DURHAM, N.C.— The fourth-ranked Notre Dame baseball team (21-8) dropped its series finale at Duke, 6-2, on Saturday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field.
Designated hitter Jack Zyska drove in both runs for the Irish, while shortstop Zack Prajzner led the Notre Dame offense with two singles on the afternoon.
Starting pitcher, Austin Temple, took the loss for the Irish. Temple gave up three runs on four hits in his three innings on the mound.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Duke jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Blue Devils shortstop Alex Mooney crossed the plate on an RBI from third baseman Graham Pauley.
The two teams were scoreless in the second and third innings, before Duke scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Catcher Andrew Yu singled up the middle to drive in left fielder RJ Schreck. Right fielder Damon Lux then homered, bringing in Yu to push the Blue Devils to a 4-0 lead heading into the fifth inning.
Duke recorded a run in the bottom of the fifth when first baseman Luke Storm scored an unearned run on a Notre Dame throwing error. The Blue Devils added another tally in the sixth when Storm brought home center fielder Devin Obee on a sacrifice fly.
Notre Dame came back to score two runs in the top of the ninth, before the Irish rally was halted. First baseman Ryan Cole tripled to open the inning and right fielder Brooks Coetzee III was hit by a pitch to give the Irish runners at first and third. Zyska singled, driving in the two runs.
UP NEXT
The Irish return home to start another homestand on Tuesday. The Irish have two midweek matchups on deck from Frank Eck Stadium starting with Valpo on Tuesday. The Irish and Beacons will meet for the second time this season as Tuesday’s game is set for a 5 p.m. ET first pitch. Admission is free for all fans at Frank Eck Stadium this year.
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