Irish Drop Series Finale in Extra Innings

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Despite a 10-inning battle, the Notre Dame Softball Team came up just short in Sunday’s finale against 22nd-ranked Virginia, falling 4-6. The Irish are now 16-20 on the year and 4-8 in ACC play.

It was a pitcher’s duel through the first seven innings. Kami Kamzik got the start for Notre Dame and was terrific, going five innings, allowing just one hit and one run. The sophomore showed a lot of poise in the circle, only allowing two free passes and recording five hitless innings.

The Irish struck first in the bottom of the second off a line drive home run to center field by Rachel Allen. Allen had five hits over the weekend.

Down 2-1 in the eighth, Addison Amaral stepped into the box and blasted a solo home run to right field to tie the game and send it to the ninth. It was the fifth of the year for Amaral, who went 2/4 on the day. The shortstop increased her batting average to .385 on the season.

Notre Dame countered Virginia again in the bottom of the ninth when Kaia Cortes lined a ball into center field that scored Sydny Poeck and Emily Tran. Tran, who was initially ruled out, was deemed safe after video review showed obstruction was committed by the Virginia catcher. Both runs came with two outs.

The Cavaliers got the final blow in the top of the tenth on a two-run homer. Virginia salvaged the finale of the series after dropping the first two.

Poeck continued her hot streak at the plate, reaching three times (single, double, walk) to extend her on-base streak to 15 games. She’s now batting .341 on the season.

Notre Dame will be back on the road Tuesday when the Irish head to face Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus. The Irish return to Melissa Cook Stadium next weekend for the annual Strikeout Cancer Series against Pittsburgh.