SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball team earned a 4-1 win over the visiting Central Michigan Chippewas Wednesday night at Melissa Cook Stadium. Payton Tidd took over in the circle in the top of the fourth inning, not allowing a baserunner over the final four innings to earn the win. The Irish offense broke through late to take the lead and earn the team’s 25th win of the season, improving to 25-6.
Shannon Becker started in the circle, throwing 3.0 innings. She allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out three. Tidd took over and dominated, throwing 4.0 innings without allowing a baserunner and striking out four.
The offense had five players earn base hits in the victory. Brooke Marquez finished 1-for-3, hitting her second home run of the season, the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth. Leea Hanks, Abby Sweet, Karina Gaskins and Jane Kronenberger all added a hit. Kronenberger, Carlli Kloss and Tidd each added an RBI.
The Irish got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Two walks, a fielder’s choice and a stolen base put runners in scoring position. Kloss drove a fly ball to right that was deep enough to score Kronenberger and the Irish took the 1-0 lead.
Central Michigan got the run back in their next half inning. A one-out single was followed with a walk before Michaleigh Vallimont singled to left. The throw home appeared to be in time, but the runner dodged the tag and was called safe, knotting the contest at one.
Marquez put the Irish ahead in the bottom of the fifth as she lifted a 1-0 pitch to the trees in left for her second home run of the season.
Notre Dame tacked on two more in the sixth with RBI from Kronenberger and Tidd for some breathing room heading into the seventh.
Tidd retired the side in order in the seventh to hold on to the victory.
Up Next
The Irish return to the diamond this weekend as they host the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets for a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series. The Irish are also hosting their annual Strikeout Cancer event throughout the weekend with a variety of events and activities around the games.