by Claire DeMeo ’24
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame (20-19) fell short in a midweek matchup against Central Michigan (14-27), 2-0.
It was a quiet day for the Irish bats, with INF Simon Baumgardt recording the sole hit. On the mound, the Irish used five arms, recording a combined six strikeouts. Starting RHP DJ Helwig tied his career-high, pitching three complete innings. RHP Keenan Mork (1-1) bore the loss. Altogether, Notre Dame gave up just three hits on the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both the Irish and the Chippewas held each other to a quick three up, three down in the first inning.
In the second, the Irish defense was able to retire the next three batters in order with Helwig posting his first strikeout of the night to record the third out. After a flyout to lead off in the bottom of the second, INF Connor Hincks drew a walk on a full count. Baumgardt then singled to center field, and both runners were able to advance into scoring position on a groundout. Neither were able to turn home on the ensuing groundout.
The Chippewas grounded out to Helwig to lead off the third inning. After a walk, the runner on base was able to advance all the way to third on a wild pitch and a passed ball on consecutive pitches. The next batter drew a walk, but C Joey Spence and INF Estevan Moreno caught him stealing at second base. Helwig’s second strikeout of the night ended the half-inning. At the plate, the first two Irish batters were retired on a flyout and foul out. OF David Glancy was hit by a pitch to take first base, but an unassisted groundout sent the game into the next inning, still scoreless.
Mork took the mound for Helwig to start the fourth inning. The lead off batter drew a walk on a full count. The next batter grounded out on a sacrifice bunt, and the runner on base advanced to second. Another groundout advanced the runner to third, but Baumgardt made a daring bare-handed grab on the slow ball, dishing to Hincks at first for the out. A walk and then another hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for the Chippewas. Mork gave up a walk on a full count to score one for Central Michigan. RHP Ricky Reeth came into the game in relief of Mork and retired the next batter on a flyout to center field. The Irish were unable to respond on offense, with the next three batters retired in order.
In the fifth inning, OF Brady Gumpf retired the first batter with a spectacular diving catch in right field, laying out to sit the batter down. INF Jack Penney took care of the next out on a grounder. After drawing a walk, the Chippewas flew out, ending the half-inning. In the bottom of the fifth, after a flyout on the first pitch, Gumpf earned a walk, but a flyout and foul out put an end to the inning.
The Chippewas singled to begin the top of the sixth inning. Reeth then dealt a three-pitch strikeout. The next batter doubled, advancing the lead runner to third. Central Michigan then scored on a fielder’s choice to shortstop, making the score 0-2. A groundout got the Irish out of the top half of the inning. Glancy led off for the Irish in the bottom of the sixth, walking on a full count. A groundout brought Glancy to second, but a subsequent strikeout and flyout ended the inning.
RHP Will Jacobsen took the mound for Reeth in the top of the seventh inning. Central Michigan led off with a groundout to Penney for the first out. After a walk, Jacobsen struck out the next Chippewa batter. Another single advanced the runner into scoring position. RHP Nate Hardman came into the game to relieve Jacobsen, entering on a 2-2 count. A groundout sent the Irish back up to back to bat. The next three Irish batters went down in order.
It was a reciprocal eighth inning for both teams. The Irish defense held the Chippewas to another three up, three down, including a six-pitch strikeout for Hardman, but the Chippewas were able to hold the Irish to a three up, three down of their own.
Moving into the ninth inning, after allowing a walk on a full count, the Irish were able to retire the next three Chippewa batters. Penney drew a walk to lead off for the Irish and Moreno then reached on a fielder’s choice that tagged Penney out. Moreno was able to advance to second on a groundout, but a final lineout ended the game.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame is set to face No. 8 Wake Forest at home in a weekend series beginning on Friday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ACCNX.
Saturday, April 27, Notre Dame and Wake Forest will play at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network, and the series finale will be Sunday, April 28 at Noon ET on ACCNX.