April 13, 2007

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College softball team will play the top two teams in the BIG EAST Conference this weekend at PC's Raymond Field. On Saturday, April 14, the Friars will host Notre Dame at noon. The following day, PC will play No. 18/14 DePaul at 11:00 a.m.

Providence (14-14, 3-7 BIG EAST) enters the weekend after winning their last three games, including a two-game sweep (9-0, 10-3) against Fairfield on Tuesday, April 10. Senior Rachel Bartholomew (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) led the way for the Friars with four hits (two home runs), three runs and six RBIs. Freshman Christy Becker (San Diego, Calif.) batted 5-for-6 with three runs, while sophomore Mary Rose Sheehy (Woodbridge, Conn.) and freshman Danielle Bertolette (Temecula, Calif.) each had four hits in the doubleheader. Senior Sara Surosky (Elmira, N.Y.) recorded the shutout in the first game as she allowed just three hits in over four innings of action. The Friars, who have posted a 4-2 record in the last six games, have recorded 80 hits and scored 56 runs over that span. For the season, Bartholomew leads the team in batting average (.415), hits (39), doubles (7), home runs (7) and RBIs (31). Surosky leads the PC pitching staff with seven wins, a 2.87 ERA and 77 strikeouts.

Notre Dame (19-13, 8-0 BIG EAST) is tied for first place with DePaul in the BIG EAST standings. The Fighting Irish had their 10-game winning streak snapped with a 2-1 loss to Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, April 10. Brittney Bargar started for the Irish and pitched four innings, allowing one hit and striking out three batters. Kenya Fuemmeler came on in relief and threw the final three innings, allowing both runs on three hits and striking out two batters. Stephanie Brown accounted for Notre Dame's run as she belted her first home run of the season. All eight of Notre Dame's BIG EAST wins came during its 10-game win streak. Brown leads the team with a .472 batting average, 25 runs, 42 hits and 10 stolen bases. Bargar has a 12-7 record, a 1.94 ERA and 133 strikeouts. Last season, Notre Dame posted a 3-0 record against the Friars, including a 4-1 win in the BIG EAST Tournament Quarterfinals in South Bend, Ind. Updated ND Stats in PDF Format

DePaul (25-7, 8-0 BIG EAST) enters the weekend ranked 18th in the USA Today/NFCA Poll and 14th in the ESPN.com Top 25 Poll. The Blue Demons have won nine consecutive games, including a 3-2, nine-inning triumph over cross town rival Loyola-Chicago on Tuesday, April 10. Kate Sheaks hit a walkoff home run in the ninth inning to lead DePaul. Sheaks ranks second on the team with a .344 batting average and leads the squad with 23 runs. Amber Patton is tops on the team with .354 batting average. The pitching staff is led by Tracie Adix, who has a 10-1 record, a 0.57 ERA and 92 strikeouts. Eight of DePaul's nine wins in this streak have come against BIG EAST opponents. Last season, DePaul and Providence split a doubleheader with the Friars winning the first game (5-4) and DePaul taking the second game (4-0) in Chicago, Ill. Updated DePaul Stats in PDF Format