SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball team secured home win number one of the season, run-ruling Clemson 11-3 in six innings Saturday afternoon at Melissa Cook Stadium. The Irish are now 13-17 on the year and 3-5 in ACC play.
After going scoreless in the opening frame, Notre Dame turned it on, scoring in every other inning. The Irish scored four runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead for good and three in the sixth to secure the win.
Notre Dame’s bats exploded during a nearly picture perfect day in South Bend. The 11 runs scored were a season-high for the Irish offense. The 12 hits today marked the ninth time this year that Notre Dame registered double-digit hits in a game this year.
Five Irish batters logged multi-hit games (Sydny Poeck, Ava Zachary, Olivia Levitt, Caroline O’Brien, Christina Willemssen).
Willemssen came into the day with just six at bats on the season, but delivered in a huge way for Notre Dame in the nine-spot of the lineup. The junior outfielder reached base on all four plate appearances Saturday, going 2-of-2 at the plate, driving in three runs and drawing a pair of walks. With the game tied at two in the bottom of the third, Willemssen came up with the bases loaded and ripped a ball into right field to score Hayden Kyne and O’Brien to give the Irish a 4-2 lead at the time, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Ava Zachary picked up a pair of hits, extending her hitting streak to 13 games, while Olivia Levitt recorded an RBI double on the day. Both Mickey Winchell and Poeck drove in a pair of runs each. Poeck’s two-run single in the bottom of the sixth walked off the Tigers in run rule fashion.
In the circle, Lily Hagan picked up her first career win, pitching an inning of relief. Kami Kamzik came into the game in the fourth inning, and finished the game for Notre Dame with 2.1 scoreless innings. Kamzik picked up her second save of the season. Brianne Weiss made the start for the Irish and struck out four in 2.2 innings.
For the second-straight Sunday, Notre Dame will look to go for the series win. First pitch of tomorrow’s rubber match is set for noon on ACC Network Extra.