by Claire DeMeo ’24
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame (27-21) was firing on all cylinders in Saturday’s record-breaking game against Toledo (24-27), securing the series with the 8-2 win.
With the Irish’s three homers today, they set the program record for single-season home runs, currently at 81 on the year (The 2022 College World Series team single-season record was set at 79). INF Jack Penney was responsible for two of the homers on the day, his second-career multi-homer game (his first was March 3, 2024 at Tennessee Tech), and second game with five RBI (his first was March 11, 2023 at Georgia Tech). OF Brady Gumpf also recorded a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth to maintain the Irish lead.
Starting RHP Matt Bedford (3-6) led the defense and earned the win, only allowing one run and two walks in a five-inning performance. RHP Bennett Flynn pitched four innings in relief to earn the save, striking out an impressive seven batters, walking two and only giving up one run, unearned.
The Irish added to their defensive showcase, turning another double play–their 43rd of the season. Entering the weekend, the Irish ranked first in the ACC in double plays. INF Connor Hincks came into the weekend ranked first in double plays. He brings his individual total to 42.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish immediately forced a groundout on Bedford’s first pitch. After a single, a flyout to OF David Glancy sat the next better. Toledo doubled to left field, but after the ball took an errant bounce, Glancy managed to recover and send it back to C Tony Lindwedel, who made a swift tag to throw the runner out at home, saving a run and ending the top half of the first. In the bottom half, Glancy smacked a leadoff double to begin the Irish attack, but the next three batters were then retired in order.
Both teams traded three up, three downs in the second inning, keeping the game scoreless. In the top of the third, Gumpf snagged a fly ball to sit the leadoff batter. After a single, the Irish secured the second out on a fielder’s choice. Another flyout forced the third out and put Notre Dame back up to bat, but the Irish order was held at the plate in the bottom of the third.
In the top of the fourth, the Irish forced another leadoff groundout. After a hit by pitch and a flyout, Bedford dealt his first strikeout to end the top half-inning.
Leading off in the bottom of the fourth, Penney launched a solo homer into right field, opening up the scoring for the Irish and tying the existing program single-season home run record at 79. Moreno earned a walk and advanced to second on a groundout, then continued to third on a throwing error. A Baumgardt single drove in Moreno, bringing the score to 2-0. Another single by DH Tito Flores pushed Baumgardt into scoring position, then a Gumpf sacrifice fly brought him home to put the Irish up 3-0. A foul out brought the fourth to a close.
After giving up a leadoff homer and then a single in the fifth, Bedford responded by delivering another strikeout. The Rockets drew a walk, but fouled out on the next at-bat. Another walk and subsequent groundout sent the game to the bottom half of the inning with the Irish leading 3-1.
Leading off in the bottom of the fifth, OF TJ Williams reached base on a hit by pitch, then took-off to steal second. Glancy singled to bring Williams to third. Penney then blasted a three-run homer – his second home run of the game – to stretch the Irish lead to 6-1, breaking the program’s single-season team record. The next three batters were sat to end the inning.
RHP Bennett Flynn took the mound for Bedford to begin the sixth. After drawing a walk, the Toledo runner was able to advance on a throwing error. Flynn struck out the next batter. The Rockets managed to score on a sacrifice fly, making it a 6-2 game. Flynn then delivered his second strikeout to send the inning to the bottom half.
After a leadoff groundout, Gumpf rocketed a homer to right field, bringing the lead to 7-2. A Lindwedel single and Williams walk put two on base for the Irish. After a strikeout, Penney earned another walk. A flyout ended the inning.
The Irish defense held strong in the seventh. After a hit by pitch, Flynn dealt a three-pitch strikeout, his third K of the day. The Irish then turned a double play – a combined effort from Flynn, Penney and Hincks. In the top of the seventh, Hincks drew a walk to lead off, then Baumgardt reached on a fielder’s choice, tagging Hincks out. A pair of flyouts moved the game to the eighth.
After a single, Flynn delivered his fourth strikeout. Glancy retired the next batter on a flyout to left field. The Rockets hit another single, but Flynn then struck out the next batter to shut the Rockets down. The first two Irish batters were sat in the bottom of the eighth. Glancy drew a walk on a full count, then Penney slammed a double to bring him home, extending the Irish lead to 8-2. A groundout ended the inning.
Flynn struck out his sixth batter to lead off the top of the ninth then forced a groundout to sit the first two batters. After a double and a walk, Flynn took care of business, tacking on a final three-pitch strikeout, his seventh, to put the game away.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame and Toledo will conclude the weekend series on Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m. ET at Frank Eck Stadium. Sunday’s game will be the final regular season home game of the 2024 season.