BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Notre Dame claimed the series win over UAB today after defeating the Blazers 7-3 in game two at Young Memorial Field. The Irish defeated the Blazers 7-2 yesterday in game one and will look for the series sweep as they play game three at 1:00 CT tomorrow.
How it happened
The first three innings were scoreless for both the Irish and the Blazers, until the Notre Dame offense was able to pick up some momentum in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back singles from Zack Prajzner and Brooks Coetzee put runners on first and third for the Irish with Carter Putz up to the plate. Coetzee was able to steal second while the third strike was called on Putz, putting two runners in scoring position. Vinny Martinez followed with a sac bunt to score Prajzner and the Irish took the lead 1-0.
The Blazers responded with a three-run homerun to take the lead 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, but the top of the sixth proved to be the best offensive outing of the game for the Irish. Coetzee reached first after being hit by the pitch and Putz followed with an infield single. With runners on first and second, Martinez reached on a fielder’s choice making it bases loaded for Notre Dame. In the next at bat, Penney reached first via a walk and scored Coetzee to make it a 3-2 ball game.
With bases loaded, Nick Juaire recorded a two RBI single up the middle to score both Putz and Martinez and the Irish regained the lead 4-3. Estevan Moreno stepped up to the plate looking to do some damage and recorded his first career home run out to left field to add three more runs to the board for Notre Dame. Bringing in Penney, Juaire, and Moreno, the Irish took the 7-3 advantage heading into the seventh.
The final three innings would remain scoreless for Notre Dame and UAB and the Irish would only tally one more hit in the game as Prajzner added another infield single at the top of the seventh.
Blake Hely (0-1) started on the mound for the Irish and pitched 3.2 innings. In his third start of the season, Hely gave up three hits and finished with four strikeouts. Will Mercer (1-0) relieved Hely in the fourth and pitched 2.1 innings, giving up two hits and three runs and finished with three strikeouts on the day. Sammy Cooper closed it out, pitching 3.0 innings and only giving up one hit. Mercer would earn his first win of the season in today’s 7-3 victory and Sammy Cooper would take home his first save of the season.
Up Next
The Irish are back at Young Memorial Field tomorrow for the final game of the three-game series at UAB. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM ET (1:00 PM CT).