April 3, 2006

Freshman Brittney Bargar was named the BIG EAST Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday, April 3, after winning both her starts in conference play last week and helping the University of Notre Dame softball team (18-10) to a 4-0 start in league play. Bargar’s top highlight of the week was her performance against Connecticut, when the freshman righthander posted the first eight-inning no-hitter in Notre Dame softball history.

Bargar finished off her weekend with a victory over Providence, pitching five innings of Notre Dame’s six-inning 8-0 victory. For the week, Bargar allowed just two hits while striking out eight in 13 innings of work.

Junior Stephanie Brown was named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll on Monday as well. Brown piled up nine hits in five games last week, going seven for 13 in conference competition with two solo home runs and two stolen bases. Her solo shot in the sixth inning ended Notre Dame’s six-inning victory over Providence in game two on Sunday.

The Irish are currently in first place of the BIG EAST Conference standings, holding the same record as South Florida (4-0) in league play but edging the Bulls in overall winning percentage. Pittsburgh (7-1), Syracuse (7-1) and Louisville (3-1) round out the top five in the league standings.

Bargar is the first Irish player to earn a BIG EAST weekly award this season. Notre Dame will be back in action on Tuesday, April 4, with a doubleheader against Eastern Michigan set to begin at 4 p.m.