 Ks in 20.0 IP.
2006 Awards:
BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week (4-5-06)
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (4-23-06)
Heather Booth • Sr. • RHP •5-10 •Riverside, CA •Martin Luther King H.S.
Career: Notre Dame’s all-time leader in wins (91), appearances (156), complete games (82) and innings pitched (861.0) … the first Notre Dame pitcher to reach 800 IP (861.0) and 800 strikeouts (801) in a career … second on Notre Dame’s all-time list in games started (128) and strikeouts (801) … only the second Notre Dame pitcher to reach 800 strikeouts in a career (Terri Kobata is the all-time leader with 907) … became Notre Dame’s all-time leader in innings pitched with a complete-game shutout performance at Pittsburgh (game one) on April 9 … followed up by becoming the first Irish pitcher to reach 800 innings pitched with a five-inning, perfect game performance vs. Rutgers on Senior Day at Ivy Field … the perfect game also was her 77th complete game of her career, establishing the school record (which she has since increased)… final BIG EAST career rankings were sixth in innings pitched (269.0), tied for second in wins (32, behind Steffany Stenglein’s 35), tied for seventh in complete games (29) … 2003 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year … 2003, 2004 First-Team All-BIG EAST … 2005 Third-Team All-BIG EAST … 2004 Second-Team NFCA All-Mideast Region … 2004 FSU Invitational All-Tournament Team … did not allowed an earned run in seven pitching appearances from March 25 – April 8.
2006: Staff ace for the Fighting Irish … will carry much of the pitching load and provide leadership for Notre Dame’s pair of rookie pitchers … picked up first win of the season against Florida International (Feb. 24) with a five-inning complete-game shutout, striking out nine and allowing just two hits … also picked up a complete-game victory over Memphis, scattering six hits, allowing one run and striking out 10 … named adidas Golden Panther Invitational tournament MVP for her performance over three days, going 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 15.0 IP … took a hard-luck loss vs. #17 Nebraska, scattering six hits, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven in eight innings … shut down a potent Kansas offense, picking up a complete-game victory with 7.0 IP, two earned runs and 10 strikeouts … suffered a frustrating non-decision against Stephen F. Austin, allowing seven hits and striking out 11 in Notre Dame’s 2-1, eight-inning setback … it was the second consecutive 10 strikeout performance for the righthander … evened record to 4-4 on the season with a complete-game five-hit performance at Cal Poly SLO, allowing five hits and striking out eight … best outing of the early season might have come vs. Florida State, as Booth shut down the Seminoles in Notre Dame’s 1-0 victory with three hits and 11 strikeouts … the FSU game was suspended by rain in the fourth inning, but Booth returned the next day to earn the victory … pitched well against #6 Alabama, striking out six and allowing three unearned runs in Notre Dame’s eventual 4-3 loss … earned second combined no-hitter of her career in game one at Western Michigan, throwing the first four innings, walking three and striking out five … picked up second save of the season in game two at WMU, entering the game with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Irish holding a one-run lead … forced a pop up and then struck out the final batter of the game … turned in the longest pitching performance of her career in a 1-0, 11-inning victory over Bowling Green … worked 11.0 innings, walking two, striking out five and allowing just three hits … forced 16 fly ball outs and 16 ground ball outs vs. the Falcons … struck out five batters in four innings pitched in game one against Connecticut, winning Notre Dame’s 9-0 game-one victory … struck out eight and allowed just three hits (one unearned run) against Providence in game one … shut down Eastern Michigan in game one, allowing just two hits and striking out six … saw her five-game win streak come to an end with a tough 2-1 loss to Syracuse (game one) … allowed only two hits in the loss to the Orange, but walked four and struck out just two … did not allow a single runner to reach base over the final three innings of the Syracuse loss … returned to form in game one at Pittsburgh, scattering five hits, walking two and striking out 11 for the third time in 2006 … pitched four innings of no-hit softball against Ball State, picking up the win while striking out five … earned the game-one victory over DePaul with a solid performance, scattering five hits, striking out six and allowing one walk in Notre Dame’s 5-0 victory … named BIG EAST pitcher of the week for the fifth time in her career and first time in 2006 on Monday, April 17 … finished the week 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, pitching four innings of no-hit softball against Ball State and picking up the complete-game shutout of DePaul … touched for seven runs against Villanova on April 22, but quickly erased the bad feeling from that outing with her first career solo perfect game in game one against Rutgers … on Senior Day (last home BIG EAST doubleheader), sat down all 15 batters she faced and struck out four in Notre Dame’s 8-0, five-inning victory … the perfect game marks the first solo no-hitter of Booth’s career (two combined) and the team’s third in 2006 … shutdown Purdue in game one with 5.2 IP, three hits, two walks and seven strikeouts … picked up her 18th win of the year at Valparaiso, pitching the first six innings and allowing three hits, one earned run and striking out three … buckled down during the last BIG EAST weekend of the year to pick up three victories, including a doubleheader shutout sweep at St. John’s … allowed eight hits over 14 innings against the Red Storm, striking out 13 … named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll for the first time in 2006 for her performance vs. SHU and SJU.
2006 Awards:
BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week (4-17-06)
adidas Golden Panther Invitational Tournament MVP
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (5-8-06)
Stephanie Brown • Jr. • OF •5-6 •Chander, AZ •Corona del Sol H.S.
Career: Terrific all-around player who set the BIG EAST record for hits in a single season with 38 this year … her 38th BIG EAST hit was a two-run home run in Notre Dame’s 4-0 game two victory at St. John’s … set the hits record even while missing a doubleheader against Rutgers with an illness … finished the 2006 BIG EAST season with a .528 batting average, good for fifth on the all-time league list … also smacked six home runs in BIG EAST play this year, tied for seventh on the league list … threatening the Notre Dame record for hits in single season (84) with 72 entering the BIG EAST Championship … also in the running to become just the fifth Notre Dame player to hit over .400 in a season (currently .402) and the first since Andrea Loman in 2003 … ranks eighth on Notre Dame’s all-time home run list with 18 … tied the freshman home run record (held with former teammate Liz Hartmann) with eight in 2004 … has surpassed that number to hit a career-best eight home runs in 2006 … current career batting average of .343 would rank sixth all-time in Notre Dame history … will soon break into Notre Dame’s top-10 all-time in hits with a full year of action left … 2004 BIG EAST All-Conference first team selection … named to the BIG EAST second team in 2005 … has logged three four-hit games in 2006.
2006: Returns to the top of the lineup as Notre Dame’s leadoff hitter for the third consecutive season … a three tool player capable of slapping, bunting and hitting for power … has recently shifted to centerfield after starting the first 23 games of the season in rightfield … earned a spot on the adidas Golden Panther Invitational all-tournament team after posting three hits (including a home run against FIU) and scoring five runs during the two-day tournament … two for four with an RBI double and run scored vs. #17 Nebraska … ended up one for one with two RBI (on sacrifice flies) vs. Northern Iowa … reached in all four at bats against Tulsa, going two for three (reached on an error and error on a sacrifice as well) … provided the game-winning hit with a two-run single in the top of the seventh in game one at Cal Poly SLO, bringing the Irish back from a 1-0 deficit and eventually leading to the 3-1 victory … provided Notre Dame’s biggest hit of the season so far, crushing a two-run opposite field home run in the bottom of the seventh vs. #10 Arizona State for a walk-off hit in the 3-2 victory … that walk-off home run highlighted a three for four performance against the Sun Devils … one for three against both Florida State and Texas and also posted a stolen base against both teams … piled up three hits in game one at Western Michigan, going three for four with two singles, an RBI double and a stolen base … finished two for four with a double vs. Bowling Green … piled up three hits in the doubleheader vs. Connecticut, hitting a solo home run in game two and scoring two runs … finished four for six with four runs scored in the doubleheader vs. Providence … named to the BIG EAST Conference weekly honor roll on Monday, April 5, going nine for 17 over the week (.529) with two runs, two doubles and two home runs … two for five with two stolen bases and one run scored in game two at Syracuse (7-5 Irish win) … posted a career-best four hits and scored three runs in game two at Pittsburgh … shook off the effects of a shoulder injury to pile up six hits during the doubleheader sweep vs. DePaul … was intitally struck in the shoulder by a line drive foul ball while in the Irish dugout against Ball State … missed the rest of the BSU contest, but returned in game one against DePaul togo four for four with two runs scored (matching her career-best for hits in a single game) … ended up two for three in game two vs. DePaul … named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll on Monday, April 17, after hitting 6-7 in the DH against DePaul … led off the doubleheader with Villanova with a solo home run to leftfield … finished three for four in game one vs. Villanova … ended up two for three with two runs scored in game two against the Wildcats with a leadoff double … missed the Rutgers doubleheader due to an illness … returned to the lineup in game one against Purdue and went two for four with a run scored … hit her first career grand slam, an opposite field shot in the top of the second inning to drive Notre Dame to a 7-4 game-one victory over South Florida … came back in game two with another four for four performance against USF, logging four singles and scoring a run … it was the second four-hit game of the year for Brown … hit a solo home run in game two at #21 Louisville to highlight a two for three performance … named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the third time this season after her performances at USF and Louisville … two for three with a run scored (the game-winning run in the top of the sixth) in game one at Seton Hall … two for four with a double and run scored (the game-winner) in game one at St. John’s … one for three with a two-run home run in game two at St. John’s … the home run in game two against SJU gave her 38 hits for the BIG EAST season – a new conference record … named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll for the fourth time and second consecutive week for her performance against SHU and SJU.
2006 Awards:
adidas Golden Panther Invitational All-Tournament Team
Best Western Airport Festival All-Tournament Team
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (4-5-06)
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (4-17-06)
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (5-1-06)
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (5-8-06)
Christine Farrell • Fr. • RHP • 5-8 •La Habra, CA • Sonora H.S.
2006: Freshman pitcher has yet to see action while working through recovery from offseason surgery.
Kenya Fuemmeler • Jr. • RHP • 5-7 •Salisbury, MO •Salisbury H.S.
2006: Veteran reliever who has set career highs for innings pitched and appearances already this season … has thrown well off the bench for the Irish this season … finished off Notre Dame’s 10-1, five-inning victory over Northern Iowa, allowing four hits, a run and striking out three in 2.0 innings … completed the final three innings of a combined no-hitter with senior Heather Booth in game one at Western Michigan … walked two and forced six ground outs along with three fly outs in her three innings of action vs. the Broncos … pitched one inning in Notre Dame’s 9-0, five-inning win over Connecticut in game one … also finished off Notre Dame’s 9-0, six-inning victory over Providence in game two … turned in a great relief appearance against Akron, entering the game with the Irish trailing 4-0 and shutting down the Zip offense over 2 1/3 innings, waling one and striking out one and allowing a single hit … worked two solid innings against Ball State, pitching the fifth and sixth innings of Notre Dame’s 6-0 victory.
Erin Glasco • Fr. • C/DP •5-7 • Johnston City, IL • Johnston City H.S.
2006: Left-handed hitter one of Notre Dame’s top choices at designated player … also the team’s back up catcher in 2006 … drove in two runs with an RBI single in game one vs. Connecticut (9-0 Irish victory) … picked up her fourth RBI of the season with a double in game one vs. Western Michigan (2-0 Irish victory) … has started to show signs of breaking out of a season-long slump … posted a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning during to end game one against Villanova and cap Notre Dame’s three-run rally in the inning … crushed her first career home run off the Ivy Field scoreboard in game two against Villanova, driving in the winning run in Notre Dame’s 8-3 victory … ended another game with an RBI single, this time to push Notre Dame to an eight-run rule victory over Rutgers in game one … finished two for three in game one against Rutgers … added to Notre Dame’s lead in game two against Rutgers with a two-RBI double (7-0 Irish victory) … hit a two-run home run to kick start a rally in game two at Seton Hall (her second BIG EAST home run of the year), but the rally fell short in a 4-3 loss to the Pirates.
Brittany Glynn • So. • OF • 5-3 • Seymour, CT • St. Joseph H.S.
2006: Provides depth in the outfield for the Irish … one of the team’s top pinch-running options … has scored seven runs as a pinch runner in 2006 … posted a memorable first career hit, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against Ball State … the hit represented the first RBI, hit and extra-base hit of her career.
Gessica Hufnagle •Jr. •OF • 5-6 •Middlebury, IN • Northridge H.S.
2006: Had made a switch from catcher to outfielder this season … has rotated as one of Notre Dame’s starting outfielders and is capable of outstanding athletic defensive plays … broke open game one at Western Michigan with a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle to give the Irish a 4-0 lead in an eventual 5-0 victory … carded first three-hit game of her career at Pittsburgh in game two, going three for five with a double and RBI … one for three with a run scored vs. Ball State … tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning against Toledo with a two-out two-RBI single … started at centerfield for the first time in her caree during the doubleheader vs. Rutgers, as regular starter Stephanie Brown was sidelined with an illness … cracked her first career home run vs. Valparaiso on Thursday, April 27, highlighting a two for three performance at the plate … two for three with two singles and a run scored in game two at Seton Hall … tacked on an key insurance run in the top of the seventh inning in game one at St. John’s, hitting a solo home run to represent the final run in Notre Dame’s 2-0 victory … one for three with a run scored in game two at St. John’s.
Carissa Jaquish •Jr. • INF •5-6 • Highland, CA •Redlands East Valley H.S.
2006: Has the ability to play third base, outfield and catch for the Irish if necessary … started in leftfield for the Irish at Cal Poly SLO … has also been a catcher for the Irish during her career … hit her first home run of the season in dramatic fashion, launching a two-run shot with one out in the top of the 10th inning to provide the winning margin in game two at Syracuse, Notre Dame taking the win 7-5 … one for one with a two-RBI triple in game two at Pittsburgh … logged third three-hit game of her career in game one against Villanova, finishing thee for three with two runs scored and an RBI … the RBI was noteworthy, as it drove in the game-tying run during Notre Dame’s three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh … eventually scored the game-winning run on a single from teammate Erin Glasco in the team’s 8-7 victory … two for three with an RBI single in game one against Rutgers … capped a five-run first inning in game one against Purdue with a two-run home run to rightfield, her second round tripper of the season … also posted a double ingame two against the Boilermakers … hit an RBI double in the first inning to drive in the first run of Notre Dame’s 7-4 game-one victory at USF.
Junior OF Carissa Jaquish.
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Linda Kohan • Fr. • INF • 5-6 • Westminster, CA • Westminster H.S.
2006: Has appeared at both third base and first base for the Irish this season … also the top option for the Irish at DP when not in the starting defensive alignment … slammed three home runs in her first collegiate weekend of action, earning a spot on the BIG EAST Conference Softball Honor Roll … first career hit for the Irish was a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against Colorado State … finished two for three against BYU and was hit by a pitch … two for three with a solo home run against UNLV … posted a personal-best three hits against CS Fullerton, going three for four with a solo home run, double and two runs scored … finished two for four with an RBI against Memphis … two for four with an RBI double vs. Kansas … broke out of an 0-22 slump with a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning in Notre Dame’s 4-3 loss to #6 Alabama … two for three with a single, double and run scocred in game one at Western Michigan … had a single hit in game two against the Broncos, finishing the doubleheader three for six … smacked two doubles in the twin bill with Eastern Michigan, finishing two for three in the doubleheader with a walk … drove in the only two runs of Notre Dame’s 4-2 loss to Akron with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning … two for three with two runs scored and a solo home run (her fifth of the season) in Notre Dame’s 14-4 victory over Pittsburgh in game two … two for two with a an RBI double, single and walk in Notre Dame’s 6-0 win over Ball State … drove in the third and fourth run of Notre Dame’s game one victory over DePaul with a two-RBI double … one for two with an RBI single vs. Toledo … three for three and reached base four times in Notre Dame’s come-from-behind victory over Villanova … just missed the game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh, drilling a double just off the top of the Ivy Field wall … eventually scored the game-tying run on a double from Carissa Jaquish … one for one with three RBI in game one against Rutgers … hit a two-RBI double in the first inning against the Scarlet Knight and added a sacrifice fly … fnished game one against Purdue three for four with two RBI, two singles and a double … one for two with two runs scored at Valparaiso … one for three with an RBI single in game two at #21 Louisville … two for two with a double and two walks in game one at Seton Hall (4-3 Irish victory) … one for three with a double and run scored in game two at Seton Hall.
2006 Awards:
BIG EAST Softball Honor Roll (2-21-06)
Alexandra Kotcheff • Fr. • OF •5-8 •Los Angeles, CA • The Marlborough School
2006: Stepped in as Notre Dame’s starting centerfielder from day one … will be out indefinitely after suffering a hand injury in game one at Syracuse … steady on defense while finding her way offensively in 2006 … has seen action in both the second and ninth spot in the Irish batting order … has consistently produced since shifting to the second spot during spring break … posted first multiple hit game of her career vs. Northern Iowa, going two for two with two RBI and two runs scored … logged the first extra-base hit of her career at CS Fullerton, drilling a triple to the leftfield wall … moved up to second in the lineup against Florida State and paid instant dividends, providing the game-winning RBI single up the middle in Notre Dame’s 1-0 victory over the Seminoles … also had an RBI single vs. #4 Texas … three for four with three singles in game two at Western Michigan … her single up the middle in the top of the eighth would have loaded the bases with one out, but was misplayed by the Bronco centerfielder and both Irish runs in the 2-1 victory scored on the play … ended up two for five and scored the game-winning run in Notre Dame’s 1-0, 11-inning victory over Bowling Green … singled with one out in the bottom of the 11th and scored from first base on a double by Mallorie Lenn … three for three in game one vs. Connecticut with two runs scored … two for three with an RBI and run scored in game one vs. Providence … with the scored tied at 0-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning in game two with Eastern Michigan, doubled to lead off the inning and eventually scored the game-winning run on an RBI single from teammate Meagan Ruthrauff … one for two with a double in game one at Syracuse before leaving the contest after injuring her hand sliding into second base.
Katie Laing • So. •2B • 5-4 • Chandler, AZ • Corona del Sol H.S.
Career: Has been a starter at second base for the past two seasons … tied the school record for single-season doubles (also held by current assistant coach Lizzy Lemire) with 17 in 2005 and is threatening that record again in `06 with 15 doubles so far … 2005 First-Team All-BIG EAST … 2005 NFCA Second Team All-Mideast Region … capable of hitting for both average and power … possesses great range at second base and is a consistent performer on defense.
2006: Two for two with a run scored, walk and stolen base against BYU … ended up two for four with a run scored and double against UNLV … also two for three with an RBI in game one against Florida International … showed signs of breaking out of her season-long slump against CS Fullerton, crushing her first home run of the season to highlight a one for three performance … two for three with a double against #10 Arizona State … finished one for three with a two-run home run against #4 Texas at the Judi Garman Classic … has shown signs of breaking out of her season-long slump since the beginning of the BIG EAST season … two for three with a double, triple and three RBI in game one vs. Connecticut (9-0 Irish victory) … drove in three more runs and finished two for three in game two vs. Providence … three for for five with a run scored in the doubleheader vs. Eastern Michigan … two for five in game two at Syracuse, including two doubles and one RBI … doubled to lead off the top of the 10th inning against the Orange and scored the game-winning run on teammate Carrisa Jaquish’s home run … finihsed two for five with a run scored in game two at Pittsburgh … two for three with a two-RBI triple and double vs. Ball State (6-0 Irish victory) … chipped in two hits and an RBI in the doubleheader sweep of DePaul (two for six overall) … one for three with a double and RBI vs. Toledo … moved up to the top of the lineup to sub for leadoff hitter Stephanie Brown vs. Rutgers … ended up three for three in game two against the Scarlet Knights with two doubles and two runs scored … one for four with an RBI double in the first inning during game one against Purdue … doubled in her first two at bats against Valparaiso, driving in three runs and finishing the game two for four … three for four with three singles and a run scored in game one at USF … two for four with an RBI single and run scored in game two against USF … one for four with an RBI single in game two at #21 Louisville .. finished two for three with two runs scored and an RBI double vs. Loyola Chicago … cranked a three-run home run in the first inning of game one at Seton Hall, highlighting a two for four effort in the 4-3 Irish victory.
Sophomore 2B Katie Laing.
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Mallorie Lenn • Sr. • C •5-8 •Garden Grove, CA • Pacifica H.S.
Career: Has been a top option at starting catcher for the Irish since her freshman season … has achieved career-high numbers across the board offensively and defensively this season … a streaky hitter who has proven to be a tough out in postseason competition … missed Notre Dame’s key weekend at USF and Louisville due to a death in the family … second all-time in Notre Dame history for put outs (1,260 currently) … also ranks in the all-time top 10 at Notre Dame in home runs (seventh, 20) and RBI (10th, 107) … 2004 First-Team All-BIG EAST … 2003 Second-Team All-BIG EAST … 2003 BIG EAST All-Rookie Team.
2006 Awards:
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (4-23-06)
2006: Has developed into a consistent RBI producer in the heart of Notre Dame’s batting order … the first three home run she hit this season have been multi-run shots (grand slam, two two-run home runs) … crushed her first career grand slam in Notre Dame’s victory over BYU … ended up two for four with four RBI against the Cougars … finished one for two with two walks against CS Fullerton at the UNLV Desert Classic … finished three for seven in the doubleheader sweep at Cal Poly SLO … finished two for three with a two-run home run vs. #4 Texas … also launched a two-run home run vs. #6 Alabama at the Judi Garman Classic … drilled a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 11th inning vs. Bowling Green, driving in Alexandra Kotcheff with the game-winning run … finished two for three with three runs batted in and one double in game two vs. Providence (8-0 Irish victory) … finished three for three in game one against Pittsburgh … wrapped up the doubleheader against Pitt five for six at the plate with three runs scored, two RBI and three walks … two for three with a double and run scored vs. Ball State … broke game one against DePaul open with a two-RBI double in the fifth inning to put the Irish ahead to stay 2-0 … singled and scored in game two and tacked on a big insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run (her fourth of the season) … finished the DePaul doubleheader three for seven with three RBI and two runs scored … three for four with an RBI double at #17 Northwestern … three for thre with two runs scored and solo home run in game one against Rutgers … followed up with four RBI in game two against Rutgers, one on a fielder’s choice, two on and RBI double and one on a sacrifice fly … named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll for the first time in her career on Monday, April 23, hitting .474 during the week with seven RBI, two doubles and a home run … continued her hot hitting in game one against Purdue, hitting a solo home run in the third inning … came back in game two against the Boilers to go twofor three with an RBI double … missed five games for the Irish (DH at USF and at Louisville, single game vs. Loyola Chicago) due to a death in the family … returned to the lineup and delivered, driving in the eventual winning run with an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning during game one at Seton Hall … one for four with a solo home run and sacrifice fly in game two at St. John’s.
Stephanie Mola • Fr. •OF •5-5 •Naples, FL •St. John Neumann H.S.
2006: Provides the Irish with depth in the outfield and a left-handed bat off the bench … consistent at putting the ball in play as a pinch hitter … made her first career appearance of the season against BYU (one AB) … game off the bench in a key situation against #10 Arizona State … led off the bottom of the seventh inning by reaching on a fielding error at third base and eventually scored on Stephanie Brown’s walk-off two-run home run … logged her first career hit in her first career start (at designated player) in game two at Western Michigan … started her first career game in the defensive lineup against Bowling Green, finishing 0-3 … started in the outfield in game two vs. Connecticut … with the scored tied in the bottom of the eighth 1-1, singled and eventually scored the winning run on teammate Mallorie Lenn’s RBI double … posted first multiple hit game of her career at Syracuse in game two, going two for five with a run scored … finished the doubleheader at Pittsburgh two for seven with her first career RBI in game one … two for three with two singled in game one at St. John’s … one for three with a run scored in game two against the Red Storm.
Freshman OF Stephanie Mola.
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Beth Northway • Fr. • INF/OF •5-7 •Kentwood, MI •East Kentwood H.S.
2006: Working back into the lineup from offseason shoulder surgery … could see action in the outfield or infield once she returns to full strength … has made 30 pinch running appearances, scoring eight runs … posted her first at bat in game two at Pittsburgh … also received an at bat against Villanova in game one, coming through for her first career hit (a single to shortstop) and RBI … added another pinch hit single to lead off the top of the sixth inning in game two at Louisville.
Meagan Ruthrauff • Sr. • 1B/3B • 5-10 • La Mirada, CA •La Serna H.S.
Career: Started third season as Notre Dame’s first base … … has shifted over to Notre Dame’s starting third base since the end of Spring Break and performed well in the field … has also seen time at DP, third base and shortstop during her career … Notre Dame career leader in walks with 108 … also ranks in the top 10 all-time in RBI (third, 155), home runs (fourth, 29), doubles (third, 46) and put outs (seventh, 809) … 2003, 2004 First-Team All-BIG EAST … 2005 Second-Team All-BIG EAST … 2003 BIG EAST All-Rookie Team … 2004 NFCA Second Team All-Mideast Region … 2003 NFCA First Team All-Mideast Region … 2004 FSU Invitational All-Tournament Team … finished her BIG EAST career second on the all-time walks list behind Seton Hall’s Laura Taylor (47 from 2002-05) with 46 … finished tied for fourth on the BIG EAST career list for RBI with 62, sharing fourth place with UConn’s Karin Muller (1994-97).
2006: A key contributor for the Irish both on offense and defense … has made a successful switch to third base after starting the first 21 games of the season at first base … earned three walks against BYU … two for four with two double sand two RBI at UNLV … hit first home run of the season against CS Fullerton … one for three with an RBI and walk in game two against Florida International … crushed a three-run home run in the top of the first inning vs. Northern Iowa … two for four with an RBI single and double vs. Kansas … two for three with a solo home run vs. #10 Arizona State, keying Notre Dame’s eventual 3-2 upset victory … drew two intentional walks in RBI situations against Bowling Green … one for two with an RBI double in game one vs. Connecticut … two for three in game one vs. Eastern Michigan … exploded for nine hits and 10 RBI on Notre Dame’s BIG EAST trip to Syracuse and Pittsburgh, earning the fifth BIG EAST Player of the Week award from the conference office … one for two with and RBI and two walks (one intentional) at Syracuse in game one … finished two for three with a run scored and RBI (along with two intentional walks) and a home run in game two at Syracuse … two for three with two runs scored and RBI and solo home run in game one at Pittsburgh … broke two Notre Dame long-standing records in game two at Pittsburgh … became the first Irish player to hit three home runs in a single game, going four for five with seven RBI … the seven RBI also set a school record for a single game … scored three runs in the contest and hit home runs to all three fields (left, center and right) … finished the weekend nine for 13 at the plate in BIG EAST play, scoring six runs and driving in 10 … also was walked intentionally three times during the week … two for three with an RBI single in game one against DePaul (5-0 Irish victory) … two for three with two runs scored in Notre Dame’s 5-0 win over Toledo … kick started Notre Dame’s three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning in game one against Villanova with a solo home run to centerfield – the Irish eventually won the game 8-7 … one for three with a two-RBI double in game two against Villanova … combined with Mallorie Lenn to hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning against Rutgers in game one, leading to an 8-0, eight-run rule victory … finished game one vs. Rutgers three for three with two runs scored and two RBI … torched Purdue pitching in game one, going four for four at the plate with two runs scored, two doubles and two RBI … the game one performance against Purdue was her second four-hit game of the year … two for four with two RBI and a run scored at Valparaiso … one for four with an RBI single in game one at USF … followed up by going two for three in game two at USF with a run scored … two for four with an RBI single in the first inning of game one against #21 Louisville … finished the DH at #21 Louisville two for two with a HBP and BB.
2006 Awards:
BIG EAST Player of the Week (4-9-06)
Sara Schoonaert • Sr. •SS • 5-3 •Houston, TX •Clear Lake H.S.
Career: Third season as Notre Dame’s starting shortstop … consistent with the glove and starting to develop as an offensive threat in 2006 … 2005 Third-Team All-BIG EAST.
2006: Has been consistent at the plate and with the glove so far this season … two for four against BYU with a double, RBI and stolen base … two for two in game two against Florida International with a double, walk and stolen base … named to the adidas Golden Panther Invitational all-tournament team … two for four vs. #17 Nebraska … posted third three-hit performance of her career against Kansas, going three for three with an RBI double, run scored and walk … doubled and scored with one out in the top of the seventh inning against Stephen F. Austin, forcing the game into extra innings … one for three with an RBI and single in game one at Western Michigan … two for three with a double, RBI and run scored in game one vs. Connecticut … finished the Providence doubleheader four for six at the plate with a run scored … posted two hits in three consecutive games during BIG EAST play on April 8-9 … two for five with two RBI, a double and stolen base at Syracuse in game two … two for four with two RBI in game one at Pittsburgh … capped off the doubleheader at Pitt four for nine with a two for five performance in game two, scoring two runs … is currently adjusting to a move up the batting order to second with the injury loss of freshman Alexandra Kotcheff … one for two with a run scored and two sacrifice hits in game one against DePaul … one for three with a run scored in game two against the Blue Demons … two for three with two singles and an RBI in a 5-0 victory over Toledo … one for two with a run scored and sacrifice hit in game two vs. Villanova … two for three with a run scored in a game-one, 8-0 victory over Rutgers … two for three with a run scored vs. Loyola Chicago … posted her first career four-hit game in the second contest at Seton Hall, going four for four at the plate with four singles and an RBI … one for three with a walk and single in game two at St. John’s.
2006 Awards:
adidas Golden Panther All-Tournament Team
Best Western Airport Festival All-Tournament Team
Sarah Smith • So. • OF •5-7 • Oklahoma City, OK •Heritage Hall H.S.
2006: Returns as one of the team’s top baserunner threats … made her first career start in leftfield vs. Cal Poly SLO (game one) and posted her first career hit, finishing the game one for two … also started in leftfield for the Irish at CS Fullerton … picked up her third stolen base of the season vs. #4 Texas .. started in leftfield in game two vs. Eastern Michigan … also started in leftfield in game two against DePaul … started game two vs. Rutgers and logged her second hit of the year, a solid single to centerfield … picked up her first two-hit game of her career in game two against Purdue, going two for three with a run scored and RBI … was also one for three at Valparaiso.