SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball dropped an 11-2 contest to No. 4 Florida State Saturday afternoon. Prior to the contest, the Irish recognized their five seniors and two graduate students in a pregame ceremony. Brooke Marquez, Leea Hanks, Lexi Orozco, Macie Eck, Payton Tidd, Miranda Johnson and Joley Mitchell were all recognized before first pitch. The Fighting Irish fall to 29-15-1 on the season, and 11-11-1 in conference play. Florida State improves to 42-8 overall and 18-2 in league play.
Micaela Kastor started in the circle, but couldn’t get out of the first inning. The freshman allowed six hits, six earned runs and a strikeout before exiting. Shannon Becker was on in relief. The sophomore threw 4.2 innings, allowing five hits, five earned runs and struck out three.
The Irish offense was paced by a 2-for-3 effort from Orozco. Gaskins added an RBI single, as Mitchell and Carlli Kloss each singled in the contest.
How It Happened
Florida State jumped on the Irish in the first inning, scoring six runs on six hits, capped by a three-run home run.
The Irish got a run back in the bottom of the first. Kloss led off with a single and too second on a ground out. Gaskins drove a ball up the middle to bring the run in.
The Seminoles added three more runs in the top of the third with a three-run homer.
Notre Dame added a run in the third. A single from Mitchell and a stolen base put her in scoring position. Orozco lifted a double to right center to cut the lead to 9-2.
FSU added solo runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings as Notre Dame couldn’t come within the eight runs to extend the game.
Up Next
The Irish and Seminoles conclude the series tomorrow at noon at Melissa Cook Stadium.