MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – After trailing 7-1 in the third inning, the Fighting Irish scored seven unanswered runs for the come from behind victory over the UT Martin Skyhawks Friday afternoon. The University of Notre Dame softball team improves to 6-4 on the year with the victory. Graduate student Payton Tidd took care of business in the circle over the final four innings, setting up the Irish offense to come all the way back for the win.
Shannon Becker got the start in the circle, throwing 2.2 innings in a no-decision. The sophomore allowed four hits, five runs, four earned and struck out three. Tidd came in and got things under control in the third inning. The graduate student earned the win, throwing 4.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and struck out five. Tidd didn’t allow a run after the third inning as the Irish rallied from six down for the win.
The Irish offense knocked out 13 hits in the victory. Six players had two hits each, led by a 2-for-4 effort from clean-up hitter Lexi Orozco. Orozco drove in the tying runs with her third home run of the season in the fifth. Jane Kronenberger added two hits and two RBI, while Carlli Kloss finished with two runs scored and a double.
How It Happened
Notre Dame got on the board first in the top of the second inning. Mitchell led off with walk and stole second. Back-to-back ground outs from Miranda Johnson and Anna Holloway drove the run in as the Irish took an early lead.
UT Martin rallied in their half of the second, scoring two runs. The lead-off Skyhawk was hit by a pitch and moved up after a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved them into scoring position as a hit and an error brought in the two runs as UT Martin took the lead 2-1 after two innings.
The Skyhawks rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the third. With two outs, UT Martin connected for five-consecutive singles to take the 7-1 lead.
The Irish responded in the fourth, plating three runs. Walks to Hanks and Johnson put two on as Holloway singled through the left side to load the bases. Mickey Winchell drove in a run with a ground out to the right side, and Kronenberger drove in a pair with a single to left as the Irish cut the lead down to 7-4.
Notre Dame kept the rally going, scoring three in the fifth. Kloss reached with a hit by pitch and Gaskins drew a walk to put two on. Orozco homered to center field to drive in three and tie the game at seven all.
The Irish finally got back on top in the top of the sixth. Kloss singled and moved up with an Orozco single. Leea Hanks drove in the eventual game-winning run with a single back up the middle.
Tidd locked it down again in the sixth and seventh, allowing a base runner in each, but not allowing the Skyhawks past first base.
Up Next
The Irish return to R.O.C. Park tomorrow morning for a split doubleheader with FIU and Siena. The first matchup with the Panthers is set for an 11 a.m. first pitch, followed by a 1:30 p.m. first pitch time against the Saints.