SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The University of Notre Dame baseball team jumped out to a quick start in the 2019 Alamo Irish Classic, defeating Eastern Michigan 11-3 at Nelson Wolff Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The Irish (1-3) opened the scoring in the first inning, putting two on the scoreboard to gain an early lead. After the Eagles (0-4-1) tied the game, Notre Dame broke the game open with five runs in the fifth and three in the sixth en route to its first win of the season.
Tommy Sheehan and Daniel Jung both had career days against the Eagles. Sheehan bounced back from last weekend, going seven innings and striking out eight, both career highs. Jung continued his hot start to the season, going 3-for-5 on the afternoon and drove in a career-high six RBI. It was the most RBI by an Irish player in a game since Eric Gilgenbach had seven last season against LSU (2/18/18).
“I woke up feeling alive today!” -1B Daniel Jung after his and @TommySheehan_ stellar performances in today’s win! ☘️#GoIrish #PassTheShillelagh pic.twitter.com/zTtEYiTKAG
— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) February 21, 2019
How It Happened
The Irish got off to a quick start, scoring the first run just two batters into the bottom of the first. Spencer Myers worked a four-pitch walk and Jung followed it up with a double down the left field line. Myers was off on contact and beat the throw home to score. The Irish tallied another run in the inning when Jared Miller put on a perfect bunt down the third base line, beat it out for a single and Jung came home to score.
Eastern Michigan rallied in the top half of the third. The Eagles strung together a few hits and the game was tied at two.
The lead did not last long as the Irish jumped back in front in the bottom half of the third. Myers led the inning off with a single and Gilgenbach drove him in to regain the lead for the Irish.
The Eagles were threatening again in the top half of the fifth inning. With runners on the corners and one out, Eastern Michigan was on the verge of tying the game. Bolton hit a screamer up the middle but Miller made a diving stop to his left, flipped it to Putz at second and he turned the double play to get out of the inning.
The very next inning, the Irish broke the game open. With the bases loaded and just one out, Myers singled up the middle to score the first run of the inning. Next, Jung hit a rope down the right field line that cleared the bases and he slid into third for his first career triple. Jung scored on Kavadas’ sac fly and the Irish held an 8-3 lead at the end of the inning.
In the top half of the seventh, Sheehan finished off his career day. After eclipsing the 100 pitch mark the lefty recorded two more strikeouts, including the final out of the inning, for his longest outing of his career.
Jung had another run producing opportunity in the bottom half of the inning. With runners on second and third, he singled to right and both runners scored.
Game Notes
- Junior Daniel Jung set a career high with six RBI, the most in a game since Eric Gilgenbach had seven against LSU on Feb. 18, 2018.
- Jung also tied a career high with three hits and recorded his first career triple.
- LHP Tommy Sheehan set a career high with seven innings pitched and eight strikeouts.
- Ryan Cole went 2-for-3 with a triple, two walks and two stolen bases. He reached base a career-high four times and his two stolen bases also set a career high.
- Cole Kmet struck out the side in his one inning of work, his second straight scoreless appearance out of the bullpen.
Up Next
Notre Dame will play twice tomorrow for the second day of action at the Alamo Irish Classic. The Irish will square off with Eastern Michigan at 3 p.m. ET and then take on Incarnate Word for the second game, which is schedule to begin at 7 p.m. ET.
For a behind-the-scenes look at the Irish baseball program, follow @NDBaseball on Twitter and @NotreDameBaseball on Instagram. For tickets to an Irish baseball game, click here.
–ND–