SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Valparaiso Beacons in an 8-4 win in their home opener at Frank Eck Stadium on Tuesday, March 21. The Irish advance to 10-8 on the season after today’s midweek matchup as they prepare to host the No. 2 Louisville Cardinals in their first conference series at home this weekend.
How it Happened
The Beacons put their first run of the day on the board in the first inning and took the lead 2-0 in the top of the third, while the Irish were still looking for their first hit of the day.
In the bottom of the third, TJ Williams led off the inning with a single to left field, but was caught stealing on the next play with Coetzee up to the plate. Coetzee followed with a fly out to right field with Zack Prajzner was due up for the Irish. Prajzner launched the ball to deep left field for his first home run of the year and to put the Irish on the board.
Trailing 2-1 heading into the fourth, the Irish held the Beacons scoreless in the top of the inning. Carter Putz led off the bottom of the fourth and reached via a walk, followed by a Jack Penney double down the right field line to put both Putz and Penney in scoring position. Jack Zyska was at the plate and hungry for a hit as he sent the ball over the fence in left field for a three-run home run. Zyska’s first home run of the year gave the Irish the 4-2 advantage heading into the top of the inning.
After a scoreless fifth and sixth for the Irish and the Beacons, Valpo was able to tie it up after scoring two runs in the top of the seventh. A single through the right side and a walked batter put runners on first and second for the Beacons. A double down the right field line would score both of them to tie it up at 4-4.
Prajzner would start the top of the seventh with a walk, but Danny Neri would advance him on a sac bunt to the third baseman to put Prajzner in scoring position. Putz ripped a ball down the middle for a base hit and recorded an RBI as he sent Prajzner home to take the lead 5-4. Penney followed with a single to left field as he advanced Putz to second. Zyska was walked and it was bases loaded for the Irish. Nick Juaire had a big-time single through the right side to send home both Penney and Putz and extend the Notre Dame lead to 7-4.
Brady Gumpf came in as a pinch runner for Juaire. As he went to steal second, the Beacons tried to catch him stealing and while Gumpf was safe on the attempt, Zyska would steal home as the play unfolded to add on the fourth run of the inning.
The Irish held the Beacons scoreless in the eighth and ninth, going three up, three down to close the game and take home the 8-4 win at Frank Eck.
David Lally Jr. made his second career start on the mound, throwing 2.1 innings and allowing two runs off of five hits. He was relieved in the third inning by Carter Bosch, who recorded a season-high six strikeouts across 3.2 innings and gave up no runs while allowing only two hits. Sammy Cooper came in to close in the top of the seventh, taking home his second win of the season.
Up Next
The Irish will resume conference play as they host No. 2 Louisville for a three-game series starting Friday, March 24 at Frank Eck.