May 6, 2001

The eighth-ranked University of Notre Dame softball team (51-3, 20-0) will face Seton Hall (13-7 in the BIG EAST) in the first round of the BIG EAST Championship this Thursday, May 10th, at Sullivan Field in Villanova, Pa.

Second-seeded Villanova and #3 Connecticut will follow the Irish-Pirate matchup at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. The winners of game one and two will meet in the double elimination tournament on Friday, May 11, at 10 a.m.

The Irish enter the tournament this weekend as two-time defending champions, defeating Connecticut 7-0 in last season's championship game. Notre Dame became the third BIG EAST team to finish the regular season undefeated this year, following the 1999 Irish team and Connecticut in 1992.

BIG EAST Softball Championship - Sullivan Field, Villanova, Pa.

Thursday, May 10:

Game 1 - #1 Notre Dame vs. #4 Seton Hall, 11 a.m.

Game 2 - #2 Villanova vs. #3 Connecticut, 1:30 p.m.

Friday, May 11:

Game 3 - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 10 a.m.

Game 4 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 12 p.m.

Game 5 - Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 12:

Game 6 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m.

Game 7 - Same teams as Game 6, if necessary, 2 p.m.