March 7, 2004
The University of Notre Dame softball team (12-6) grabbed its second victory of the day at the FAU/Worth Invitational on Sunday evening, defeating the host team Florida Atlantic 2-0 behind a complete-game one-hitter from sophomore righthander Heather Booth. The Irish will remain in Florida to train over spring break before taking part in Florida State’s Seminole Classic next weekend.
Booth’s shut out follows up her starting partner, junior Steffany Stenglein’s complete game shut out in the first game of the day vs. North Carolina.
The Irish got two big hits from two of the team’s formerly slumping hitters, as Mallorie Lenn posted an RBI double and Sara Schoonaert came through with an RBI single to represent both of Notre Dame’s runs in the game. Both Lenn and Nicole Wicks had two hits in the game, while Wicks scored both of the Irish runs.
Notre Dame was designated as the home team, although the Irish were up against the host team of the tournament on its home field. After a scoreless first inning, the Irish put a number on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second when Nicole Wicks posted a one out hit and scored on an RBI double by Mallorie Lenn. Carissa Jaquish drew a walk to put two runners on, but Sara Schoonaert bounced into a double play to end the inning.
The Irish tacked on another run when Nicole Wicks continued her hot hitting with a single through the left side. She moved to second on a ground out and eventually scored on an RBI single from Schoonaert.
While the Irish offense was starting to finally find its stride, starting pitcher Heather Booth was close to untouchable for the entire game – retiring 21 of 22 Owl batters she faced while striking out seven. Booth, the reigning BIG EAST pitcher of the week, also pitched well on Saturday in her loss to Florida International. She ended up allowing two runs on six hits – but three of those hits came in succession to drive in the game-tying and game-winning run. A single hit from Jenna Lopez in the sixth inning cost Booth a perfect game vs. Florida Atlantic.
NOTES: Sara Schoonaert’s RBI single signals a break out of her slump as the Irish starting second base was 0-29 until her big hit … Schoonaert was one of Notre Dame’s hottest hitters over the first two weeks of the season, but has struggled at the plate since then … Mallorie Lenn broke her own hitting drought in the first game of the day vs. North Carolina with a single, ending an 0-24 slump … Lenn eventually put up three hits in Notre Dame’s two games on Sunday … Notre Dame’s pitchers gave up just four hits on the day, striking out 13 batters along the way.