SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The eighth-ranked Notre Dame baseball team (30-10, 14-8) got the final home series of the regular season off on the right foot with a 8-3 win over Pitt (26-21, 12-12) Friday night at Frank Eck Stadium. The Irish scored five runs in the first inning and did not look back as they picked up their 30th win of the season.
Brooks Coetzee III had a monster night at the plate. He started the game with hits in his first three at-bats, including a two-run home run in the fourth. It was his second-straight game with a home run and it was his 10th of the year to lead the team. He finished the game 3-of-4 from the plate with two runs and two RBI.
John Michael Bertrand picked up his seventh win of the season in the win. He struck out nine batters and limited the Panther to two runs and no walks in 7.0 innings of work. It was the third start this season for Bertrand in which he did not allow a walk.
How It Happened
Bertrand got off to a fast start as he struck out the side in the top of the first on 13 pitches.
The Irish offense wasted no time at the plate, scoring five runs on five hits in the bottom of the first. Ryan Cole scored the first run of the game after the right fielder misplayed the ball. Then Coetzee scored on a similar play after a single to right from Carter Putz. Putz came home on a double down the left field line from Jack Zyska. Zyska scored later in the inning after Jack Brannigan singled to left field. The final run of the inning was scored by Brannigan after the first baseman tossed the ball down thinking the inning was over and Brannigan scored from third after the ball got away. Once the first inning came to an end, the Irish led 5-0.
The Irish added on to their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Cole got on base after his 17th hit by pitch of the season to bring up Coetzee. He launched a two-run blast over the trees in left for his team-leading 10th home run of the season. It was Coetzee’s second-straight game with a home run and the Irish led 7-0.
Pitt got two runs back in the sixth but Bertrand limited the damage and did not allow them to cut into the lead anymore. After six full innings, the Irish led 7-2.
Bertrand exited after seven strong innings of work against the Panthers. He struck out nine on the night and did not walk a batter. It was the fifth time this season he has pitched 7.0 innings or more and the third time against an ACC opponent.
The Panthers scored in the top of the eighth but the Irish got the run right back in the bottom half of the inning. After reaching on a single, David LaManna scored later in the frame on a wild pitch. Heading into the ninth, the Irish led 8-3.
Up Next
The Irish will be back in action Saturday afternoon in hopes of clinching the series against the Panthers. The middle game of the series is set for 5 p.m. ET start and will be aired nationally on the ACC Network. Saturday is Degree Day for the Irish as the senior and graduate class will be honored prior to the game and will also receive their degrees in the ceremony. Admission is free for all fans this season at Frank Eck Stadium.
—ND—