April 10, 1997

Irish Offense Continues to Roll in Sweep of IUPUI

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – It was a case of more of the same, asNotre Dame’s offense continued to flex its muscle, taking aseven-inning doubleheader from visiting Indiana-Purdue atIndianapolis, 11-3 and 6-3, in non-conference baseball actionThursday at Eck Stadium

Notre Dame (21-12)–winners of 12 of its last 13–pounded out 13 hitsin the opening game and added eight more in the nightcap, giving theIrish 88 hits in their past six games (40 innings at the plate).

IUPUI (6-24) made only one error in the doubleheader but managedjust six hits in the opener and five hits in the second game.

The Irish next head into a crucial Big East Conference series thisweekend at National Division-leading Rutgers (8-4), which holds aone-game lead on Notre Dame (5-3). The teams are scheduled toplay a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday (bothstarting at noon).

Irish senior catcher/DH Mike Amrhein entered the day ranked sixth inthe nation with a .477 batting average, with his 3-for-7doubleheader effort slightly dropping his season average to .475.The 6-2, 200-pound righthander has hits in 31 of 33 games thisseason, including 27 of the last 28, and has not struck out in hislast 61 trips to the plate (Amrhein’s only hitless games came inseven-inning contests, going 0-for-3 vs. Army and 0-for-2 vs.Wisconsin-Milwaukee).

Amrhein’s catcher/DH platooning partner, sophomore Jeff Wagner, went2-for-3 in the opener and 1-for-1 in the nightcap to extend hishitting streak to 12 games and boost his batting average to .400 forthe first time since March 10. Wagner–the recently-named Big Eastplayer of the week–now has hits in 14 his last 21 at-bats.

The Irish jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning of theopener, ignited by freshman third baseman Brant Ust’s bases-loaded,two-run single up the middle. Sophomore leftfielder Allen Greenethen sent a slow roller through the right side, plating Wagner,before freshman first baseman Jeff Felker sent a dipping RBI singleto center field. Junior shortstop Todd Frye then added a sacrificesqueeze bunt and senior third baseman J.J. Brock drilled arun-scoring double into the left field corner.

Freshman righthander Steve Szczepanski picked up the victory in hisfirst career start and second-ever appearance, allowing three runs(two earned) on six hits and two walks over four innings, with fourstrikeouts. Another freshman righthander, Tom O’Hagan, picked up hisfirst career save after shutting out the Metros over the final threeinnings, with four strikeouts and no hits or walks allowed.

A final highlight of the opener came in the sixth inning, whenjunior transfer Dan Leatherman smacked his first home run of theseason, a solo shot for the lefthander over the right field fence.

The Irish scored four times in the third to claim a 5-1 lead in thenightcap, before holding off the visitors the rest of the way.Senior centerfielder Randall Brooks got the two-out rally going inthe third, with a single to shallow center field. Brooks then stolesecond and the Metros granted Amrhein his fourth intentional base onballs this season. Wagner then walked to load the bases (after a 2-2count) before Ust again came through with a two-run shot, this timeon a double over the rightfielder’s head. Greene then picked up twoRBI of his own, sending a first-pitch single to right field.

Yet another freshman pitcher, lefthander Tim Kalita (1-1), picked uphis first career victory, striking out four batters over the firstfour innings of the nightcap while allowing three runs (two earned)on four hits and two walks. Kalita’s fellow first-year southpaw,Mark Lapinskas, recorded the final two outs of the game (one bystrikeout) to record his first career save with the Irish.

In addition to Amrhein and Wagner, Thursday’s offensive fireworkscame from Brooks, Ust and Greene.

Brooks was 1-for-3 with two runs scored in the opener before going3-for-4 in the nightcap. He now has hits in 21 of his last 22 gameswhile raising his batting average to .349 (fourth-best on the squadand highest for Brooks since the second game of the season). Brooksnow has hits in 14 of his last 23 at-bats.

Ust–the recently-named Big East rookie of the week–went 1-for-2 inthe opener, driving in three runs while scoring a fourth. He cameback in the nightcap with a 2-for-3 effort, with two RBI and a run ascored, raising his season batting average to .379.

Greene celebrated his 20th birthday by going 3-for-3 in the openerand 1-for-2 in the nightcap to boost his season batting vs. theMetros to a whopping 9-for-11 (he was 5-for-6 vs. IUPUI on March20).

Brock has not made an error in the last 12 games (30 chances) whileplaying at the hot corner. He has hits in 14 of the last 16 games,providing an invaluable boost at the No. 9 spot.

NOTES: In Big East Conference action Wednesday between theleague’s travel partners, a matchup of the National Divisionco-leaders yielded a 16-4 victory for Rutgers (8-4) at Seton Hall(7-5). Georgetown (5-6) fell a game and a half behind Notre Dame(5-3), losing an 8-6 game at fifth-place Villanova (3-6). In theAmerican Division, West Virginia (11-1) maintained its strangleholdatop the standings after posting an 8-4 win at Pittsburgh (5-8). St.John’s (5-3) fell further behind the Mountaineers, dropping an 8-5decision at Connecticut (5-4), while Providence (2-8) posted a 10-7home victory over Boston College (1-9) to climb out of the NationalDivision cellar.

Game 1

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis 3 (6-23) Univ. of Notre Dame 11 (20-12)Name (Pos) AB R H RBI BB SO PO A Name (Pos) AB R H RBI BB SO PO A—————————————————- —————————————————-G. Pollard cf…………. 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 Pat O’Keefe rf………… 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 0Toby Rogers rf………… 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 Randall Brooks cf……… 3 2 1 0 1 0 2 0James Glaze lf………… 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 Mike Amrhein c………… 4 2 2 2 0 0 8 1Mark Buis 3b………….. 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Jeff Wagner dh………… 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 0Jade Kas ss…………… 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 Matt Nussbaum pr………. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Jeff Slunaker dh………. 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 Brant Ust 2b………….. 2 1 1 3 0 0 1 3Brad Tidd 2b………….. 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 Jeff Perconte ph/2b……. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1A. Kissler 1b…………. 2 0 0 0 0 1 6 1 Allen Greene lf……….. 3 1 3 1 0 0 1 0Brad Chenoweth ph……… 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Dan Leatherman lf/1b…… 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0Andy Dudley c…………. 1 0 1 2 1 0 4 0 Jeff Felker 1b………… 3 1 1 1 0 1 7 1Tim Gross c…………… 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Larry Zimont ph/lf…….. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Michael Kocher p………. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Todd Frye ss………….. 1 1 0 1 2 1 1 2Paul Seashols p……….. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J.J. Brock 3b…………. 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 0Matt Davis p………….. 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Paul Turco 3b…………. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Szczepanski p……. 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Tom O’Hagan p…………. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Totals……………….. 26 3 6 3 2 8 18 5 Totals……………….. 30 11 13 11 4 4 21 9

Score by innings: R H E——————————————-Ind-Pur@Indianapolis 021 000 0 – 3 6 1Univ. of Notre Dame 600 131 – 11 13 1——————————————-E – Jade Kas, Szczepanski(3).LOB – Indianpols 4, Irish 7.2B – James Glaze, Jeff Wagner(14), Allen Greene(11), J.J. Brock(9). 3B -Mike Amrhein(3).HR – Leatherman(1).SB – Toby Rogers, Rand. Brooks(13), Todd Frye(4). CS – Andy Dudley.SH – Todd Frye(4). SF – Brant Ust(4).Ind-Pur@Indianapolis IP H R ER BB SO AB BF Univ. of Notre Dame IP H R ER BB SO AB BF—————————————————– —————————————————–Michael Kocher…… 4.0 10 7 6 2 2 21 25 Steve Szczepanski… 4.0 6 3 2 2 4 17 19Paul Seashols……. 0.2 1 3 3 2 1 3 5 Tom O’Hagan……… 3.0 0 0 0 0 4 9 9Matt Davis………. 1.1 2 1 1 0 1 6 6Winner – Szczepanski 1-0. Loser – M. Kocher 1-2. Save – Tom O’Hagan (1).WP – M. Kocher 2, Szczepanski(3).Start: 4:02 Time: 2:13 Attendance: 156

Play-by-play

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 1
G. Pollard flied out to cf. Toby Rogers singled down the rf line. Toby Rogers stole second. James Glaze grounded out to ss; TobyRogers advanced to third. Mark Buis flied out to lf. 0 runs, 1hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 1
Pat O’Keefe singled to third base, bunt. Rand. Brooks flied out tocf. Mike Amrhein singled to shortstop; Pat O’Keefe advanced tosecond. Jeff Wagner singled to right field; Mike Amrhein advancedto second; Pat O’Keefe advanced to third. Brant Ust singled tocenter field, 2 RBI; Jeff Wagner advanced to second; Mike Amrheinscored; Pat O’Keefe scored. Brant Ust advanced to second on a wildpitch; Jeff Wagner advanced to third on a wild pitch. Allen Greenesingled to left field, RBI; Brant Ust advanced to third; Jeff Wagnerscored. Jeff Felker singled to center field, RBI; Allen Greeneadvanced to third; Brant Ust scored. Todd Frye grounded out to p,SAC, bunt, RBI; Jeff Felker advanced to second; Allen Greene scored. J.J. Brock doubled down the lf line, RBI; Jeff Felker scored. J.J.Brock advanced to third on a wild pitch. Pat O’Keefe struck out. 6runs, 7 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 2
Jade Kas singled to right field. J. Slunaker struck out. Brad Tiddwalked; Jade Kas advanced to second. A. Kissler grounded out to ss;Brad Tidd advanced to second; Jade Kas advanced to third. AndyDudley singled to left field, 2 RBI; Brad Tidd scored; Jade Kasscored. Andy Dudley out at second c to 2b, caught stealing. 2runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 2
Rand. Brooks flied out to rf. Mike Amrhein flied out to cf. JeffWagner flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 3
G. Pollard out at first 1b to p. Toby Rogers singled to centerfield. Toby Rogers advanced to second on an error by p. JamesGlaze doubled to right center, RBI; Toby Rogers scored, unearned. Mark Buis singled to third base, bunt; James Glaze advanced tothird. Jade Kas struck out; Mark Buis advanced to second on a wildpitch. J. Slunaker struck out. 1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 3
Brant Ust popped up to 2b. Allen Greene doubled down the lf line. Jeff Felker struck out looking. Todd Frye walked. J.J. Brockfouled out to c. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 4
Brad Tidd grounded out to p. A. Kissler struck out looking. AndyDudley walked. G. Pollard flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0errors, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 4
Pat O’Keefe fouled out to 1b. Rand. Brooks singled to left field. Rand. Brooks stole second. Mike Amrhein reached on an error by ss;Rand. Brooks advanced to third on the error. Jeff Wagner walked;Mike Amrhein advanced to second. Brant Ust flied out to lf, SF,RBI; Rand. Brooks scored, unearned. Allen Greene singled toshortstop; Jeff Wagner advanced to second; Mike Amrhein advanced tothird. Jeff Felker grounded out to 2b. 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 3LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 5
Tom O’Hagan to p for Szczepanski. Toby Rogers grounded out to 2b. James Glaze grounded out to 2b. Mark Buis grounded out to 2b. 0runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 5
P. Seashols to p for M. Kocher. Todd Frye walked. Todd Frye stolesecond. J.J. Brock struck out. Pat O’Keefe grounded out to 3b. Rand. Brooks walked. Mike Amrhein tripled to right field, 2 RBI;Rand. Brooks scored; Todd Frye scored. Matt Davis to p for P.Seashols. Jeff Wagner doubled to left center, RBI; Mike Amrheinscored. M. Nussbaum pinch ran for Jeff Wagner. J. Perconte pinchhit for Brant Ust. J. Perconte grounded out to 2b. 3 runs, 2 hits,0 errors, 1 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 6
J. Perconte to 2b. Leatherman to lf for Allen Greene. Paul Turcoto 3b for J.J. Brock. Jade Kas popped up to ss. J. Slunaker struckout. Brad Tidd grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 6
Tim Gross to c for Andy Dudley. Leatherman homered to right field,RBI. L. Zimont pinch hit for Jeff Felker. L. Zimont fouled out to1b. Todd Frye struck out. Paul Turco out at first 1b to p. 1 run,1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 7
Leatherman to 1b. L. Zimont to lf. B. Chenoweth pinch hit for A.Kissler. B. Chenoweth struck out looking. Tim Gross struck outlooking. G. Pollard struck out. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Game 2

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis 3 (6-24) Univ. of Notre Dame 6 (21-12)Name (Pos) AB R H RBI BB SO PO A Name (Pos) AB R H RBI BB SO PO A—————————————————- —————————————————-Cary Vernon cf………… 2 0 1 0 0 1 3 0 Pat O’Keefe rf………… 2 1 0 0 2 1 1 0Toby Rogers 2b/3b……… 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 Randall Brooks cf……… 4 1 3 1 0 0 1 0Jade Kas 1b…………… 2 0 1 1 1 0 9 0 Mike Amrhein dh……….. 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 0Mark Buis 3b………….. 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 Jeff Wagner c…………. 1 1 1 1 2 0 5 2Brad Chenoweth 2b……… 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brant Ust 2b………….. 3 1 2 2 0 1 0 3James Glaze lf………… 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Allen Greene lf……….. 2 0 1 2 1 0 0 0Brad Tidd ss………….. 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 3 Jeff Felker 1b………… 2 0 0 0 0 0 11 1Courtney Whitehead rf….. 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 Paul Turco ss…………. 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 3G. Pollard rf…………. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J.J. Brock 3b…………. 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3Andy Dudley c…………. 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 Tim Kalita p………….. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2Jeff Slunaker ph………. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wally Widelski p………. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Dustin Sims dh………… 3 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 Mark Lapinskas p………. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Brock Tidd p………….. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3Totals……………….. 23 3 5 3 2 6 18 13 Totals……………….. 22 6 8 6 6 3 21 14Score by innings: R H E——————————————-Ind-Pur@Indianapolis 001 200 0 – 3 5 0Univ. of Notre Dame 104 001 – 6 8 2——————————————-E – Brant Ust(13), Jeff Felker(5).DP – Irish 1. LOB – Indianpols 3, Irish 6.2B – Rand. Brooks 2(9), Brant Ust(6).SB – Jade Kas 2, Pat O’Keefe(4), Rand. Brooks(13). CS – Dustin Sims, AllenGreene(2).SH – Cary Vernon, Andy Dudley, Paul Turco(4).Ind-Pur@Indianapolis IP H R ER BB SO AB BF Univ. of Notre Dame IP H R ER BB SO AB BF—————————————————– —————————————————–Brock Tidd………. 6.0 8 6 6 6 3 22 30 Tim Kalita………. 4.0 4 3 2 2 4 14 18 Wally Widelski…… 2.1 1 0 0 0 1 7 7 Mark Lapinskas…… 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 2 2Winner – Tim Kalita 1-1. Loser – Brock Tidd 1-5. Save – M. Lapinskas (1).WP – Brock Tidd 2. PB – Andy Dudley.HBP – by Brock Tidd (Jeff Felker).Start: 6:27 Time: 1:56 Attendance: 156

Play-by-play

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 1
Cary Vernon struck out. Toby Rogers grounded out to c. Jade Kas walked. Jade Kas stole second. Mark Buis struck out. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 1
Pat O’Keefe struck out. Rand. Brooks doubled to right field, out at second rf to 2b to 3b to ss. Mike Amrhein singled to third base. Mike Amrhein advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jeff Wagner singled to left field, out at first lf to p to 1b, RBI; Mike Amrhein scored. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 2
James Glaze flied out to cf. Brad Tidd walked. Brad Tidd advanced to second on an error by 1b. C. Whitehead flied out to rf. Andy Dudley grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 2
Brant Ust struck out looking. Allen Greene walked. Jeff Felker flied out to cf. Paul Turco struck out looking. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 3
Dustin Sims reached on an error by 2b. Cary Vernon grounded out to 3b, SAC, bunt; Dustin Sims advanced to second. Toby Rogers struck out looking. Jade Kas singled to right field, RBI; Dustin Sims scored, unearned. Jade Kas stole second. Mark Buis struck out looking. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 3
J.J. Brock flied out to cf. Pat O’Keefe flied out to cf. Rand. Brooks singled to center field. Rand. Brooks stole second. Mike Amrhein intentionally walked. Jeff Wagner walked; Mike Amrhein advanced to second; Rand. Brooks advanced to third. Brant Ust doubled to right field, 2 RBI; Jeff Wagner advanced to third; Mike Amrhein scored; Rand. Brooks scored. Allen Greene singled to right field, 2 RBI; Brant Ust scored; Jeff Wagner scored. Allen Greene out at second c to 2b, caught stealing. 4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 4
James Glaze grounded out to ss. Brad Tidd singled to left field. C. Whitehead singled to shortstop; Brad Tidd advanced to second. Andy Dudley grounded out to p, SAC, bunt; C. Whitehead advanced to second; Brad Tidd advanced to third. Dustin Sims singled to center field, 2 RBI; C. Whitehead scored; Brad Tidd scored. Dustin Sims out at second p to 1b to ss, caught stealing. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 4
Jeff Felker hit by pitch. Paul Turco grounded out to p, SAC, bunt; Jeff Felker advanced to second. J.J. Brock fouled out to 1b. Jeff Felker advanced to third on a passed ball. Pat O’Keefe walked. Rand. Brooks popped up to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 5
W. Widelski to p for Tim Kalita. Cary Vernon singled to left field. Toby Rogers grounded into double play 2b to ss to 1b; Cary Vernon out on the play. Jade Kas grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 5
Mike Amrhein grounded out to 3b. Jeff Wagner walked. Brant Ust singled to left field; Jeff Wagner advanced to second. Allen Greene grounded out to ss; Brant Ust advanced to second; Jeff Wagner advanced to third. Jeff Felker grounded out to p. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 6
Mark Buis grounded out to 2b. James Glaze popped up to ss. Brad Tidd struck out, out at first c to 1b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 6
Toby Rogers to 3b. B. Chenoweth to 2b for Mark Buis. G. Pollard to rf for C. Whitehead. Paul Turco grounded out to 3b, bunt. J.J. Brock grounded out to ss. Pat O’Keefe walked. Pat O’Keefe stole second. Pat O’Keefe advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rand. Brooks doubled down the lf line, RBI; Pat O’Keefe scored. Mike Amrhein grounded out to ss. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Ind-Pur@Indianapolis inning 7
G. Pollard grounded out to 2b. J. Slunaker pinch hit for Andy Dudley. M. Lapinskas to p for W. Widelski. J. Slunaker grounded out to 3b. Dustin Sims struck out looking. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.