January 28, 1999
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame softball team has been chosen to finish second in the BIG EAST in a preseason poll of conference coaches released Wednesday. The Irish, with three first-place votes, finished runner-up in the poll to Boston College, who received five votes. Notre Dame sophomore pitcher Jennifer Sharron (Agoura Hills, Calif.) and sophomore outfielder Lizzy Lemire (Irvine, Calif.) were also selected to the 1999 preseason all-BIG EAST team.
The Irish are coming off a 34-22 season in which they won their third straight BIG EAST South Division title. Sharron was the 1998 BIG EAST pitcher of the year and a first team and all-rookie selection after posting a 7-1 record and a 0.90 earned-run average in conference games. Lemire, meanwhile, earned second team all-BIG EAST honors and was one of three Notre Dame players on the BIG EAST all-rookie team after batting .321 overall.
Boston College placed four players on the preseason all-BIG EAST team including preseason pitcher of the year Mary Dietz, while Rutgers’ Angie Catalano took home the preseason player of the year award. The BIG EAST will be consolidating into one division this season with each team playing each other twice.
The Notre Dame softball team will begin its 1999 campaign in Tampa, Fla. at the Gladstones Tournament on Feb. 19.
1999 BIG EAST Preseason Awards/Poll
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Angie Catalano, Rutgers
PRESEASON PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Mary Dietz, Boston College
1999 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Boston College (5)
2. Notre Dame (3)
3. Rutgers (1)
4. Connecticut
5. Villanova
6. St. John’s
7. Providence
8. Seton Hall
9. Pittsburgh
1999 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
P Mary Dietz, Boston College P Jennifer Sharron, NDC Angie Catalano, RutgersIF Alison Hirsch, ConnecticutIF Chris Vicari, Boston CollegeIF Jessica Yanosy, ConnecticutIF Megan O'Leary, VillanovaOF Allyson Johnson, ConnecticutOF Lizzy Lemire, NDOF Jaime-Lyn Chmielowicz, Rut.
U Lauren Fischetti, Boston Coll.DP Jen Perotta, Boston College