Feb. 19, 2011
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Notre Dame failed to take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities in a one-run loss to Michigan State on Friday. Safe to say, the Irish more than made up on Saturday. Notre Dame set BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge single-game records for hits and runs as the Irish routed Purdue, 19-2, at Al Lang Field. The victory was the first for new Notre Dame head coach Mik Aoki.
Notre Dame totaled 19 runs on 25 hits. The 19 runs bested the previous tournament record of 18 set by St. John’s in 2009. The 25 hits bested the previous mark of 24 set by Louisville against Michigan State in 2010. The 17-run margin of victory also established a new challenge record.
The 19 runs, 25 hits and 17-run margin of victory were all the best for the Irish since Mar. 20, 2008 against Georgetown. Notre Dame routed the Hoyas, 25-1, that afternoon and recorded 28 hits.
Junior CF Alex Robinson paced the Irish attack with a career-high five hits. He went 5-for-5 with three runs scored and one RBI. Senior RF Herman Petzold went 3-for-6 with two runs scored and four RBI, including a three-run double. Freshman RF Eric Jagielo went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and four RBI, including a three-run triple. Sophomore C Joe Hudson went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI. Senior DH Matt Scioscia also chipped in with three hits. He went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI.
Senior RHP Cole Johnson picked up the victory. He allowed two earned runs on six hits in 6.0 innings of work. Johnson struck out four and walked two. Freshmen RHP Sean Fitzgerald and RHP Donnie Hissa combined for 3.0 scoreless innings of relief. Fitzgerald tossed a perfect inning of relief, while Hissa went 2.0 scoreless innings. He struck out one and walked one.
Notre Dame spotted the Boilermakers a 2-0 lead, but the Irish scored the final 19 runs of the game, including 11 in a record-setting fourth inning.
The 11-runs are the most in a single inning in BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge history. Notre Dame sent 16 to the plate and registered 10 hits. The Irish have not eclipsed 10 runs in an inning since May 10, 2004 at Connecticut when Notre Dame plated 10 runs in the first inning.
Notre Dame returns to action at 10:00 a.m. ET on Sunday morning at the Walter Fuller Baseball Complex against Penn State. Senior RHP Todd Miller will take the mound for the Irish.