Box Score (PDF)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame baseball team took the lead in the fifth and never let go of it in an 8-6 win over visiting Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday night.
The Irish struck first as Carson Tinney used a ground-rule double in the bottom of the first to drive in Jared Zimbardo. The Mastodons equalized with a lead-off home run in the top of the third and gained a 3-1 lead later in the inning off of three more hits.
Notre Dame broke through with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jared Zimbardo led off with a double down the left field line, and Carson Tinney’s bat remained hot with a single to the outfield to drive in Zimbardo. Bino Watters laced a single up the middle, and Davis Johnson put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Tinney and Watters into scoring position. Parker Brzustewicz drove in Tinney with a ground out to tie the game at 3-3. Connor Hincks drove a ground-rule double over the right-center wall as Watters came in to score on the play, and Estevan Moreno added the third double of the inning to drive in Hincks for a 5-3 lead.
Jayce Lee made a long run before collecting a key sliding out in left field, but Purdue Fort Wayne got a run back in the top of the sixth before Justin Mayes Jr. induced a fly out to end the inning.
The Irish came right back with two runs in the bottom half of the sixth. Jayce Lee hit a lead-off single, and Jared Zimbardo drew a walk to put a pair on base. Carson Tinney had his third hit of the game with a single to the outfield to load the bases. Bino Watters drew a four-pitch walk to plate Lee, and Davis Johnson used a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Zimbardo for a 7-4 lead.
The Mastodons pushed two runs across in the top of the seventh before back-t0-back Chase Van Ameyde strikeouts ended the inning. Ricky Reeth entered the game in the top of the eighth and used a strong pick-off move to cut down the lone runner he allowed on base. Bino Watters then delivered a big solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to give the Irish the momentum for good. Reeth made quick work of the Mastodons in the top of the ninth as he struck out the side to earn the save.
Carson Tinney went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, two RBI, and a run. Bino Watters was 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks, two RBI, and two runs scored. Jared Zimbardo was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and three runs. Connor Hincks and Estevan Moreno each had a double and an RBI while Hincks added a run and a walk. Parker Brzustewicz collected a hit and an RBI, and Jayce Lee had a hit and scored a run.
Dylan Heine had a no-decision in the start with 2.1 innings pitched and a strikeout. Brady Koester, Xavier Hirsch, Justin Mayes Jr., Chase Van Ameyde, and Ricky Reeth all saw time on the hill. Hirsch earned the win after going 2.2 innings with a career-best three strikeouts. Chase Van Ameyde recorded three strikeouts, and Ricky Reeth earned the save over the final 2.0 innings and struck out three while not surrendering a hit.
The Irish (21-17) are back at home this weekend to host Cal for a three-game series. Game one is slated for Friday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. All home regular season baseball games are free to attend.