Biggio Delivers in Comeback Victory over James Madison

LYNCHBURG, Va. – After waiting eight hours after the originally scheduled game time and facing a new opponent, the Irish used a four-run sixth inning to earn a 5-2 victory over James Madison Friday night at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium. It’s the eighth-consecutive win for the Fighting Irish as they improve to 13-3 on the season. The James Madison Dukes fall to 3-6 on the season.

Payton Tidd threw a complete game in the circle, surrendering just three hits, two earned runs and struck out a season-best eight hitters.

The Irish offense had seven earn a base hit as Quinn Biggio delivered the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman Jane Kronenberger added a pinch-hit two-run homer for her first collegiate hit to add some insurance. Abby Sweet finished 1-for-3 with a double and scored a run. Leea Hanks, Miranda Johnson and Sarah Genz each added a hit.

JMU took the lead in the top of the third inning as Hannah Shifflett hit a two-run home run to left field.

The Irish got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Sweet led off the inning with a double, moved up when Hanks ground out to the right side and scored on a wild pitch.

Notre Dame kept the pressure on, taking the lead in the sixth. Johnson singled and reached second when the JMU defense couldn’t handle a ball up the middle. Biggio fought and drove a 1-2 pitch to left to score two and put the Irish up 3-2. Kronenberger pinch hit and delivered with a home run to left field to go up 5-2.

Tidd surrendered a lead off hit in the top of the seventh, but retired the next three she faced to secure the victory.

Up Next

The Irish will play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 2 p.m. Notre Dame will take on George Washington at 2 p.m. before matching up with the host Liberty Flames at 4 p.m.