April 2, 2008
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Three of the University of Notre Dame softball team’s six hits in Wednesday’s 2-1 non-conference win over Toledo came off the bat of senior Katie Laing, who also accounted for both of her squad’s runs with two RBI. The second baseman was a perfect 3-for-3 from the dish after posting her third homer of the season, one double, and an RBI single in the contest played at Ivy Field.
Notre Dame (18-10 overall, 1-1 BIG EAST) held Toledo to only two hits, riding the arms of Jody Valdivia and Brittney Bargar (13-6). Valdivia went the first 3.0 innings for the Irish and limited the Rockets (6-11 overall, 0-2 Mid-American) to one run on two hits with four strikeouts. Not a single batter reached base against Bargar in her 4.0 innings of work, as the junior fanned a pair of the 12 Rockets she faced.
It was a scoreless game through the first inning, then Toledo made its move in the top of the second by claiming a 1-0 lead. Alison Hess doubled to right-center and Valdivia retired the next two Rockets then walked Erica Singer. Whitney Erickson stepped in and dropped a single between three charging Irish defenders to score Hess from second. Notre Dame tied the contest in the bottom half of the frame with one swing of the bat when Laing belted the first pitch she saw over the left-center fence.
Laing’s second hit of the game came in the bottom of the third to score Sadie Pitzenberger, who bunted a lead-off single in front of the catcher to begin the inning. Pitzenberger stole second to move into scoring before Laing brought her home.
Back-to-back singles put Beth Northway and Brianna Jorgensborg on the pond in the fourth for the Irish with one out against them. But Pitzenberger popped up to second and Northway was doubled-off on the play to extinguish the threat.
Rocket starter Hannah Rockhold (1-3) went the distance and gave up two earned runs while passing out three walks in 6.0 innings.
The Irish resume BIG EAST play this weekend with doubleheaders at St. John’s (April 5) and Seton Hall (April 6). Live stats will be available at UND.com
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