| Date | Opponent | Site | Broadcast | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | #6/10 Florida State | Tallahassee, Fla. | ACCNX | 6:00 PM ET |
| April 3 | #6/10 Florida State | Tallahassee, Fla. | ACCNX | 6:00 PM ET |
| April 4 | #6/10 Florida State | Tallahassee, Fla. | ACC Network | 2:00 PM ET |
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Winners of three of its past four games, the University of Notre Dame softball team heads to the state of Florida for the third time this season when the Irish take on the No. 6/10 Florida State Seminoles for a three-game series starting Thursday, April 2nd and concluding on Saturday, April 4th, moved up a day due to the Easter holiday on Sunday, April 5th.
Game one and two will both take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, being streamed on ACC Network Extra. The series finale Saturday at 2:00 p.m. will be broadcast nationally on ACC Network.
Notre Dame is coming off an 11-3 midweek win in five innings last night against Western Michigan. The 11 runs scored last night were tied for a season-high.
Senior Mickey Winchell and freshman Ava Zachary are two of the hottest hitters in the nation heading into Tallahassee. Winchell has 12 hits in the past four games, hitting .750 from the leadoff spot in those contests. Zachary stuffed the stat sheet last night, posting a pair of hits, a walk, a double, an RBI and three runs scored. The Mishawaka, Indiana product leads the team with a .410 batting average and 20 RBI this season. In conference play, Zachary is hitting .474 in 12 conference games while scoring 12 and stealing four bases against ACC opponents.
HEADED BACK TO FLORIDA
- For the third time this season, Notre Dame heads to the state of Florida (NFCA Leadoff Classic – Clearwater; SpaceU Classic – Orlando)
- The Irish last faced off against Florida State on May 9, 2024 at the ACC Championships. The last time they were in Tallahassee was April 12-14, 2024
- Notre Dame is 7-30 all-time against Florida State and 3-15 in road matchups
- The last Irish win against Florida State was a 7-4 win on the road back on March 16, 2019
- Notre Dame has played 11 games in Florida this year, posting a 3-8 record, including a 5-1 win over #23 Liberty
FRESHMAN PHENOMS
- Ava Zachary has been one of the best newcomers in the conference this season, leading the team with a .410 batting average and 20 RBI. In conference play, Zachary is hitting a blistering .474 with a team-high 18 hits, finding a home in the three-spot of the lineup.
- Hayden Kyne has been a valuable bat for Notre Dame in her first collegiate season. The catcher/designated player has burst out in conference play, hitting .371 with a team-high 13 RBI against ACC foes. Both of Kyne’s home runs this season have come against conference teams. In the last five games, Kyne has driven in 10
- Lily Hagan has provided value in different offensive roles. She’s hitting .333 on the season including one home run and seven RBI. Molly Conner has been used as the primary pinch runner this season, scoring eight runs while providing two stolen bases on the basepaths
SMALL STEPS -> BIG GROWTH
- The Irish have progressed in numerous categories since last year:
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| Batting Average | .265 | .295 |
|
Runs/Game |
3.71 |
3.98 |
|
On base percentage |
.351 |
.382 |
|
SB/Game |
.69 |
1.09 |
|
ERA |
4.81 |
3.98 |
|
WHIP |
1.69 |
1.59 |