March 30, 2003

The University of Notre Dame softball team (10-11) hoped that, after being rained out Saturday at Pittsburgh, a trip south to Virginia Tech would at least enable them to get on the field for some competition. But, as with much of the softball season this year for the Irish, Mother Nature had other plans. A strong snow storm moved into the Blacksburg area and snowed out Notre Dame’s match up with Virginia Tech. At last report, there were three to six inches of snow on the ground in Blacksburg.

The Irish have now lost at least nine games to rain or snow this season. The bracket play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic was cancelled on Saturday, Feb. 22, due to heavy rain. Notre Dame’s apparent victory over Rhode Island, in which the Irish led 12-0 in the fourth inning, was eventually cancelled due to the games from the previous day being pushed back for rain delays.

At the Kia Klassic in Fullerton, Calif., Notre Dame lost two more games due to heavy rain on Saturday, March 14 (it never rains in Southern California?).

Now, the two doubleheaders cancellations this weekend to begin the BIG EAST Conference season.

The Irish might attempt to play Pittsburgh on Monday, March 31. The team also has a doubleheader scheduled at Purdue on Tuesday, April 1, and a home doubleheader with Loyola (Chicago) on Thursday, April 3.

The games with Virginia Tech might have to be made up this season as well. The Irish and Hokies finished one-two in the preseason BIG EAST coaches poll.