SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball team used a dominant pitching effort and timely hitting to earn a 4-2 win over the visiting Michigan State Spartans Tuesday evening at Melissa Cook Stadium. Fighting Irish pitching held Michigan State off the scoreboard in all but one inning before rallying in the bottom of the sixth to earn the win. The Irish improved to 17-10 on the season, with Michigan State falling to 12-14.
Shannon Becker got the start in the circle. In total, the junior worked 4.0 innings, scattering three hits and striking out three in a no-decision. Micaela Kastor was the first reliever used, allowing three hits and two earned runs. Alexis Laudenslager got the win, throwing the final 2.0 innings, sitting down all six hitters she faced over the final two frames to hear her seventh win of the season.
Emily Tran paced the Irish offense, finishing with a 2-for-3 performance. Carlli Kloss, Addison Amaral, Jane Kronenberger, Bryn Boznanski and Mickey Winchell each added a hit in the contest. Boznanski drove in a pair with a single in a pinch hit appearance. Kloss, Amaral, Kronenberger and Cassidy Grimm each scored a run in the win.
How It Happened
Michigan State got the scoring started in the third inning, leading off with a solo home run. A single and a hit by pitch put two on as Jenae Wash singled back up the middle to bring in a run, and was thrown out trying to take second base.
After both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth, the Irish finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Kloss led off with a double down the third base line and moved up with a Tran single on the infield. Amaral hit a sharp ground ball, directly at the Michigan State shortstop who couldn’t handle it, bringing in the first run. Kronenberger followed with a single to load the bases. Vasquez stepped in to pinch hit, drawing the walk and tying the game. Boznanski was the next pinch hitter on, driving a single back up the middle to plate two, putting the Irish up 4-2.
Laudenslager took the circle again in the seventh, sitting the Spartans down in order to secure the victory.
Up Next
The Irish stay at home for the first weekend at Melissa Cook Stadium this season. Notre Dame will host the NC State Wolfpack in a three-game series beginning Friday night at 5 p.m.