Looking Forward...BIG EAST Softball
6/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
BIG EAST Softball
CHICAGO - This is the final segment in a series that takes an inside look at the future of DePaul athletics in the BIG EAST Conference. The BIG EAST, headquartered in Providence, R.I., celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2003-04 season and moved forward in 2004-05 with the addition of five new members poised to join the league this summer.
On July 1, DePaul University joins the University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, Marquette University and the University of South Florida as new members of the BIG EAST Conference. The league membership in 2005-06 includes the five new members joining the University of Connecticut, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Providence College, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Syracuse University, Villanova University and the University of West Virginia.
A Preview of BIG EAST Softball
The BIG EAST has sponsored a softball championship each season since 1990. The top four teams in the league participate. Connecticut has captured the most league titles with seven. Seton Hall won its first title in 2004, defeating Notre Dame, 5-2 in eight innings before winning again this past season over the Irish with a 2-1 victory in 11 innings.
Notre Dame finished the league portion of the schedule with a 16-2 record to earn their 10th consecutive regular season softball crown. Since beginning BIG EAST softball regular-season play in 1996, Notre Dame has captured the regular season title each season and earned the No. 1 seed in every championship.
Seton Hall and Notre Dame represented the BIG EAST in the NCAA Softball Championship with the Pirates traveling to Ann Arbor to play in a regional hosted by Michigan while the Irish hosted their first NCAA Regional in program history. Neither team could advance out of its double-elimination regional held May 20-22.
Last Five BIG EAST Tournament Champions
| 2005 | Seton Hall |
| 2004 | Seton Hall |
| 2003 | Notre Dame |
| 2002 | Notre Dame |
| 2001 | Connecticut |
2005 BIG EAST Standings
Team BIG EAST Overall Notre Dame 16-2-0 46-15-0 Seton Hall 15-3-0 34-15-0 Syracuse 11-7-0 28-22-0 Villanova 10-8-0 38-25-0 8-8-0 23-29-0 8-10-0 20-25-0 6-10-0 20-25-0 6-10-0 20-30-1 5-13-0 33-20-0 1-15-0 5-43-0
W-L-T
W-L-T Pittsburgh Connecticut Boston College St. John's Providence Rutgers
Category Name, School Total Batting Avg. Tami Hill, St. John's .372 Home Runs Laura Taylor, Seton Hall 13 Runs Scored Stephanie Brown, Notre Dame 35 Doubles Katie Laing, Notre Dame 17 RBI Laura Taylor, Seton Hall 42 Stolen Bases Kellie Middleton, Notre Dame 25 On Base Pct. Laura Taylor, Seton Hall .448 Wins Heather Booth, Notre Dame 23 Innings Pitched Heather Booth, Notre Dame 209.2 Strikeouts Heather Booth, Notre Dame 204 Earned Run Avg. Heather Booth, Notre Dame 1.57 Opp. Batting Avg. Heather Booth, Notre Dame .187
Shannon Garvin, Providence