March 24, 2003
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - John Axford and Ryan Kalita combined for two
more strong performances from Notre Dame starting pitchers while freshmen
centerfielder Brennan Grogan factors into most of the team's offense as the
19th-ranked Irish close out their BIG EAST series versus Villanova with a 3-2,
5-1 doubleheader sweep.
Notre Dame (11-6, 2-1 BIG EAST) saw most of its scoring sparked by leadoff
hits, with Grogan and his fellow fresehmen playing a lead role in that area,
while the Irish also executed several timely sacrifice bunts (despite stranding
eight baserunners in each game). Villanova (5-10, 1-2) failed to generate many
solid scoring chances versus the surging Notre Dame pitching staff.
Freshman leftfielder Craig Cooper (3-for-3, RBI) led the offense in the seven-
inning opener while Axford (4-0) scattered one run, two hits and four walks
over five innings, with seven strikeouts. Senior Brandon Viloria then logged
the final two innings to pick up the sixth save of his career.
Grogan then stepped up in the nightcap, batting 3-for-5 with his second triple
of the day, two RBI and a run scored. Kalita (2-0) improved to 8-0 in his Irish
career after a strong eight innings that included one run on five hits and
three walks, with seven Ks.
