April 28, 2018
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – An opportunistic Florida State enjoyed a six-run second inning to race out to an early lead, and after solid defensive frames in the field withstood a charge from the University of Notre Dame softball team on Saturday. The No. 8/6 Seminoles ultimately added five runs to their tally as part of an 11-2 win in six innings over the Irish at Melissa Cook Stadium.
How It Happened
Katie Beriont (11-7) and the Notre Dame (30-20, 12-10 ACC) defense got out to a fast start in the top of the first inning against the Florida State (41-9, 18-2 ACC) offense. The Seminoles managed a seeing-eye single in the frame, but a fly ball out to left field and groundouts to the Irish middle infield left the runner aboard.
After Florida State scored six runs in the top of the second inning, Notre Dame looked to answer in the bottom half of the second. Melissa Rochford was hit by a pitch with one out in the Irish half, and then took second base on a wild pitch. A strike three pitch for the Seminoles got away from the Florida State catcher and Rochford looked to score all the way from second, but she was ultimately thrown out at home on a bang-bang play at the plate.
Cait Brooks entered the circle in relief in the top of the third inning and looked sharp against the Florida State order. A strikeout looking with a Seminole runner in scoring position at second base ended the Florida State ups.
Notre Dame found its way onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Sara White worked a four-pitch walk to lead off, and later took third base on a stinging single up the middle off the bat of MK Bonamy. Ali Wester brought White home with an RBI groundout two batters later, allowing the Irish to chip into the lead at 6-1.
A weak, weak infield single to first base was all Florida State could muster against Brooks in the top of the fourth stanza. A groundout to Bonamy all alone at first base and a fly ball out to Abby Sweet in center cancelled out the single.
Morgan Reed narrowly missed a solo home run on the second pitch of the bottom of the fourth inning, flying out to the deepest part of center before the ball got caught in the wind and fell into the glove of the Florida State outfielder. Brooks reached by way of a hit by pitch with one out, and thanks to three separate wild pitches throughout the remainder of the inning came across to score to shave the deficit to 6-2.
A three-run double with two outs in the top of the fifth pushed Florida State ahead 9-2, but Notre Dame would not go quietly in the bottom of the inning. Maddie McCracken earned a well-deserved walk on eight pitches with one out, and although her spot on the bases was put out on a fielder’s choice it set the tone for the Irish. With Ali Wester on first, Sweet grooved a double into the right center gap that pushed the lead runner to third base. The Irish could not capitalize following a groundout to first.
Up Next
Notre Dame and Florida State close the 2018 Irish regular season on Sunday, with first pitch set for noon (ET) at Melissa Cook Stadium. Notre Dame will recognize seniors Sara White, Morgan Reed and Katie Beriont during the game.