April 12, 2014
CHICAGO, Ill. – Nine innings weren’t enough for game one of an Atlantic Coast Conference series between the University of Notre Dame and Boston College Friday night at Cougar Stadium on the campus of Chicago State University. After neither team could plate more than a run in the first part of the game, the Eagles scored three runs in the top of the 11th to secure a 4-1 win over the Irish to open the three-game series.
After neither team could cross the dish in the seventh, eighth, ninth or 10th innings, the Eagles finally broke open the contest in the top of the 11th. Irish reliever Donnie Hissa (0-2) had thrown two solid innings in place of starter Sean Fitzgerald, but ran into some trouble in the top of the 11th. After a lead-off walk and a single, a sac bunt moved both base runners into scoring position and sent Hissa to the dugout. Junior RHP Cristian Torres issued a walk against his only batter and reliever Matt Ternowchek was brought in to try and limit the damage with the bases loaded and only one out. In the first at-bat, a high chopper from Gabriel Hernandez to third base resulted in an infield single that scored one run. The next batter Blake Butera knocked a double to left center field to plate two more and give BC a three-run lead.
Notre Dame went down in order in the bottom of the 11th to give the visitors a 4-1 win.
The Irish produced only one run on five hits in the contest after scoring six or more runs in three of their last five games. The effort spoiled a solid showing by Fitzgerald, who went eight innings and gave up a run on seven hits to tally his seventh quality start of the season. He also walked two and struck out six on 116 pitches.
His counterpart on the mound, John Gorman, gave up a run on four hits in six innings of work to also earn a no-decision. Once he left, the Eagle bullpen consisting of Jesse Adams and Luke Fernandes held the Irish in check for the remainder of the contest. They combined to give up just one hit in five innings of work and averaged just 10 pitches per inning. Fernandes (2-1) was awarded the win.
Tallying hits for Notre Dame were Blaise Lezynski, Kyle Fiala, Cavan Biggio, Robert Youngdahl and Lane Richards. Leadoff hitter Conor Biggio drew the lone two walks that BC allowed on the night.
The Irish scored their one run in the sixth inning on a Zak Kutsulis ground out to second that brought home Lezynski.
Boston College scored the game’s first run in the third inning on a Joe Cronin double to left center that scored Butera.
Notre Dame and Boston College will finish up their three-game series on Saturday as the two teams will play a doubleheader at Cougar Stadium beginning at 1:05 p.m. (CT). Rain in Sunday’s forecast was the reason behind the added doubleheader. As a reminder to fans, all ticket revenue earned during the weekend will go directly to the Pete Frates #3 Fund.
Both games of the doubleheader can be followed on gametracker and WatchND/103.1 FM.
–Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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