Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Jennifer Sharron Named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year

May 1, 1998

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame freshman pitcher Jennifer Sharron (Agoura Hills, Calif./Thousand Oaks H.S.) was named BIG EAST pitcher of the year at the pre-championship banquet Friday night. Also all-BIG EAST first team and rookie team selections, Sharron is the first freshman to win the award and the first Notre Dame pitcher to be named BIG EAST pitcher of the year since the Irish joined the conference in 1995-96.

BIG EAST South Division champion Notre Dame will play Connecticut on Saturday, May 2, at noon in its first game of the four-team double elimination BIG EAST championship, which is being held at Notre Dame’s Ivy Field. Defending champion and North Division champion Boston College and Rutgers will play in the opening game at 10:00 a.m.

Sharron led the conference with a 0.90 ERA and was second in wins with a 7-1 record, allowing only seven earned runs in 54.1 innings pitched. Overall she is 15-6 and 10-1 in her last 13 starts with a 0.53 ERA and 54 strikeouts. Opposing batters have hit just .207 against her this season.

Irish sophomore third baseman Lisa Tully (Garden Grove, Calif./Mater Dei) and freshman outfielder Danielle Klayman (San Diego, Calif./La Jolla) joined Sharron on the All-BIG EAST first team. Senior centerfielder Jenn Giampaolo (San Marino, Calif./Polytechnic) and freshman outfielder Lizzy Lemire (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge) were second team selections. Klayman, Lemire and Sharron were also named to the BIG EAST all-rookie team.

Notre Dame and Villanova led the All-BIG EAST first team with three selections each. The three Irish freshman led the five-player all-rookie team. Rutgers junior Angie Catalano was named BIG EAST player of the year and Boston College’s Jennifer Perrotta was rookie of the year and Jennifer Finley coach of the year.

1998 BIG EAST Softball Regular Season AwardsPitcher of the Year:  Jennifer Sharron, Notre DamePlayer of the Year:  Angie Catalano, RutgersRookie of the Year:  Jennifer Perrotta, Boston CollegeCoach of the Year:  Jennifer Finley, Boston College

All-BIG EAST First TeamPitcher: Mary Dietz, Boston CollegePitcher: Jennifer Sharron, Notre DameCatcher: Angie Catalano, RutgersInfielder: Chris Vicari, Boston CollegeInfielder: Lisa Tully, Notre DameInfielder: Melissa Valencia, St. John'sInfielder: Megan O'Leary, VillanovaOutfielder: Danielle Klayman, Notre DameOutfielder: Jaime-Lyn Chmielowicz, RutgersOutfielder: Mia Brickhouse, VillanovaUtility: Erin Layton, ConnecticutDesignated player: Kelli McCoy, Villanova
All-BIG EAST Second TeamPitcher: Lauren Fischetti, Boston CollegePitcher: Brenda Roach, VillanovaInfielder: Kelly Crosson, RutgersInfielder: Koren Melfi, RutgersInfielder: Jackie Pasquerella, VillanovaInfielder: Kelly Sparks, VillanovaOutfielder: Jenn Giampaolo, Notre DameOutfielder: Lizzy Lemire, Notre DameOutfielder: Jessica DeLuca, VillanovaUtility: Juliette Brooks, RutgersDesignated player: Jennifer Perrotta, Boston College
BIG EAST All-Rookie TeamSummer Jarratt, Boston CollegeDanielle Klayman, Notre DameLizzy Lemire, Notre DameJennifer Perrotta, Boston CollegeJennifer Sharron, Notre Dame