DURHAM, N.C. – The University of Notre Dame softball team saw its two-run lead erased in the bottom of the seventh inning, falling to the #12/14 Duke Blue Devils Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Irish fought back to take the lead in the top of the final inning, but the Blue Devil offense rallied in the bottom of the inning to secure the win. The Irish fall to 11-6 on the season, and 1-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference action.
Payton Tidd got the start in the circle. The graduate student threw every pitch for the Irish in the game, working into the seventh inning. She limited Duke to five hits, and four runs while striking out five.
The Irish offense had just three hits in the contest. Tidd, Joley Mitchell and Mickey Winchell each added a hit, with Mitchell’s being the loudest with a three-run home run. Her first of the season.
How It Happened
After two scoreless innings, the Blue Devils got on the board. With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Samantha Goddard hit a solo home run to go up 1-0.
Notre Dame took its first lead of the game in the top of the seventh inning. After a fielding error put a runner on, Tidd helped herself with a single up the middle to put two on the bases. On a 1-2 count, Mitchell connected for a three-run home run to take the lead at 3-1.
Duke had an answer in the bottom of the frame. After a single and a walk put two on, Anna Gold homered to right center to give the Blue Devils the walk-off 4-3 victory.
Up Next
The Irish are back in action next Friday as they return to the North Carolina Triangle, taking on NC State in a three-game series.