ATLANTA, Ga. – The University of Notre Dame softball team carried a two-run lead into the seventh inning, but couldn’t hold off one of the most powerful offenses in the country Friday night as the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets defeated the Fighting Irish 7-5 at Mewborn Field.
Micaela Kastor started in the circle, throwing into the seventh inning. The sophomore threw 6-plus innings, allowing eight hits, five earned runs and striking out four. Shannon Becker took over in the circle, getting the first two hitters she faced out, one via the strikeout while suffering the loss.
The Irish offense rallied for six hits in the contest, led by a 2-for-3 performance from Addison Amaral. Amaral finished with a homer, a double, three RBI and scored twice. Anna Holloway added a two-hit effort, scoring a run. Carlli Kloss and Emily Tran added singles, with Karina Gaskins drawing a walk and scoring a run.
How It Happened
The Yellowjackets took the lead in the bottom of the first, getting a lead off walk and a homer to take the early 2-0 advantage. Georgia Tech added to its lead in the second with a solo homer to lead off the inning.
The Irish rallied to tie it up in the third. A single from Holloway turned the lineup over and a single from Kloss put two on. Tran laid down the sacrifice and Amaral delivered with a three-run homer to right field to tie iit at three each.
Amaral took the lead for Notre Dame in the top of the sixth. Gaskins led off and drew a four-pitch walk. Amaral delivered a double down the left field line that was misplayed, allowing her to take third and Gaskins to score. A wild pitch brought in Amaral and the Irish took the 5-3 after the top of the sixth.
Georgia Tech rallied for the win in the seventh. An infield single started the frame before a homer tied the game at five. A pitching change saw the Irish get a pair of outs before giving up a single. Emma Minghini connected for the second two-run homer of the inning to give the Yellowjackets the 7-5 lead.
Up Next
The Irish and Yellowjackets return to Mewborn field tomorrow evening as game two of the ACC series is scheduled for a 5 p.m. first pitch.