May 13, 2004
The University of Notre Dame softball team (47-16) won its first game at the BIG EAST Championship, defeating Boston College (33-24) 4-1 in Syracuse, N.Y., on Thursday evening. The Irish move on to face Seton Hall at 3 p.m. Friday, while BC will take on Villanova (a 3-2 loss to SHU earlier on Thursday) in the tournament’s first elimination game at 5 p.m.
The story of Notre Dame’s victory on Thursday was a tale of two pitchers, one who grew stronger of the course of the game while the other headed in the opposite direction. Irish starting pitcher Heather Booth gave up four hits in the first three innings, but settled down to allow just two base runners over the final four innings. She took home the victory, scattering six hits, allowing an unearned run and striking out five.
Tekae Malandris played the role of Booth’s opposite, giving up just two hits over the first three innings, then allowing four in the next two innings (when Notre Dame exploded for four runs to take control of the contest). Malandris drops to 11-9 on the season, while Booth moves to 23-7.
The offensive star of the game for Notre Dame was its lone senior – Nicole deFau. Named to the all-BIG EAST first team earlier in the day for the first time in her career, deFau came through with a three for three performance against Boston College. One of her hits was a two-RBI triple in Notre Dame’s big inning, the fifth, when the team plated three runs.
GAME RECAP:
Boston College got on the scoreboard first in the second inning, taking advantage of a lead off hit and a throwing error by the Irish. Erin Mackey led off with a bloop single to centerfield, but was cut down when Elyse Meredith dribbled into a 6-4 fielder’s choice. Jenna Macchi followed with another 6-4 fielder’s choice, but Stephanie Brown’s attempt to turn the double play at first base was thrown wide for an error. Macchi ended up at second base on the play.
BC staring pitcher Tekae Malandris, batting for herself in the game (she only had 15 at bats this season entering the tournament) took advantage of the opportunity presented her with a single up the middle. Ciolli’s throw home was just a second late and and Macchi slid in safely to give her team the first lead of the game 1-0. Booth struck out Kristin Allain (after falling behind 3-0) to end the inning.
After a one-two-three inning in the second for Notre Dame (although Liz Hartmann came extremely close to hitting a towering home run down the leftfield line – it was called just foul), Booth escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the top of the third with a fielder’s choice and ground out back to the pitching circle.
The Irish offense finally started putting some things together when the line up turned around in the bottom of the fourth. Brown reached on a throwing error and advanced to second, diving in to reach safely when Boston College backed up the play quickly. Nicole deFau followed with a solid single through the left side to put runners at the corners.
Ciolli was due next and the recently crowned BIG EAST Player of the Year came through, grounding out to second base to drive in the tying run. DeFau moved to second on the ground out and remained there when Meagan Ruthrauff struck out on three pitches. Mallorie Lenn kept the inning alive by drawing a walk, which included a wild pitch to send deFau to third base. Hartmann was due and hit a ground ball up the middle, but Malandris was able to just get a piece of it with her leg. That enabled the ball to slow down enough for BC shortstop Macchi to move over, scoop up the ball and step on second for the force play.
Helped by Lenn throwing out an attempted steal, Booth worked a quick inning in the top of the fifth to get the Irish offense back in the batter’s box.
Nicole Wicks led off the fifth for Notre Dame with a single through the left side. Wisen then moved her over with a perfect sacrifice bunt, getting her to second base for pinch hitter Carissa Jaquish (hitting for Schoonaert). Wicks then baited a snap throw by the catcher, with BC’s Ashley Obrest attempting to throw behind her at second base. Wicks took off for third, however, and reached easily to get in scoring position.
Jaquish then drilled a ground ball to second base. Wicks was going on contact and avoided the throw home on a great slide, moving around the Obrest tag to put the Irish ahead 2-1. The Irish continued to roll when Brown singled deep into the left side hole. BC’s Macchi reached the ball, but made a late throw to second base which was also high. Schoonaert (who re-entered to run) reached third on the play with Brown taking second base.
Notre Dame’s lone senior, deFau, then came through by drilling a triple into the right-centerfield gap. That cleared the bases, driving in two runs and forcing Malandris out of the game.
GAME NOTES: A win on Friday advances the Irish to the BIG EAST Championship game on Saturday at 1 p.m. … a loss would put Notre Dame in an elimination contest against the winner of the Villanova – Boston College game at 7 p.m. on Friday … Stephanie Brown ended up one for three in the game with two runs scored … Carrie Wisen had a hit in her only plate appearance, while laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt in the other (she started the game at DP for Notre Dame) … Booth did not walk a single batter in seven innings … Irish head coach improves to 2-1 in her career on the first day of action at the BIG EAST Championship.