April 25, 2004

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Notre Dame Baseball Gameday Notes – at Pittsburgh (April 25, 2004)

The fourth-ranked Notre Dame baseball team (32-5, 12-3) looks to remain among the BIG EAST leaders with a Sunday doubleheader at Pittsburgh (24-10, 8-4), with an early 11:00 a.m. start (10:00 in South Bend) to allow time for ND’s postgame departure … freshman RHP Jeff Samardzija and junior RHP Grant Johnson are the probable starters vs. the Panthers… Samardzija rejoined the Irish baseball team in Pittsburgh on Saturday night, after playing in the Blue-Gold football scrimmage (he capped a strong showinig during spring practice with a TD catch in the Blue-Gold Game) … ND’s day off from competition included the chance to attend Saturday night’s Cincinnati Reds-Pittsburgh Pirates game at PNC Park … ND owns a 20-4 series record vs. Pittsburgh(7-1 at Trees Field, 2-0 at Three Rivers Stadium) but the Panthers split a pair of doubleheaders at Eck Stadium in 2002 (7-5 Pitt win, 12-2 ND win) and in ’03 (5-2 ND win, 5-3 Pitt win) … one of the wildest games in the 10-year Paul Mainieri era remains a 2000 game at Eck Stadium in which the Panthers answered a furious Irish rally to win, 22-18 (ND’s Alec Porzel had 6 hits in that game, including traditional and inside-the-park HRs).

ND SPORTS HOTLINE TO PROVIDE HOURLY UPDATES – Fans are encouraged to call the ND Sports Hotline – (574) 631-3000 – for hourly updates from the Pittsburgh doubleheader (updates will be posted at approximately the top of each hour until the games are completed) … no livestats will be available due to the lack of phone lines – but ESPN 1580 still will be broadcasting via a cellphone comrex converter (also available at und.com).

IRISH QUICK NOTES – The Irish have won six of their last seven and 20 of their last 23 … freshman C Sean Gaston did not make the trip and is sidelined with mononucleosis … ND’s 32-6 record is all the more noteworthy when considering the absence of top pitchers John Axford and Jeff Manship (both out with season-ending elbow surgery), the fractured jaw suffered by All-America 2B Steve Sollmann (he has missed the last 15 games but could return soon), junior RHPs Grant Johnson gradual return from 2003 shoulder surgery, the recent absence of another top pitcher in fr. RHP Derik Olvey (out since late March with a sore forearm) and an early-season wrist injury that sidelined RF Cody Rizzo for several games and continues to affect his production … ND is 20-3 in all road games this season … one of the keys to ND’s season has been the Irish hitters’ margin of walks plus hit-by-pitch minus strikeouts … ND entered the SHU series +32 in that margin (only ASU’s +43 and Tennessee’s +40 were better, among the 30 teams ranked in the top-25 of at least one national poll) … ND’s struggles at SHU mirrored an off-day in the BB+HBP-K margin (-12, with 5 BB, 1 HBP and 18 Ks) … in the 4-2 loss to SHU, the Irish were -8 (HBP, 9 Ks) … ND entered the week as one of seven teams in the nation ranked in the top 30 for team batting avg. (27th, .319) and team ERA (20th, 3.51) … the Irish also ranked 12th in scoring at 8.9 runs per game … final BIG EAST standings are sorted by conference winning pct. (not “games back) – thus a 19-5 team would finish ahead of a 20-6 squad … most BIG EAST three-game series include one makeup day but the split doubleheaders (such as this weekend) do not have the makeup day available … some three-game series also do not have makeup days, due to scheduling conflicts such as final exams, graduation and the week leading up to the BIG EAST Tournament.

Jeff Samardzija Stats (season and game-by-game – see PDF)

Samardzija Quick Notes – his 0.84 ERA would rank 2nd in nation – behind Troy State’s Nate Moore (0.53) and ahead of Long Beach State’s Jered Weaver (1.00) – but he is just shy of the NCAA minimum requiring one inning pitched per team game (he has 32. IP, with ND playing 38 games) … Weaver (brother of big-leaguer Jeff Weaver) could be the top pick in the ’04 MLB draft … if Samardzija pitches a 7-inning complete game vs. the Panthers, he still would be two outs shy of the minimum (assuming ND plays second game) … ND’s first football/baseball two-sport athlete since CF Scott Sollmann (brother of current ND senior 2B Steve Sollmann) pulled double duty in the mid-1990s … suffered tough-luck loss in his first start of the season (2-1 vs. St. John’s) … logged 22.1 innings without allowing a run, for a shutout streak that spanned 10 outings (he did not allow an earned run for 24 innings).

Grant Johnson Career and 2004 Game-by-Game Stats (see PDF)

Johnson Quick Notes – has been eased back into full-time duty, while completing comeback from 2003 shoulder surgery … earned Freshman All-America honors and pitched for Team USA in 2002 … key member of that ’02 freshman class that was ranked #1 in the nation (per Baseball America) … his best outing came two weeks ago vs. St. John’s (7-1; 5 IP, 2 H, 3 Ks, HB) … his 1.89 season ERA would rank 22nd in the nation (min. 1 IP per team game).

NOTE: the below bio. sketches of ND’s regular position starters are listed in probable batting order and include bullet notes on each player … this information is best viewed via the PDF version, which includes additional data such as career and 2004 game-by-game stats for each player:

(1) #6 CF Danny Dressman (B:L) … Freshman … 5-9/175 … San Jose, CA/Archbishop Mitty HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – leads ’04 team in sacrifice bunts (5) while ranking 4th in walks (17) and 5th in doubles (7)

* BIG EAST Stats – hitting just .200 in BIG EAST action (8-for-40, 5 RBI, 8 R, 2 2B, 8 BB, 11 Ks, SF)

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 0-for-3 in split with the Pirates (K)

* Wednesday vs. Toledo – hit 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored (BB, K)

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit .400 (6-for-15) in the three games vs. the Hoyas (3 RBI, 4 R, 2B, 2 BB, 2 Ks)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – hit .389 (7-for-18, 6 RBI, 6 R, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 Ks, SF, SAC) while raising his season batting avg. from .235 to .262

* Recent Trends – saw his season-best 5-game hitting streak (9-for-22/.409, 5 RBI, 9 R, 2 2B, 3 BB, 3 Ks) end in opener at SHU

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit .211 (4-for-19, 5 RBI, 7 R, 2 2B, BB, 5 Ks, SF, SAC, SB)

* Position/Batting Order – all 27 of his starts have come in CF while batting either leadoff (13) or 2-hole (13) in 26 of his 27 starts (plus another start in the 9th spot)

* Site Survey – batting .244 outside of Eck Stadium (20-for-82, 12 RBI, 13 R, 4 2B, .351 on-base, 12 BB, 17 Ks, 2 SF, 4 SAC, SB) … batting .321 (68 points higher) at Eck Stadium (9-for-28, 5 RBI , 11 R, 3 2B, .394 on-base, 4 BB, 6 Ks, SF, SAC, SB)

* Owns 10 multi-hit games (4th on team) and 5 with multiple RBI

* Senior Season at Mitty HS: .402, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 15-15 SB, 21 BB

* Left-Coast Lounge – one of three California natives starting in Notre Dame’s 2004 outfield, with the others including sophomore LF Steve Andres (Napa) and sophomore RF Cody Rizzo (Temecula)

* Summer Ball – slated to play with the Fauquier Gators (based in Warrenton, Va.) in the Clark Griffith League during the summer of ’04 … freshman RHP Jess Stewart also is to play in the CGL, with Reston (Va.) Hawks.

* Parents Chuck and Diane (former ND tennis player) are Notre Dame graduates

Dressman’s Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct. .256 (11th)

w/ Runners in Scoring Position: .250 (11th); 4 2B, 6 BB, 8 Ks, 3 SAC, 3 SF

w/ Two Outs: .310 (6th); 7 two-out RBI (7th)

w/. Bases Loaded: .000/0-for-6 (11th); 4 RBI, BB

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 8-of-12/.667=”” (6th)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 0/50

(2) #5 SS Matt Macri (B:R) … Junior … 6-2/190 … Clive, IA/Dowling HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – leads ’04 team in slugging (.584), RBI (38), triples (3), total bases (80), stolen bases (5) and games started (35) … 2nd on team in on-base pct. (.455), home runs (6) and walks (24), 3rd in doubles (8) and games played (35), 4th in batting (.350).

* Among the BIG EAST Stat Leaders – entered SHU games ranked in 10 of 12 BIG EAST offensive categories (tied with Jeff Frazier of Rutgers for most of any player in the conference) … ranked 1st among BIG EAST players in triples (3) and runs (44), 2nd in RBI (38, behind Frazier’s 45), 3rd in total bases (80), 4th in slugging (.611), walks (23) and hits (48), 5th in home runs (6), 6th in on-base pct. (.468), 8th in hits (48) and 9th in batting avg. (.366) … the only BIG EAST categories in which he is outside the top 10 are doubles (8, two shy of that list) and stolen bases (5; four shy) … in conference games only, he ranked 1st in runs (18) and triples (2) and 6th in total bases (25).

* BIG EAST Stats – hitting just .276 (16-for-58) in ’04 BIG EAST games (7 RBI, 19 R, HR, 2 3B, 2 2B, 9 BB, 2 HBP, 17 Ks, SAC, 2 SB, E) … his 2003 BIG EAST regular-season stats: .259, 8 RBI, 13 R, HR, 2 3B, 8 2B, 11 BB, 21 Ks.

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 0-for-6 in split with the Pirates (R, BB, 2 Ks), after batting 3-for-5 on Wednesday vs. Toledo (2 R, HR, 2B)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – hit 3-for-6 in 2003 doubleheader split (5-2, 2-3) vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium (RBI, 3 R, 2B)

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit just .154 (2-for-13) in three games vs. the Hoyas (4 R, 3 BB, HBP, 6 Ks)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – hit .217 (5-for-23, RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, HBP, 8 Ks) while seeing his season batting avg. dip from .388 to .357

* Site Survey – batting just .258 (23-for-89) in ’04 games outside Eck Stadium (19 RBI, 21 R, .404 slugging, 2 HR, 3B, 5 2B, .359 on-base, .763 “OBS”, 12 BB, 2 HBP, 23 Ks, SAC, SB, 5 Es/.926) … batting team-best .521 (263 points higher than his road avg.) at Eck Stadium in ’04 (25-for-48, 19 RBI , 24 R, .917 slugging, 4 HR, 2 3B, 3 2B, .613 on-base, 1.530 “OBS”, 12 BB, HBP, 8 Ks, SF, 4 SB, 0 Es) … owns .462 career batting avg. at The Eck (61-for-132, 33 RBI, 6 HR in 42 GP) that is more than double his career road batting avg. (.223, 64-for-287, 53 RBI, 5 HR in 71 GP)

* Recent Trends -snapped out of 2-for-19 slump (.103) by batting 3-for-5 vs. Toledo earlier this week (now 5-for-32/.156 in last 8 GP)

* Position/Batting Order – has made all 35 of his starts at 3B … hit mostly in 6-spot (7 games) and 7-spot (8) earlier in the season before making 14 recent starts in the 2-hole, after injury to Steve Sollmann … also had made 4 starts batting 5th and 2 in 8-hole.

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit team-best .526 in 10-2 stretch (20-for-38, 11 RBI, 19 R, 2 HR, 2 3B, 2 2B, 9 BB, HBP, 6 Ks, 4 SB)

* Has posted 33 Error-Free games in 2004, including 17 straight (57 chances since E at WVU) and 24 of the last 25 … 4 of his 5 errors in ’04 came in pair of games vs. Texas-San Antonio … also posted 45 error-free games as Irish SS in ’03.

* ND Record Book Projection – as of midseason, on pace for 76 runs (in 64-game season), which would rank 4th in ND history behind Pat Pesavento (88 in ’89, 81 in ’88) and Dan Peltier (81 in ’89) … also could make push to become 10th all-time ND player with 90-plus hits in a season (midseason paceof 86 ), 9th with 70-plus RBI (66 pace) and 8th with 150-plus total bases (142 pace).

* Big day vs. Minnesota included career-high hits (4) plus 6 RBI and 5 R (both 1 shy of tying ND records) … 8th ND player known to have scored 5-plus runs in a game (3rd in ND record book to do so since 1901).

* All-Tournament at FAU Classic (.385, 5-for-13, 7 RBI, 7 R, HR, 3B, 2 BB) and Alamo City Irish Baseball Classic (.400, 6-for-15, BB, 3 RBI, 6 R, 2 2B)

* Team-best 13 Multi-Hit games, 10 Multi-RBI games (2nd to Matt Edwards’ 12)

* Rated nation’s #41 prospect among 2004 college juniors, per Baseball America (4th overall college infielder on that list)

Macri’s Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct. : .524 (2nd)

w/ Runners in Scoring Pos.: .389 (3rd); 2 3B, 4 2B, 10 BB, 2 HBP, 14 Ks, SF

w/ Two Outs: .310 (7th); 13 two-out RBI (2nd)

w/. Bases Loaded: .333/2-for-6 (7th); HBP, 7 RBI, 3B, 2B, K

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 9-of-13/.692=”” (4th)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 0/80

(3) #14 1B Matt Edwards (B:R) … Junior … 6-2/195 … Mechanicsville, VA/Justin Siena HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – leads ’04 team in RBI (38), games played (36) and started (34), also ranking 2nd in doubles (9) and total bases (68), 3rd in home runs (5), runs (30), hits (41), walks (21) and hit-by-pitch (7), 4th in on-base pct. (.425) and 5th in slugging pct. (.507).

* Among the BIG EAST Stat Leaders – entered SHU doubleheader ranked 3rd among BIG EAST players in RBI (38, behind RU’s Jeff Frazier’s 45), 5th in total bases (67), 7th in home runs (5) and 9th in walks (20) … also ranked 7th in RBI during conference games (11).

* BIG EAST Stats – hitting just .255 in ’04 BIG EAST games (14-for-55, 11 RBI, 10 R, 3 2B, 8 BB, 2 HBP, 13 Ks, SF, 2 SB) … his 2003 BIG EAST regular-season stats: .366, 26 RBI, 15 R, 3 HR, 3B, 6 2B, 10 BB, HBP, 14 Ks, 2 SB

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 1-for-5 in split with the Pirates (R, 2 BB, 2 Ks), after batting 2-for-4 on Wednesdy vs. Seton Hall (BB, 2B)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – hit 0-for-6 in 2003 doubleheader split (5-2, 2-3) vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium (dnp vs. Pitt in ’03 due to injury)

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit .417 (5-for-12) in three gamess vs. the Hoyas (4 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 4 Ks)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – hit .348 (8-for-23, 5 RBI, 10 R, 3B, 2 BB, 4 HBP, 5 Ks)

* Site Survey – 3rd on team with .357 batting outside Eck Stadium in ’04 (30-for-84, 23 RBI, 19 R, .560 slugging, 4 HR, 5 2B, .476 on-base, 1.036 “OBS”, 16 BB, 4 HBP, 15 Ks, SF, SB) … batting just .240 (127 points lower) at Eck Stadium in ’04 (12-for-50, 15 RBI , 11 R, .420 slugging, HR, 3B, 4 2B, .339 on-base, .759 “OBS”, 6 BB, 3 HBP, 10 Ks, 3 SF, SB, 2 Es/.986) .. hit combined .389 at Eck in ’02 and ’03.

* Recent Trends – went 3-for-4 vs. Oakland (4/14) to end month-long slump (.175, 11-for-63) that had knocked his batting avg. from .435 to .284 … raised his batting avg. 29 points (.284 to .313) after hitting 11-for-25 (.440) in his last 6 games (7 RBI, 10 R, 3B, 2B, 5 BB, 4 HBP, 7 Ks)

* Position/Batting Order – has made all 35 of his starts at 1B … the bulk of his ’04 starts have been as the ND 3-hole hitter (26), plus 4 as the cleanup batter (3 in 5th spot, single starts in 6th and 8th)

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit .270 (10-for-37, 13 RBI, 9 R, HR, 3B, 3 2B, 5 BB, 2 HBP, 9 Ks, 3 SF, SB)

* ND Record Book Projection – could make push to become 9th all-time ND player with 70-plus RBI in a season (68 pace), after team-leading 69 RBI in 2003

* Named Tournament MVP at FAU Classic (.417, 5-for-12, 2 BB, HBP, 4 RBI, 5 R, 2 HR, 2B) and Alamo City Irish Baseball Classic (.438, 7-for-16, 4 BB, 7 RBI, 4 R, HR, 2B) … first Mainieri-era player to homer in first AB of a season opener (’04 vs. San Diego State).

* Owns team-best 13 Multi-Hit games and 12 Multi-RBI games … has posted five 3-hit games (including 4 in first 13 games).

* His 2003 Honors included ABCA 2nd team all-region and 1st team all-BIG EAST.

* Returned in 2003 after suffering broken leg early in 2002 (at Round Rock, Texas); prep SS who split time at 3B and 1B with the Irish in ’03.

Edwards’ Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct. : .323 (9th)

w/ Run. in Scoring Pos.: .327 (6th); 2 HR, 6 2B, 8 BB, HBP, 10 Ks, 2 GDP, 4 SF

w/ Two Outs: .351 (3rd); 15 two-out RBI (1st)

w/. Bases Loaded: .500/1-for-2 (4th); 5 RBI, 2B, BB, SF

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 14-of-17/.824=”” (1st)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 5/75

(4) #12 DH Matt Bransfield (B:R) … Sophomore … 6-1/200 … Englewood, CO/Cherry Creek HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – leads ’04 team in home runs (8) while ranking 3rd in slugging pct. (.573), RBI (33), hit-by-pitch (7) and total bases (63), 4th in games played (34), and 5th in hits (34) and games started (28).

* BIG EAST Stat Leaders – Entered SHU doubleheader ranked 3rd among BIG EAST players in home runs (8, behind Pittsburgh’s P.J. Hiser’s 12 and 9 from Jeff Frazier of Rutgers) … also 5th among BIG EAST players in RBI (31) and slugging pct. (.592) … in BIG EAST games only, he ranked 1st among the conference’s players in HRs (3) and RBI (16), 3rd in total bases (27) and runs (13), and 6th in hits (17) – with only 6 players ranked in more categories (including 6 by teammate Steve Andres).

* BIG EAST Stats – batting .316 in ’04 BIG EAST play (18-for-57, 18 RBI, 13 R, 3 HR, 2 2B, 6 BB, 3 HBP, 10 Ks)

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 1-for-7 in split with the Pirates (2 RBI, 2B, 2 Ks), after going 0-for-4 on Wed. vs. Toledo (BB, 2 Ks)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – hit 0-for-0 with an RBI in 2003 doubleheader split (5-2, 2-3) vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit .385 (5-for-13) in three games vs. the Hoyas (7 RBI, 6 R, 2 HR, 3 BB, HBP, K)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – hit .333 (7-for-21, 9 RBI, 9 R, 2 HR, 2B, 6 BB, 2 HBP, 2 Ks)

* Site Survey – batting .259 in ’04 games outside Eck Stadium (15-for-58, 15 RBI, 9 R, .448 slugging, 3 HR, 3B, 2 2B, .368 on-base, .816 “OBS”, 6 BB, 4 HBP, 11 Ks) … batting .365 (90 points higher) at Eck Stadium (19-for-52, 18 RBI , 16 R, .712 slugging, 5 HR, 3 2B, .459 on-base, 1.171 “OBS”, 6 BB, 3 HBP, 6 Ks)

* Recent Trends – hitting just 2-for-15 with 0 RBI in his last 4 games (R, 2 BB, 2B, 5 Ks), after 2-HR game at GU that capped 7-RBI effort in doubleheader vs. the Hoyas (4-for-9)

* Position/Batting Order – has made 27 of 29 starts at DH (plus LF and 3B) … has made 12 starts as cleanup hitter while 6 of his starts have come at both the 6th and 7th spots (plus 2 each in 3rd and 5th spots and single start batting 8th).

* 12-Gm Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit .390 (16-41, 14 RBI, 14 R, 3 HR, 3 2B, 4 BB, 3 HBP, 4 K)

* Oh Boy! OBS – owns a .984 combined on-base (.411) and slugging pct. (.573) … the best single-season OBS in ND history was posted by All-American Dan Peltier in 1989 (1.295).

* Part of Sophomore Class Fantastic Five that includes (all stats prior to SHU games) LF Steve Andres (.349), SS Greg Lopez (.369), RF Craig Cooper (.349) and CF/RF Cody Rizzo (.315) … those five have combined to bat .342 (165-for-483) in the 2004 season, with 117 RBI, 20 HR, 3 3B, 25 2B, 129 R, 62 BB/78 Ks, 22 HBP and 14 SB.

* Owns 9 Multi-Hit games (5th on team) and 9 Multi-RBI games (3rd on squad)

* Summer Ball – slated to play alongside teammate Scott Bickford with Waynesboro Generals of Shenedoah Valley League in summer of ’04 … hit .381 with 12 HRs while playing Colorado Sox in summer of ’03

* Academic All-America candidate (3.34 cumulative GPA, as sociology major)

* One of several top prep QBs on 2004 ND team (also Matt Macri, Steve Andres, Mike Dury

Bransfield’s Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct. : .370 (8th)

w/ Runners in Scoring Pos.: .311 (9th); HR, 2 2B, 5 BB, 3 HBP, 7 Ks, 2 GDP

w/ Two Outs : .250 (9th); 7 two-out RBI (7th)

w/. Bases Loaded: .222/2-for-9 (10th); 6 RBI, 2 BB, K, GDP, SF

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 11-of-16/.688=”” (5th)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 4/69

(5) #36 LF Steve Andres (B:L) … Sophomore … 5-10/190 … Napa, CA/Justin Siena HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – leads ’04 team in walks (31) and on-base pct. (.512), also ranking 2nd in slugging pct. (.578), 3rd in home runs (5), and 5th in batting avg. (.333) and 5th in total bases (52).

* Among BIG EAST Leaders – entered SHU doubleheader ranked 2nd among BIG players in walks (31, behind RU’s Graig Badger’s 34) and on-base (.534, behind Badger’s .545), 3rd in slugging (.602, behind Pitt’s PJ Hiser’s .794 and RU’s Jeff Frazier’s .677) and 7th in home runs (5) … his 1.136 OBS (combined on-base and slugging) ranked 2nd among BIG EAST players, behind Hiser’s 1.234 … also ranked in six official categories for BIG EAST games, trailing only VT’s Sean O’Brien (8), Hiser (7) and Frazier (7) … owns a BIG EAST-leading .556 on-base pct. in conference play, also 2nd in walks (12, behind Badger’s 14) and slugging (.697, behind Hiser’s .788), 3rd in batting avg. (,394), 4th in HRs (2) and 7th in RBI (11) … he and Piser were the runaway leaders for OBS in BIG EAST play, with both at 1.253 (Hiser .465 OB).

* BIG EAST Stats – 2nd on team with .350 batting (14-for-40) in ’04 BIG EAST games (11 RBI, 9 R, 2 HR, 3B, 3 2B, .625 slugging, .500 on-base, 12 BB, 13 Ks, 2 SB, E) … his 2003 BIG EAST regular-season stats: .286, 7 RBI, 6 R, 9 BB, 2 HBP, 8 Ks , SF, SB

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 1-for-7 in split with the Pirates (2B, 3 Ks), after going 0-for-2 on Wed. vs. Toledo (2 BB, CS)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – hit 1-for-5 in 2003 doubleheader split (5-2, 2-3) vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium (RBI, K)

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit .600 (3-for-5) in two games vs. the Hoyas (3 RBI, 4 R, HR, 2B, 4 BB, 2 Ks) while batting .417 overall last week in 5 games vs. St. John’s, Oakland and GU (5-for-12, 3 RBI, 5 R, HR, 2B, .750 slugging, 5 BB, 5 Ks, SAC, E)

* Site Survey – batting .320 outside of Eck Stadium in ’04 (16-for-50, 13 RBI, 12 R, .600 slugging, 3 HR, 3B, 3 2B, .485 on-base, 1.085 “OBS”, 15 BB, 2 HBP, 16 Ks, 2 SB, 1 E/.889) … batting .350 at The Eck in ’04 (14-for-40, 22 RBI , 12 R, .550 slugging, 2 HR, 2 2B, .544 on-base, 1.094 “OBS”, 16 BB, HBP, 10 Ks, SAC, SB, 2 Es/.920) … hit just .205 at Eck Stadium (.269 overall) in 2003 (8-for-39, 11 RBI, 7 R, HR, 3B, 6 BB, 7 Ks)

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit .351 (13-for-37) with 8 RBI, 9 R, 2 HR, 2B, 12 BB, 10 Ks, SAC, SB, 2 Es

* Recent Trends – career-best (ND season-best) 13-game hit streak ended as pinch-hitter vs. SJU (0-for-1) … hits in 17 of last 20 games.

* Position/Batting Order – has made 20 of his 26 starts in LF (5 as DH, 1 at C) … has hit mostly in cleanup (7 games), 3-spot (6) and 5-spot (9), also making 2 starts as leadoff batter, 1 in 2-hole and 1 in 6-hole.

* Oh Boy! OBS – his offensive versatility includes a team-best 1.090 combined on-base (.512) and slugging pct. (.578) … the best single-season OBS in ND history was posted by All-American Dan Peltier in 1989 (1.295).

* ND Record Book Projection – on pace for 55 walks (in 64-game season), which would rank 3rd in ND history behind All-American Ryan Topham’s 63 in ’94 and Pat Pesavento’s 61 BB in 1989 … could become first ND player with 45-plus walks since Topham and Greg Layson (45) in 1994.

* Left-Coast Lounge – one of three California natives starting in ’04 ND outfield, (also fr. CF Danny Dressman/San Jose, soph. RF Cody Rizzo/Temecula)

* All-Tournament at Alamo City Classic (.462, 6-for-13, BB, 4 RBI, 3 R, HR, 2B)

* As Pinch-Hitter – has collected hits in 8 of his last 14 pinch-hit ABs with the Irish (8-for-20/.400 overall), including 4-for-9 in 2004 (2 RBI, HR, 2B, BB, K) …. the rest of the ’04 team is 1-for-29 in pinch-hit situations … was 4-for-11 as a 2003 pinch-hitter (ended freshman season 4-for-5 in pinch-hit ABs).

* Owns 5 Multi-Hit games and 6 Multi-RBI games (5th-most on squad)

* Part of Sophomore Class Fantastic Five that includes DH Matt Bransfield (.320), SS Greg Lopez (.369), RF Craig Cooper (.349) and CF/RF Cody Rizzo (.315) … those five have combined to bat .342 (165-for-483) in the 2004 season, with 117 RBI, 20 HR, 3 3B, 25 2B, 129 R, 62 BB/78 Ks, 22 HBP and 14 SB.

* Academic All-America candidate with 3.40 cumulative GPA as business major

* Summer Ball – slated to play with Solana in California League (summer ’04)

Andres’ Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct. :.520 (3rd)

w/ Runners in Scoring Pos.: .333 (4th); HR, 3B, 2B, 18 BB, 2 HBP, 10 Ks, SF

w/ Two Outs : .281 (8th); 9 Two-Out RBI (6th)

w/. Bases Loaded: .500/2-for-4 (4th); BB, 2 Ks, 3 RBI

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 4-of-9/.444=”” (11th)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 0/57

(6) #17 CF/RF Cody Rizzo (B:R) … Sophomore … 6-1/200 … Temecula, CA/Chaparral HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – leads ’04 team with 15 times hit-by-pitch, also ranking 4th in runs scored (29)

* BIG EAST Stats – 4th on team with .319 batting in ’04 BIG EAST action (15-for-47, 10 RBI, 11 R, .511 slugging, HR, 3B, 4 2B, 6 HBP, 7 Ks, 2 SF, SB, E) … his 2003 BIG EAST regular-season stats: .284, 14 RBI, 20 R, 2 HR, 3B, 3 2B, 6 BB, 10 HBP, 12 Ks, SB

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 2-for-7 in split with the Pirates (2 RBI, 2 R, HR, 2B, K), after batting 1-for-2 vs. Toledo (RBI, R, HR, HBP, E)

* Recent Trends – has hits in 5 of his last 6 games (7-for-19/.368, 6 RBI, 7 R, .790 slugging, 2 HR, 2 2B, 4 HBP, SB, SF, 2 Ks, E)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – hit 2-for-6 in 2003 doubleheader split (5-2, 2-3) vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium (3 R, 2B, BB)

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit 4-for-10 (.400) in three games vs. the Hoyas (3 RBI, 4 R, 2B, 3 HBP, K, SF, SB)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – raised his season batting avg. from .290 to .309 after hitting .389 vs. the Red Storm, Grizzlies and Hoyas (7-for-18, 4 RBI, 8 R, 3B, 2 2B, .611 slugging, BB, 4 HBP, .500 on-base, K, SAC, SF, SB)

* Site Survey – 2nd on team with .359 batting in ’04 games outside Eck Stadium (23-for-64, 10 RBI, 19 R, HR, 3 2B, .440 on-base, 10 HBP, 10 Ks, SF, 2 SB) … batting .219 (149 points lower) at Eck Stadium in ’04 (9-for-32, 6 RBI , 10 R, HR, 3B, 2B, .325 on-base, BB, 5 HBP, 4 Ks, 2 SF, SAC, 3 Es/.875) … his ’03 season included .300 batting at The Eck (1 HR, 27 R, 27 GP) and .324 on the road (3 HR, 26 R, 31 GP).

* Position/Batting Order – has split time between RF (19 starts) and CF (9) while batting mostly in the 5th (14 games) or 6th (9) spot in the batting order (plus 4 starts in 7-hole and 1 batting 9th)

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit .214 (9-for-28, 4 RBI, 9 R, 3B, 2B, BB, 4 HBP, 4 Ks, SF, SAC)

* ND Record Book – already owns the ND record for career hit-by-pitch (43, besting Craig DeSensi’s 38 from ’92-’95) while his 15 HBP in 2004 already are tied for the 2nd-most season HBPs in the ND record book (his 28 HBPs in ’03 broke Eric Danapilis’ old record of 15 HBPs in ’93) … the NCAA record for career HBP is 92 by San Francisco’s Tony Hurtado

* Part of Sophomore Class Fantastic Five that includes (all stats prior to SHU games) LF Steve Andres (.349), SS Greg Lopez (.369), RF Craig Cooper (.349), SS Greg Lopez (.369) and DH Matt Bransfield (.320) … those five have combined to bat .342 (165-for-483) in the 2004 season, with 117 RBI, 20 HR, 3 3B, 25 2B, 129 R, 62 BB/78 Ks, 22 HBP and 14 SB.

* Left-Coast Lounge – one of three California natives starting in 2004 ND outfield, with the others includiong sophomore LF Steve Andres (Napa) and freshman CF Danny Dressman (San Jose)

* Summer Ball – slated to play with North County team in Western League, during summer of 2004

* Owns 7 Multi-Hit games and 4 Multi-RBI games in 2004

* Prep soccer/baseball two-sport star

* Hit 8 home runs during 2003 fall ball

* High school catcher who has developed into stellar defensive OF (4 assists)

Rizzo’s Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct.: .636 (1st)

w/ Runners in Scoring Pos.: .294 (10th); 3B, 2 2B, 6 HBP, 7 Ks, SAC, 3 SF

w/ Two Outs: .206 (10th); 6 two-out RBI (9th)

w/. Bases Loaded: .600/3-for-5 (3rd); 8 RBI, 3 SF

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 7-of-9/.778=”” (2nd)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 0/51

(7) #15 C/2B Javi Sanchez (B:R) … Senior … 6-2/205 … Miami, FL/Christopher Columbus HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – 2nd on ’04 team in hit-by-pitch (9), also 3rd in doubles (8), 4th in hits (38), games played (34) and games started (34), and 5th in RBI (23) and runs (27)

* BIG EAST Stats – hitting .294 in ’04 BIG EAST action (15-for-51, 10 RBI, 10 R, 4 2B, 3 BB, 5 HBP, 8 Ks, SAC, 6 Es) … his 2003 BIG EAST regular-season stats: .205, 5 RBI, 13 R, 3B, 2B, 8 BB, 4 HBP, 5 Ks

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 0-for-4 in split with the Pirates (R, BB, HBP, 3 Ks, E), after batting 0-for-4 on Wed. vs. Toledo

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – hit 5-for-13 (.385) in ’02 and ’03 doubleheader splits vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium (RBI, R, 2B, 2 BB, 2 Ks)

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit .417 (5-for-12) in three games vs. the Hoyas (4 RBI, 3 R, 2B, 2 HBP, 2 Ks)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – hit .318 (7-for-22, 5 RBI, 6 R, 2 2B, BB, 2 HBP, 2 K, SAC, SB, 2 E)

* Site Survey – batting .289 in ’04 games outside Eck Stadium (22-for-76, 13 RBI, 15 R, HR, 5 2B, 9 BB, 7 HBP, 15 Ks, SF, SAC, 4 Es/.972) … batting .327 in ’04 games at Eck Stadium (16-for-49, 10 RBI ,12 R, 3 2B, 4 BB, 2 HBP, 2 Ks, SAC, SB, 4 Es/.946) … his career batting avg. is 44 points higher on the road (.306, 103-for-337, 6 HR, 51 R, 52 RBI in 75 GP) than at Eck Stadium (.262, 61-for-233, HR, 58 R, 26 RBI in 92 GP), with 6 of his 7 HRs coming outside Eck Stadium

* Recent Trends – had hits in 14 of 16 games before going hitless vs. Toledo and at SHU (0-for-8 combined)

* Position/Batting Order – has made most of his starts behind the plate (26), plus 3 at DH and 4 at 2nd base (subbing for injured Steve Sollmann) … also had solid start at 3rd in early-season game vs. Penn State … the bulk of his starts have bean as the cleanup hitter (15) or 6-hole batter (9), also making starts in the 3rd (4), 5th (2) and 7th (4) spots.

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit .366 (15-for-41, 10 RBI, 12 R, 3 2B, 4 BB, 2 HBP, 2 Ks, SAC, SB)

* Owns 8 Multi-Hit games and 6 Multi-RBI games (both 5th-most 3rd on squad)

* Serves as 2004 team tri-captain alongside senior 2B Steve Sollmann and junior RHP Chris Niesel

* 2003 BIG EAST Tournament MVP (8-for-11, 4 BB, 4 SAC, 6 RBI, 5 R) and an NCAA Regional All-Tournament pick (6-for-15, 2 RBI, 4 R)

Sanchez’s Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct.: .243 (10th)

w/ Run. in Scor. Pos.: .422 (1st); 4 2B, 4 BB, 4 HBP, 3 Ks, 2 GDP, 2 SAC, SF

w/ Two Outs: .395 (1st); 11 two-out RBI (3rd)

w/. Bases Loaded: .500/4-for-8 (4th); 7 RBI, BB, GDP

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 10-of-14/.714=”” (3rd)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 2/67

(8) #7 2B Zach Sisko (B:L) … Senior … 6-2/205 … Belleville, IL/St. Louis University HS

* 2004 Team Ranks -stands 3rd on ’04 team in batting avg. and ranking 5th in on-base pct. (.423)

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 1-for-6 in split with the Pirates (RBI, 3 Ks)

* Wednesday vs. Toledo – hit 4-for-5 with 2 runs scored (2B, CS), giving him a .650 batting avg. in the last 5 games (11-for-20, 9 RBI, 7 R, HR, 2B, BB, 3 Ks, SF, 2 SAC, 2 Es)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – has never played vs. the Panthers

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit .500 (5-for-10) in three games vs. the Hoyas (6 RBI, 3 R, grand-slam HR, K, SF, 2 SAC, CI, 2 Es)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – 2nd on team with .467 batting in 4 GP (7-for-15, 9 RBI, 5 R, HR, BB, 3 Ks, SF, 2 SAC, 2 Es)

* Position/Batting Order – has made 12 of his starts 2B (another at 3B) while batting mostly 8th (8) and 9th (3) in the batting order, plus single starts as leadoff and 2-hole hitter

* High School Reunion – joins senior LHP Joe Thaman and freshman RHP Rico Bertucci as three players on 2004 ND roster who are products of St. Louis University HS

(9) #4 SS Greg Lopez (B:R) … Sophomore … 6-0/185 … Upper Arlington, OH/Upper Arlington HS

* 2004 Team Ranks – leads ’04 team in batting avg. (.365), doubles (10), sac. bunts (5), games played (37) and games started (35), also ranking 2nd in runs (31) and hits (46), 3rd in on-base pct. (.432) and hit-by-pitch (7), and 4th in total bases (62) and RBI (29)

* Among the BIG EAST Stat Leaders – Entered SHU doubleheader ranked 7th among BIG EAST players in batting avg. (.373), plus 6th in RBI (29), runs (31) and doubles (10), and 8th in hits (45) … only 5 players were ranked in more of the 12 BIG EAST overall categories: RU’s Jeff Frazier (10) and Graig Badger (8), ND teammate Matt Macri (10), and Pitt’s Ben Copeland (8) and PJ Hiser (7) … in conference games only, he ranked 5th in doubles (4), 6th in batting (.370) and hits (17), and 8th in runs (10).

* BIG EAST Stats – 2nd on team with .360 batting in ’04 BIG EAST action (18-for-50, 6 RBI, 10 R, 4 2B, 4 BB, HBP, 7 Ks, 2 SAC, 2 SB, 6 Es) … his 2003 BIG EAST regular-season stats: .271, 10 RBI, 9 R, 2B, 4 BB, HBP, 5 Ks, 6 SAC, SB

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 1-for-4 in split with the Pirates (BB, 3 Es)

* Wednesday vs. Toledo – hit 1-for-4 with 1 RBI (R, E)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – hit 1-for-5 in 2003 doubleheader split (5-2, 2-3) vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium (RBI, R, 2 BB)

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit .417 (5-for-12) in three games vs. the Hoyas (3 RBI, 2 R, HBP, 2 Ks, E)

* Site Survey – batting team-best .402 (33-for-82) in ’04 games outside Eck Stadium (20 RBI, 21 R, 2 HR, 6 2B, 5 BB, 7 HBP, 12 Ks, 2 SF, 3 SAC, 3 SB, 9 Es/.923) … batting .295 (107 points lower) at Eck Stadium in ’04 (13-for-44, 9 RBI, 10 R, 4 2B, 5 BB, 6 Ks, SF, 2 SAC, 5 Es/.926) … hit .263 at Eck Stadium in 2003 season (19 RBI) and .232 in ’03 games outside The Eck (7 RBI)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – earned BIG EAST player of the week after batting team-best .526 (10-for-19, 6 RBI, 4 R, 2B, BB, HBP, 3 Ks, SAC, 2 Es)

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – hit .273 (9-33, 11 RBI, 8 R, 2 2B, 4 BB, 6 Ks, SF, 2 SAC)

* Recent Trends – has yet to go hitless in three straight ’04 games, with only two stretches of back-to-back hitless games.

* Position/Batting Order – all 35 of his starts have come at SS while batting mostly 8th (22), plus 12 starts as the 9-hole hitter and a single start in the 5-hole

* Great Glove Man – has posted 26 error-free games in 2004 while making multiple errors just twice (3 vs. UTSA, 2 in first game at SHU)

* Owns 13 Multi-Hit games (3rd-most on team) and 7 Multi-RBI games (4th on squad)

* Part of Sophomore Class Fantastic Five that includes (all stats prio to SHU games) LF Steve Andres (.349), DH Matt Bransfield (.320), RF Craig Cooper (.349) and CF/RF Cody Rizzo (.315) … those five have combined to bat .342 (165-for-483) in the 2004 season, with 117 RBI, 20 HR, 3 3B, 25 2B, 129 R, 62 BB/78 Ks, 22 HBP and 14 SB.

* Summer Ball – slated to return to Delaware (Ohio) Cows, of the Great Lakes League, in summer of 2004

Lopez’s Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct. : .400 (5th)

w/ Run. in Scor. Pos.: .400 (2nd); 4 2B, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 8 Ks, GDP, 3 SAC, 3 SF

w/ Two Outs: .326 (5th); 11 two-out RBI (3rd)

w/. Bases Loaded: .333/2-for-6 (8th); 5 RBI, 2B, 2 BB, 2 Ks, GDP, SF

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 12-of-20/.600=”” (8th)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 4/78

#9 RF/LF Craig Cooper (B:R) … Sophomore … 6-2/105 … Plainview, NY/Chaminade Prep

* 2004 Team Ranks – entered SHU doubleheader ranked 2nd on ’04 team in batting avg. (.356), plus 4th in slugging pct. (.567; 8th BIG EAST) and 5th in home runs (4)

* BIG EAST Stats – leads team with batting .367 batting in ’04 BIG EAST action (11-for-30, 3 RBI, 8 R, 5 BB, 6 Ks, SB, E) … his 2003 BIG EAST regular-season stats: .345, 4 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB, 2 HBP, 5 Ks, 2 SB

* Friday at Seton Hall – hit 2-for-4 while playing second game in split with the Pirates (R, 2B, K)

* Wednesday vs. Toledo – hit 1-for-1 off the bench (HBP)

* Career vs. Pittsburgh – did no play in 2003 doubleheader split (5-2, 2-3) vs. the Panthers at Eck Stadium

* Last Weekend at Georgetown – hit 2-for-5 in three games vs. the Hoyas (1 GS, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB)

* Last Week (SJU, OAK, GU) – hit .333 in 6 GP/4 GS (4-for-12, 4 RBI, 2 R, BB)

* Site Survey – batting .300 in ’04 games outside Eck Stadium (15-for-50, 10 RBI, 10 R, .400 slugging, 5 2B, .357 on-base, .757 “OBS”, 5 BB, 6 Ks, SF, 2 SAC, 2 SB) … batting .425 (2nd-best on team and 142 points higher than his road batting) in ’04 games at Eck Stadium (17-for-40, 12 RBI , 10 R, .775 slugging, 4 HR, 3B, .489 on-base, 1.264 “OBS”, 4 BB, HBP, 6 Ks, 3 SB, 1 E/.941) … his freshman season in 2003 included a better road batting avg. (.325, 12 RBI) than at home (.256, 3 RBI)

* 12-Game Homestand (3/31-4/14) – ranked 2nd on team with .429 batting in 10-2 stretch (15-for-35, 12 RBI, 10 R, 4 HR, 3B, 4 BB, 6 Ks, 3 SB)

* Recent Trends – hit 4 HRs in 6-game stretch (March 31-April 10, vs. WMU, Hillsdale, Chicago State and Valpo) but has not homered in his last 9 games.

* Position/Batting Order – has made 7 starts in LF and 14 in RF while batting anywhere from leadoff (3) to the 9-hole (8), plus starts in the 2nd (2), 6th (2) and 7th (6) spots

* Owns 7 Multi-Hit games and 6 Multi-RBI games (5th-most on squad)

* Part of Sophomore Class Fantastic Five that includes (all stats prior to SHU games) LF Steve Andres (.349), SS Greg Lopez (.369), DH Matt Bransfield (.320) and CF/RF Cody Rizzo (.315) … those five have combined to bat .342 (165-for-483) in the 2004 season, with 117 RBI, 20 HR, 3 3B, 25 2B, 129 R, 62 BB/78 Ks, 22 HBP and 14 SB.

* Summer Ball – slated to play for the Cape Cod League’s Brewster Whitecaps during the summer of 2004 … hit .337 during the summer of ’03 with the Hays (Kan.) Larks of the Jayhawk League (24 SB, 38 RBI, 5 HR, 5 3B)

Cooper’s Situational Hitting (Rank Among ND’s Top 11 Regulars)

Leadoff On-Base Pct. : .350 (7th)

w/ Runners in Scoring Position: .333 (5th); HR, 2B, 3 BB, HBP, 4 Ks, GDP, SF

w/ Two Outs: .367 (2nd); 11 two-out RBI (3rd)

w/. Bases Loaded: .625/5-for-8; HR, 2B, 2B, BB

RBI w/. Runner on 3rd < 2=”” outs:=”” 6-of-11/.545=”” (9th)=””>

Grounded Into DP/ABs w Runners on: 2/45