SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The eighth-ranked Notre Dame baseball team (29-10) had not played a game in 10 days but showed no signs of rust at the plate with a 15-6 win over Michigan State (21-25) Tuesday night at Frank Eck Stadium.
The Irish scored in double-digits for the third-straight game and finished off their home midweek slate with a record of 7-0 in those games. Notre Dame had two big innings in the win, six runs in the third to open the scoring and five in the seventh to put the game away.
A trio of Irish led the way with three hits. Brooks Coetzee III, Jack Zyska and David LaManna all had a team-high three hits in the win. Coetzee, Ryan Cole and Carter Putz had a team-high three runs that tied a career high for all three guys. Zyska tied a career high with the three hits.
Jack Findlay had the best start of his young career against the Spartans. He set career highs with 4.0 innings pitched and eight strikeouts. He only allowed two runners to reach base and did not allow a hit as he collected his fifth win of the season.
How It Happened
The Irish offense broke through in a big way in the third, scoring six runs in the frame. It started with the two-run blast from Cole for the first two runs of the game. Zyska and LaManna hit back-to-back doubles that scored a total of three runs. The final run of the inning scored on a bases-loaded walk by Spencer Myers. After three frames, the Irish led 6-0.
The Irish added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jared Miller singled to left and scored two runners on the play. The Irish held an 8-0 lead after four innings.
Michigan State got a run back in the fifth and cut into the deficit at 8-1.
Sophomore Matt Bedford made his first career appearance against the Spartans Tuesday night. He tossed two innings and struck out one on his outing.
The Spartans scored three in the seventh and cut the lead in half to 8-4.
The Irish responded with their second big inning of the night to put the game out of reach. Notre Dame plated five runs in the inning and it started with an RBI single from Coetzee. Putz and Zyska hit back-to-back doubles and scored three more runs in the frame. LaManna capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI single that scored one. LaManna and Coetzee led the way with a team-high three RBI.
Coetzee drove in the other two runs in the eighth with a two-run home run. His blast was the final tally on the scoreboard and his ninth home run of the season to lead the team.
Up Next
The Irish are set for their final home ACC weekend of the series when they welcome Pitt to Frank Eck Stadium. The Irish and Panthers will open the three-game set Friday night at 6 p.m. ET. Friday’s game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra and the final two games of the series will be aired nationally on ACC Network. The Irish will host Degree Day on Saturday to honor their senior and graduate class prior to the game.
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