March 12, 2006
The University of Notre Dame softball team swept a doubleheader at Cal Poly SLO (9-16) to push its record to 9-7 in 2006. The Irish won game one 3-1, rallying for three runs in the top of the seventh inning, then claimed a 1-0 victory in game two.
Notre Dame received two big hits in the first game from junior Stephanie Brown and senior Sara Schoonaert. The Irish also saw their two top pitchers, senior Heather Booth and freshman Brittney Bargar, turn in solid pitching performances.
Brown drilled a two-out, two-run double in the top of the seventh inning in game one to push Notre Dame back from a 1-0 deficit to a 2-1 lead. Schoonaert then followed with an RBI single to drive in an insurance run.
Booth evened her record a 4-4 on the season with a complete-game performance, allowing five hits, one earned run and striking out eight.
In game two, Notre Dame scored its lone run on consecutive errors by Cal Poly shortstop Jackie Gehrke-Jones. Mallorie Lenn singled (one of her three hits on the day) and pinch runner Sarah Smith eventually scored when a ground ball off the bat of Alexandra Kotcheff was misplayed by Gehrke-Jones.
Bargar earned her second career shutout in game two with a solid seven-inning, six-hit effort. She struck out eight and pitched around three walks.
Softball’s Spring Break will continue on Wednesday, March 14, when the Irish begin the Judi Garman Classic against CS Fullerton.