SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish advanced to 13-9 on the season after taking down the Butler Bulldogs (5-19) on Tuesday, March 28. The Irish finished with their first shut out of the season as they took home the win 4-0 at Frank Eck.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jackson Dennies started on the mound for Notre Dame, closing the top of the first with his first two strikeouts of the day. The Irish were able to take the lead early as they put their first two runs on the board in the bottom of the inning. Jack Penney started off the inning with a walk, followed by a base hit from Zack Prajzner that sent Penney to third. With Jack Zyska up to the plate, Prajzner stole second and with a throwing error by the Butler catcher in the attempt to catch him stealing, Penney scored. The second run would come on a sac fly from Zyska, as Prajzner scored to post an early 2-0 Irish lead.
Still leading 2-0, Aidan Tyrell relieved Dennies, who finished the day with a perfect 4.0 innings pitched, striking out six batters and giving up no runs, no hits, and no walks. Tyrell closed the top of the fifth with two strikeouts as the Irish held the Bulldogs scoreless for another inning.
The Irish led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Starting off with two HBP and a walk, it was bases loaded for Notre Dame with Danny Neri up to the plate. Neri recorded a base hit and two RBI as he sent home Carter Putz and Zyska to extend the lead 4-0.
Tyrell pitched 4.0 innings, struck out four batters, and allowed just two hits before Caden Spivey relieved him to start the ninth inning. The Irish finished the inning going three up, three down as Spivey struck out the final batter to give the Irish the 4-0 win at home.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame resumes conference play as they host UNC at Frank Eck for a three-game series starting Friday.