CHARLOTTE, N.C. – University of Notre Dame softball had no issues with the Bucknell Bison Saturday night at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium. After a scoreless first inning, the Irish hung crooked numbers in four-straight innings in route to a 12-0 mercy-rule victory. The 4-0 start is the best since the 2011 season when the Irish began the year 9-0.
Shannon Becker threw a complete game shutout, tossing all five innings in the circle. She scattered five hits, striking out six to earn the win.
At the plate, the Irish were led by Miranda Johnson and Joley Mitchell. Johnson finished 3-for-3 with two doubles, four RBI and scored three times. Mitchell finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run, three RBI and a run scored. Leea Hanks, Karina Gaskins, Sarah Genz and Carlli Kloss all logged two hits each. Gaskins drove in three and Kloss and Abby Sweet added an RBI each.
After a scoreless first inning, the visiting Irish broke through in the second. With one out, Johnson doubled to ignite the rally. Mitchell followed with a triple off the left field wall for the early advantage. A fielder’s choice and a double put two on as Sweet legged out an infield single to score Brooke Marquez and put the Irish up 2-0.
Notre Dame followed with three more runs in the third. A lead-off single from Hanks set the stage for a Genz double to put two in scoring position. Johnson connected for her second double in as many at bats to plate a pair. After moving up on a fly out, she scored on a Kloss infield single to extend the lead to 5-0.
Bucknell threatened in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases up with one out, but Becker worked out of the jam, getting a couple pop ups to Johnson at second base to put up another zero.
Again it was Hanks starting the scoring in the fourth. She connected for a triple to center field and scored on a Gaskins single. Genz followed with a single and a double steal put two in scoring position. Johnson roped a single past the first baseman to drive in a pair and extend the lead to 8-0. Mitchell hammered a 1-1 pitch out to left to extend the lead to 10-0. Gaskins put the finishing touches on the contest, driving in two with a double.
Becker went 1-2-3 in the fifth inning as the Irish closed out the contest.
Up Next
The Irish close the Green and Gold Classic tomorrow as they will take on the host 49ers. Charlotte enters Sunday’s contest also having gone 4-0 on the weekend.