| Date | Opponent | Site | Broadcast | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 20 | Charleston Southern | UCF Softball Complex | ESPN+ | 9:00 AM ET |
| Feb. 20 | Ohio | UCF Softball Complex | ESPN+ | 5:30 PM ET |
| Feb. 21 | Penn State | UCF Softball Complex | ESPN+ | 2:00 PM ET |
| Feb. 21 | at UCF | UCF Softball Complex | ESPN+ | 4:30 PM ET |
| Feb. 22 | at UCF | UCF Softball Complex | ESPN+ | 11:00 AM ET |
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball team, winners of seven of its past nine games, continues the early season stretch at the SpaceU Classic this weekend, hosted by UCF in Orlando. All five games Notre Dame plays this weekend will be streamed on ESPN+. It’s the second time this month the Irish have ventured to the Sunshine State.
Notre Dame is coming off a 4-1 record at the Purple-Gold Classic last weekend, posting wins over Maryland, East Carolina and a pair of victories over Buffalo.
The Irish have dazzled in the circle early this season, tallying a 2.24 ERA in 11 games. The one-two punch of Kami Kamzik and Micaela Kastor have dominated opposing lineups. Kamzik leads the team with a 1.35 ERA, and has allowed just five walks in 26 innings, an improvement in her command from a season ago. The junior right hander also has thrown two complete games, including a shutout, and notched a save in the win over Buffalo last Sunday. Kastor has struck out 24 batters in 23 innings while also throwing her first career no-hitter earlier this year against North Carolina Central. The senior captain was tabbed to the NFCA Top Performances List of the Week on Monday. Brianne Weiss, the only southpaw in the Irish bullpen, leads the team with 31 strikeouts, which is among the most in the ACC this year.
In the batter’s box, Sydny Poeck leads the way with a .448 batting average this season and has a hit in all nine of her starts this season. Dating back to last year, Poeck has a 26 game on-base streak. Rebecca Eckart leads the team with three home runs and is tied for the team lead in RBI with 10 alongside Olivia Levitt. Caroline O’Brien, who has hit in the leadoff spot 10 times this year, leads the team with 14 base hits. Six Irish have two or more doubles this season, led by starting shortstop Avery Houlihan’s three.
Charleston Southern – Friday, February 20th at 9:00 AM
It’s the first meeting between Notre Dame and Charleston Southern since 2012. The Irish are 2-1 all-time against the Buccaneers.
Ohio – Friday, February 20th at 11:30 AM
Friday’s meeting is the first matchup between Notre Dame and Ohio.
Penn State – Saturday, February 21st at 2:00 PM
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 4-2 over Penn State with all six meetings coming in a neutral venue.
Last year at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, the Irish beat the Nittany Lions 4-2 behind a complete game effort from Kamzik. O’Brien and Kaia Cortes each laced two hits in that win back on February 9, 2025.
UCF – Saturday, February 21st at 4:30 PM; Sunday, February 22nd at 11:00 AM
The Irish face the Knights twice this weekend. Notre Dame is 2-1 all-time against UCF but 1-1 in Orlando. The two programs last clashed back in 2016 at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic in Kissimmee, Florida. Notre Dame won that matchup 5-1.