SOUTH BEND, IND. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take home their second midweek win of the week as they defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 2-1 on Wednesday, April 19 at Frank Eck Stadium. The Irish advance to 20-15 on the year as they head back into conference play this weekend.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Western Michigan posted an early lead as they took the 1-0 advantage after the first two innings. After drawing four walks and two HBPs in innings one and two, the Irish recorded their first hits of the day in the third. Both Jack Penney and Vinny Martinez tallied base hits in the bottom of the third for the Irish. Danny Neri followed with a HBP to make bases loaded. Penney was able to score on a wild pitch to make it an even 1-1 after three.
TJ Williams and Zack Prazjner both recorded singles in the fourth, but it would stay at a 1-1 ballgame. Williams recorded his second hit of the day in the sixth as he sent it in the left center gap for a double. He would lead the Irish with two of their five hits on the day. The Irish scored their second run of the day on a sac fly from Brady Gumpf, who sent Brooks Coetzee home to give the Irish the 2-1 lead and eventual win.
David Lally Jr. started on the mound, pitching 3.0 innings, striking out four batters, and giving up one run on five hits. He was relieved by Justin Moore, who threw 2.0 innings and recorded three strikeouts, allowing no hits and no runs. Ricky Reeth closed for the Irish and took home his first win of the season. He struck out five batters across 4.0 innings and gave up zero hits and zero runs.
UP NEXT
The Irish are back at home this weekend as they resume ACC play with No. 8 Virginia at Frank Eck. The three-game series starts on Friday, April 21 as Notre Dame Baseball alum and Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet will throw out the first pitch.