SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The University of Notre Dame softball team (19-26, 8-12 ACC) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead against the Syracuse Orange (16-19, 3-12 ACC) and never looked back, winning 9-5. It’s the third series win of the year for Notre Dame, and the second on the road.
The eight conference wins are the most under Kris Ganeff after having seven last year as the Irish inch closer to an ACC Softball Championships berth. The Irish are now 14-0 when scoring six or more runs in a game this season.
The left side of the infield put on a show Saturday. Junior Avery Houlihan had a career-high three hits, including a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. It’s the first of the year for the Irish shortstop and her second career long ball. Houlihan scored and drove in two runs each. Freshman Ava Zachary launched her fifth home run of the year, a missile out to center field that scored Mickey Winchell and made it a four-run game late in the sixth inning. Notre Dame’s third baseman scored three runs to go along with her three RBI. Zachary’s 26 RBI on the year are a team-high.
The pitching duo of Brianne Weiss and Kami Kamzik combined to just allow five hits on the day while striking out five Orange. Weiss picked up the win, improving to 8-8 on the season, while Kamzik picked up her third save of the year.
Notre Dame goes for the sweep tomorrow, with first pitch set for noon eastern on ACCNX.