ATLANTA, Ga. – The University of Notre Dame softball team battled back to take the series finale with the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets Sunday afternoon in Atlanta. The Fighting Irish saw a two-run lead erased in the fifth, but rallied to score a pair to take the lead in the sixth. Micaela Kastor held off one of the nation’s most powerful lineups as the Irish earned the 6-5 victory to improve to 16-10 overall, and 2-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Alexis Laudenslager got the start in the circle for the second-consecutive game. The graduate transfer threw 4.2 innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs and struck out four before giving way to Kastor. Kastor earned the win, throwing the final 2.1 innings, scattering a pair of hits and allowing two earned runs.
Cassidy Grimm paced the Irish offense, finishing 3-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored, two doubles and a sacrifice bunt. Emily Tran, Addison Amaral, Rachel Allen, Mac Vasquez and Mickey Winchell each added hits in the contest. Allen and Vasquez finished with an RBI and two RBI, respectively.
How It Happened
Georgia Tech got the long ball going in the first inning, getting a one-out single following with a homer to put the Yellowjackets up 2-0.
Both teams went scoreless in the second and third innings before the Irish offense got rolling in the fourth. Karina Gaskins led off with a walk, as a single and a fielder’s choice put two on. Grimm drove a double down the right field line to score two and tie the game. Allen followed with a double to give the Irish the 3-2 advantage before Winchell singled and it kicked away from the Georgia Tech center fielder, allowing Allen to score and the Irish to take the 4-2 lead.
The Yellowjackets battled back with two outs in the fifth inning. A single through the left side and a walk put two on. Mallorie Black hit the three-run homer to regain the lead at 5-4.
Notre Dame battled back in the sixth to score a pair. Grimm led off with a double and went to third when Allen reached on a throwing error before being lifted for a pinch runner. Mikayla LaPlaca came on to run and stole second base with Vasquez pinch hitting. Vasquez battled, turning around the full count offering for a single up the middle to plate pair and put the Irish back in front, 6-5.
Kastor held Georgia Tech off the board in the sixth, sitting the Yellowjackets down in order. The seventh inning wouldn’t go as smoothly for the Irish. An infield single to lead off the inning got the drama started. A sacrifice bunt moved the tying run 120 feet from home. Kastor took care of a ground ball for the second out before back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Kastor came right at the Georgia Tech cleanup hitter who bounced a grounder to Grimm at third who stepped on the base for the final out to give the Irish the series.
Up Next
The Irish return home for a match up with the Michigan State Spartans at Melissa Cook Stadium on Tuesday, March 19th at 5 p.m.