Printer-Friendly Format     E-mail this article     Thursday's non-conference win over Western Michigan will be followed by Notre Dame's home opener on March 26.

 
Bargar Blanks Broncos As Irish Roll To Shutout Win

Junior pitcher helps Notre Dame earn 15th win of season.

March 20, 2008

Final Stats

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Junior pitcher Brittney Bargar tossed a complete-game shutout on Thursday at Fran Ebert Field to give the University of Notre Dame softball team a 2-0 non-conference win against Western Michigan. The righty improved her record from the circle to 12-5 as the Irish moved to 15-9 overall heading in to their March 26 home opener versus IUPUI.

Bargar gave up only two hits in 7.0 frames of work and struck out nine Broncos (6-7). She also helped herself by cleanly fielding six grounders for outs. Her only walk of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning.

WMU's Kyla Sullivan (3-4) retired Sadie Pitzenberger to start the game then issued three free passes in the top of the first. After Christine Lux was relieved on three strikes, Linda Kohan drew a walk to bring home Sarah Smith which gave Notre Dame a 1-0 lead.

Ashley Ellis stroked her first double of the season to kick off the second but was left on the pond when Sullivan retired the next three Irish batters.

The only hit for Notre Dame in the third frame scored the team's second run of the contest. Katie Laing punished Sullivan for hanging a change-up in the zone and drove the ball deep to center for a solo homer. Laing was steady for the Irish with a 2-for-2 afternoon at the dish.

Pitzenberger slapped a one-out single up the middle in the seventh for the last of Notre Dame's five hits off Sullivan. Sullivan struck out four and walked for from the circle in 7.0 innings and shouldered the loss.

Amanda Gelder doubled off Bargar in the bottom of the seventh to leave two on base for the Broncos with two outs. Bargar recovered and sent back Lauren Fuller with a strikeout to end the game.

--ND--