April 12, 2001
“Windy” is not an accurate description. The 11th-ranked University of Notre Dame softball team (34-2) braved 30 to 40 mile-per-hour winds at Ivy Field on Thursday to post its eighth consecutive doubleheader sweep with 8-0 and 6-0 victories over visiting Loyola University Chicago (8-14).
As the wind ripped through the field, Notre Dame’s pitching staff whipped through the Rambler batters. The Irish grudgingly surrendered five hits in both games, and now have given up just 13 hits over the past six games combined.
The Irish starting duo of All-American Jen Sharron and freshman phenom Kristin Schmidt helped lower Notre Dame’s team ERA to a minuscule 0.93. Schmidt had nine strikeouts in the second game, following Sharron’s 12 K performance in the opener.
A number of Notre Dame batters starred in the doubleheader, including leadoff hitter Jenny Kriech’s three-for six afternoon, and Jarrah Myers’ three-for-seven day including her fifth home run of the season in the second game.
Notre Dame’s one-through-four batters (Jenny Kriech, Dani Klayman, Melanie Alkire and Jarrah Myers) all went two-for-four in the first game, the last three each adding an RBI.
The Irish return to action Saturday, April 14, when BIG EAST Conference opponent Pittsburgh visits Ivy Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon and there will be an Easter egg hunt for any kids who attend the game.