HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The University of Notre Dame softball team snapped a three-game losing skid Friday afternoon at Dot Hicks Field in Huntington, West Virginia. The Fighting Irish got a dominant start from junior Shannon Becker, and rode a strong first inning to a 5-2 win over the Indiana State Sycamores to open play at the Marshall March Madness tournament, hosted by Marshall.
Shannon Becker got the start in the circle, throwing 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits as she earned the win. Kami Kamzik threw the final 2.0 innings, allowing three hits, two unearned runs and picked up a strikeout.
Addi Amaral led the Irish offense, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBI, a run scored and a double. Emily Tran added a single and scored a run. Mickey Winchell finished 1-for-2 with a walk and scored twice. Cassidy Grimm and Jane Kronenberger added singles, with Grimm driving in a run.
How It Happened
The Irish jumped on top early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Kloss led off and was hit by a pitch before stealing second. Tran singled to put runners on the corners before stealing second on her own to put two in scoring position. Amaral drove a single to center to plate the pair and put Notre Dame up early. Winchell followed with a single of her own that skipped away from the Indiana State center fielder, scoring Amaral and putting Winchell on third. A wild pitch allowed Winchell to score and the Irish took the early 4-0 lead.
Notre Dame tacked on a run in the third with a two out rally. With two away, Winchell singled and stole second as Grimm followed with a single of her own to score Winchell and put the Irish up 5-0.
Indiana State took advantage of an Irish error to score two in the seventh, but Kamzik locked in and got a ground ball to retire the threat and secure the win.
Next Up
The Irish are back in action Friday night as they take on the host Thundering Herd, scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start.