Ivey gave up a leadoff single to Notre Dame rightfielder Jennifer Kriech in the top of the first, but Kriech was erased on a double play as Ivey mowed down the next 14 batters she faced. Campbell's single fell just inches inside the rightfield foul line to plate Sircher with the game-winning run. Sircher was advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from first baseman Tami Bouck, but was still there with two outs following a Dana Jukusz lineout to leftfield. Campbell's single scored Molly Sircher from second after Sircher was inserted as a pinch runner for third baseman Julie Luna, who reached first base after working Notre Dame pitcher Jennifer Sharron for a leadoff walk. The lone run of the contest came in the bottom of the fifth inning on a checked-swing bloop single off the bat of DePaul second baseman Toni Campbell, who dropped it just over the head of Notre Dame first baseman Lizzy Lemire. Ivey (11-5) faced just one hitter over the minimum as the Blue Demons, who entered the regional as the tournament's fifth seed, closed the first two days of tournament play as the only unbeaten team. Paced by a two-hit shutout performance from junior pitcher Ashley Ivey, DePaul defeated Notre Dame 1-0 in NCAA Regional 8 Championship action on Friday (May 19) at Michigan's Alumni Field.

Central Michigan, 10 a.m.ĭePaul Drops Irish in NCAA Regional Pitcher's DuelĪNN ARBOR, Mich. Next Notre Dame Game: Saturday, May 20 - vs. Event: NCAA Regional 8 Softball Championship (Game 6)

Abby Wize by Lisa Bradley