April 29, 1997

Balanced Effort Downs Valparaiso, 10-6

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Another balanced offensive effortkept the Notre Dame baseball team on its record-setting pace, as theIrish defeated visiting Valparaiso, 10-6, in non-conference baseballaction Thursday at Eck Stadium.

Notre Dame (33-17) improved to 19-2 at home this season whilemaintaining a .335 team batting average, above the team record(.334, set in 1989 and ’93). Freshman first baseman Jeff Felker’ssolo home run in the third gives the Irish 56 homers for the season,fifth-most in team history and just eight shy of equaling the teamrecord of 64 (set in 1993).

Valparaiso (18-24) jumped ahead with a run in the top of thefirst before the Irish scored in every inning from the secondthrough the fifth to claim a 9-1 lead.

Senior lefthander Wally Widelski (3-0) picked up the win,pitching the second through sixth innings while allowing three runs(all earned) on four hits and a walk, with three strikeouts and sixgroundouts.

The Irish tied the game with a run in the second, on Felker’sblast over the rightfield fence (his fourth home run of the season),before adding three runs in the third, a single run in the fourth,and four more runs in the fifth.

The three-run third featured opening walks from freshmanrightfielder Jeff Perconte and senior centerfielder Randall Brooksbefore senior catcher Mike Amrhein ripped an RBI double down therightfield line. Sophomore leftfielder Allen Green brought homeBrooks with a sacrifice fly and Felker kept things going with atwo-out double down the rightfield line to score Amrhein.

The Irish tacked on a run in the fourth, after senior thirdbaseman J.J. Brock was hit by a pitch, moved up on a wild pitch andscored on Amrhein’s hard-hit single off the glove of shortstop KyleMusser. The hosts then broke the game open with four runs in thefifth.

Felker drew a leadoff walk in the fourth, stole second and tookthird when the throw went into centerfield. Junior second basemanTodd Frye walked to put runners on the corners before Brock sent anRBI single through the left side of the infield. Perconte thensingled to shallow right field, with a throwing error on secondbaseman Josh McIntyre allowing Frye to score while the other runnersmoved up. Righthander Ryan Naughton then took mound but Brooks sentthe first pitch he saw into left field, plating Brock, and Amrheinthen brought home Perconte with a single through the left side.

The Crusaders made things interesting with three runs in thesixth and another run in the seventh off senior righthander MikeBalicki, cutting the lead to 9-5.

Amrhein’s 3-for-4 day gives him 258 career hits, moving past DanPeltier (257, from 1987-89) into third on the Irish all-time hitslist, behind Pat Pesavento (296, from 1986-89) and Eric Danapilis(295, from 1990-93). Amrhein’s three RBI vs. the Crusaders give him196 in his career, just six behind Peltier for second place in Irishhistory. Amrhein’s run scored leaves him with 183 in his career,four behind former teammate Scott Sollmann for fifth all-time atNotre Dame.

NOTES: Freshman shortstop Brant Ust went 0-for-4 in theValparaiso game, snapping his hitting streak at 15 games, whileGreene’s 0-for-3 day ended his hitting streak at 13 … Amrheinstarted his 183rd career game on Tuesday, moving past formerteammate and Irish catcher Bob Lisanti into sixth on the Notre Damecareer starts list … Amrhein is one of 10 Irish players ever toappear in 200-plus games (203) … sophomore DH/catcher Jeff Wagnerdid not play on Tuesday due to a sore wrist … freshman righthanderScott Cavey pitched the first inning vs. the Crusaders, making hisfirst appearance since throwing in the 16-3 win over Boston Collegeon April 6 (Cavey had missed the last 18 games due to elbowproblems).

Valparaiso Univ. 6 (18-24)                              Univ. of Notre Dame 10 (33-17)Name (Pos)                 AB  R  H RBI  BB SO PO  A    Name (Pos)                 AB  R  H RBI  BB SO PO  A------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rob Hadrick cf............  5  1  4  2    0  0  4  0    Jeff Perconte rf..........  3  3  2  1    2  0  2  0Kyle Musser ss............  5  0  1  1    0  2  1  2    Randall Brooks cf.........  2  1  2  1    2  0  2  0Jamie Sykes rf............  3  1  0  0    1  0  1  0     Pat O'Keefe pr/cf......... 0  0  0  0    0  0  2  0Todd Poepard 1b...........  4  1  1  1    0  0  6  1    Mike Amrhein c............  4  1  3  3    0  0  3  0Ryan Poepard dh...........  4  0  1  1    0  2  0  0     Mike Knecht c............. 0  0  0  1    0  0  3  2Paul Stavnes 3b...........  2  0  0  0    0  1  1  0    Brant Ust ss..............  4  0  0  0    0  2  0  4 J.J. Swiatkowski ph/3b.... 2  0  1  1    0  0  0  0     Paul Turco ss............. 1  0  0  0    0  1  1  0Jamie Taylor lf...........  4  0  0  0    0  1  2  0    Allen Greene lf...........  3  0  0  1    0  1  1  0Scott Lockhart c..........  2  0  0  0    0  0  5  0     Dan Leatherman lf......... 1  0  0  0    0  0  1  1 Brian O'Connor ph/c....... 1  1  0  0    1  1  2  0    Jeff Felker 1b............  4  2  2  2    1  0  8  1Josh McIntrye 2b..........  2  2  0  0    2  0  1  4    Justin Scholl dh..........  4  0  1  0    0  2  0  0Jim Pomeroy p.............  0  0  0  0    0  0  0  1     John Corbin ph............ 1  0  0  0    0  1  0  0 Ryan Naughton p........... 0  0  0  0    0  0  1  0    Todd Frye 2b..............  3  1  1  0    2  0  1  1J.J. Brock 3b.............  3  2  1  1    0  0  2  3Scott Cavey p.............  0  0  0  0    0  0  0  0 Wally Widelski p.......... 0  0  0  0    0  0  0  0 Mike Balicki p............ 0  0  0  0    0  0  1  0 Larry Mohs p.............. 0  0  0  0    0  0  0  0------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Totals.................... 34  6  8  6    4  7 24  8    Totals.................... 33 10 12 10    7  7 27 12Score by innings:                      R  H  E----------------------------------------------Valparaiso Univ.      100 003 101   -  6  8  4Univ. of Notre Dame   013 140 10    - 10 12  1----------------------------------------------E - Paul Stavnes(12), Sc. Lockhart(3), Jo. McIntrye, Ry. Naughton(1), Scott Cavey(3).DP - Crusaders 2. LOB - Crusaders 5, Irish 10.2B - Rob Hadrick 2(17), Mike Amrhein(9), Jeff Felker(6).HR - Jeff Felker(4).SB - Rob Hadrick(14), Jeff Felker(6).SH - Pat O'Keefe(5). SF - Mike Knecht(1), Allen Greene(3).Valparaiso Univ.       IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO  AB  BF    Univ. of Notre Dame    IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO  AB  BF--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jim Pomeroy.........  4.1  10   9   9   5   3  21  28    Scott Cavey.........  1.0   2   1   1   0   0   5   5Ryan Naughton.......  3.2   2   1   0   2   4  12  16    Wally Widelski......  5.0   4   3   3   1   3  18  19Mike Balicki........  1.0   1   1   1   1   1   4   5Larry Mohs..........  2.0   1   1   1   2   3   7   9Winner - W. Widelski 3-0.  Loser - Jim Pomeroy 5-6.  Save - None.WP - Jim Pomeroy(6).HBP - by Jim Pomeroy (J.J. Brock).Start: 7:00   Time: 2:52   Attendance: 253

Play-by-play

Valparaiso Univ. inning 1

Rob Hadrick doubled to right field. Kyle Musser singled to center field,RBI; Rob Hadrick scored. Jamie Sykes flied out to rf. Kyle Musser advancedto second on an error by p. Todd Poepard flied out to cf; Kyle Musseradvanced to third. Ryan Poepard grounded out to 3b. 1 run, 2 hits, 1error, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 1

J. Perconte singled to first base, bunt. Rand. Brooks singled to leftfield; J. Perconte advanced to second. Mike Amrhein flied out to cf. BrantUst grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b; Rand. Brooks out on the play.0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 2

W. Widelski to p for Scott Cavey. Paul Stavnes struck out. Jamie Taylorgrounded out to ss. Sc. Lockhart grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 2

Allen Greene grounded out to 2b. Jeff Felker homered to right field, RBI.Just. Scholl singled to right field. Todd Frye singled to left field; Just.Scholl advanced to second. J.J. Brock grounded into double play 2b to ss to1b; Todd Frye out on the play. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 3

Jo. McIntrye grounded out to ss. Rob Hadrick flied out to lf. Kyle Musserstruck out looking. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 3

J. Perconte walked. Rand. Brooks walked; J. Perconte advanced to second.Mike Amrhein doubled down the rf line, RBI; Rand. Brooks advanced to third;J. Perconte scored. Brant Ust struck out. Allen Greene flied out to cf,SF, RBI; Rand. Brooks scored. Jeff Felker doubled down the rf line, RBI;Mike Amrhein scored. Just. Scholl reached on an error by 3b; Jeff Felkeradvanced to third. Todd Frye grounded out to p. 3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 4

Jamie Sykes flied out to rf. Todd Poepard popped up to 3b. Ryan Poepardstruck out. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 4

J.J. Brock hit by pitch. J. Perconte grounded out to 2b; J.J. Brockadvanced to second. J.J. Brock advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rand.Brooks walked. Mike Amrhein singled to left field, RBI; Rand. Brooksadvanced to second; J.J. Brock scored. Brant Ust flied out to rf. AllenGreene struck out looking. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 5

Paul Stavnes flied out to cf. Jamie Taylor grounded out to ss. Sc.Lockhart grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 5

Jeff Felker walked. Just. Scholl struck out. Jeff Felker stole second,advanced to third on an error by c. Todd Frye walked. J.J. Brock singledto left field, RBI; Todd Frye advanced to second; Jeff Felker scored. J.Perconte singled to right field, RBI, advanced to second on an error by 2b;J.J. Brock advanced to second, advanced to third on an error by 2b; ToddFrye scored. Ry. Naughton to p for Jim Pomeroy. Rand. Brooks singled toleft field, RBI; J. Perconte advanced to third; J.J. Brock scored. PatO’Keefe pinch ran for Rand. Brooks. Mike Amrhein singled to left field,RBI; Pat O’Keefe advanced to second; J. Perconte scored. Brant Ust struckout looking. Allen Greene popped up to 3b. 4 runs, 4 hits, 2 errors, 2LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 6

Pat O’Keefe to cf. Mike Knecht to c for Mike Amrhein. Paul Turco to ss forBrant Ust. Leatherman to lf for Allen Greene. Jo. McIntrye walked. RobHadrick singled to right field; Jo. McIntrye advanced to second. KyleMusser flied out to cf. Jamie Sykes reached on a fielder’s choice; RobHadrick out at second 2b to ss; Jo. McIntrye advanced to third. ToddPoepard singled to center field, RBI; Jamie Sykes advanced to third; Jo.McIntrye scored. Ryan Poepard singled to right field, RBI; Todd Poepardadvanced to second; Jamie Sykes scored. Swiatkowski pinch hit for PaulStavnes. Swiatkowski singled to left field, out at second lf to c to 2b,RBI; Ryan Poepard advanced to third; Todd Poepard scored. 3 runs, 4 hits, 0errors, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 6

Swiatkowski to 3b. Jeff Felker out at first 1b to p. Just. Scholl struckout. Todd Frye walked. J.J. Brock popped up to 1b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0errors, 1 LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 7

M. Balicki to p for W. Widelski. Jamie Taylor fouled out to 3b. Br.O’Connor pinch hit for Sc. Lockhart. Br. O’Connor walked. Jo. McIntrye outat first 1b to p; Br. O’Connor advanced to second. Rob Hadrick singled tocenter field, RBI; Br. O’Connor scored. Rob Hadrick stole second. KyleMusser struck out. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 7

Br. O’Connor to c. J. Perconte walked. Pat O’Keefe reached on an error byp, SAC, advanced to second on the error; J. Perconte advanced to second,advanced to third on the error. Mike Knecht flied out to lf, SF, RBI; PatO’Keefe advanced to third on the throw; J. Perconte scored, unearned. PaulTurco struck out. Leatherman flied out to cf. 1 run, 0 hits, 1 error, 1LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 8

Larry Mohs to p for M. Balicki. Jamie Sykes walked. Todd Poepard flied outto lf. Ryan Poepard struck out. Swiatkowski flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Univ. of Notre Dame inning 8

Jeff Felker flied out to cf. John Corbin pinch hit for Just. Scholl. JohnCorbin struck out. Todd Frye lined out to lf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0LOB.

Valparaiso Univ. inning 9

Jamie Taylor struck out, out at first c to 1b. Br. O’Connor struck outlooking. Jo. McIntrye walked. Jo. McIntrye advanced to second. RobHadrick doubled to left center, RBI; Jo. McIntrye scored. Kyle Mussergrounded out to 3b. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Game Notes:
Notre Dame is now 19-2 at home.

Amrhein moves past Dan Peltier (1987-89) into third on the Irish careerhits list with 258.