A STREAK TO REMEMBER

It was a streak that demanded attention. It was an accomplishment that commanded respect.

In short, it was an achievement for the ages!

When it finally ended, as most good things do, one could only marvel at its magnificence. In the annals of Notre Dame athletics, it was unsurpassed. And only once had it been matched - equaled by the juggernaut that was ND football in '88 and '89.

Just let the number sink in. Twenty-three straight wins. Nearly two dozen. Reflect on it a bit and mull it over.

Moreover, ponder for a moment all the variables involved and realize just how difficult it is to put together such a skein.

When you do, you can't help but be duly impressed. Paying it homage with just a tip of the cap seems somehow insufficient. A pronounced bow of respect is more in order.

It was a stirring run that lasted from March 25th until April 26th. A sustained stretch of excellence kept alive for more than a month. Never in the 114-year history of Irish baseball had any team remained unbeaten for so long. It was a piece of perfection the likes of which we may never see again. Or, at least, not for another century or so.

And all this from a club that was scuffling in the early going of the season. After 18 games, the Domers were a pedestrian 10 and 8 and had suffered the indignity of losing five in a row. Hardly indicative of a squad with the stuff to make history.

But suddenly the bell went off, the light switch got flipped and for a extended period of time, it all came together. The Irish became carnivores, devouring everything in their sight. Paul Mainieri's crew began munching opponents with relish. What's more, they remained famished for more.

By the time the feast had run its course, ND had knitted together the nation's longest winning streak, had posted 14 consecutive Big East wins and had returned from virtual purgatory to climb into the country's Top-10.

The Irish had gone from nowhere to the penthouse in but 31 days. The streak had taken them so far, so fast, it boggled the mind. Their season went from ouch to wow seemingly overnight. It was the ultimate turnaround.

Aside from its duration, the streak had a very curious dimension. In 12 of the games, the Irish found themselves behind only to battle back and emerge victorious. Comebacks became second-nature to them. Deficits seemed inconsequential. It was almost as if the guys from South Bend needed to trail at some point before their competitive juices fully kicked in. But whatever works, right?

This remarkable string of W's was fashioned by perhaps the most balanced Irish baseball team ever. Like a thriving charity, there have been plenty of contributors. Most everybody is chipping in and lending a hand.

The numbers tell the story of a team with many working parts, all helping to drive an engine that's purring right along.

As of now, the Irish have seven hitters batting .300 or better. Five have a spectacular on-base percentage of at least .411. Nine more have scored a minimum of 26 runs.

Yet, the one stat that hits you between the eyes is the RBI category. All-American candidate Craig Cooper, senior Matt Bransfield, shortstop Greg Lopez and catcher Cody Rizzo have each driven in a team-leading 34 runs.

Not to be outdone, plucky outfielder Danny Dressman and freshman infielder Jeremy Barnes are nipping at their heels having plated 33.

You only find that kind of balance on a beam.

But as good as the batsmen have been, the hurlers are right there with them sharing center stage.

Starters Jeff Manship and two-sport dynamo Jeff Samardzija are both a splendid 6 and 1. Lefties Wade Korpi and Tom Thornton are just a tick behind with 5-1 records.

Others worthy of note are right-hander Jess Stewart who's gone 4 and 1 while Mike Drury has won thrice without a loss.

And where would the Domers be without their killer newcomer, Kyle Weiland. The 6-4, freshman hurler has been beyond nails, recording 12 saves in 13 chances. Weiland has been locking down more games than guards do inmates.

Add to all this the magic touch of Mainieri who has a definite knack for moving players around and getting them to be productive. He's a master when it comes to manipulating his roster. You don't win 544 games in 12 years as the Irish skipper without being a shrewd judge of talent and knowing how to use it.

Now that they've proved they can streak, can the eighth-ranked Domers (36-9-1) catch fire in the post season?

The ingredients are there for a prolonged stay in the NCAA tournament. ND has proven its grace under fire when in arrears. Their lineup is as balanced from top to bottom as almost any club in the country. And the pitching corps is talented and deep. They've also got a coach who can be counted upon to make sound decisions.

The streak the Irish just completed was a thing of beauty. It was a wondrous combination of skill, grit, confidence, momentum and a dash of luck. For the players who were part of it, surely it had to be the time of their lives. It was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Only a trip to the College World Series could top it.

If the Irish have another lengthy run in them, later this month would be a mighty fine time to start one.