SOUTH BEND, Ind. – In the 2025 home opener, the Notre Dame Softball team dropped a heartbreaker to Indiana, losing 3-2 after the Hoosiers hit a home run that served as the winning run in the top of the seventh. Notre Dame is now 12-16 on the season.
Micaela Kastor had a terrific night once again for the Irish. The junior threw a complete game, giving up only two earned runs and striking out seven. It was the third complete game of the season for the right hander.
Indiana struck first to start off the game. After back-to-back singles to open up the game, the Hoosiers used strategic base running to steal a couple bases and push across the first run.
Notre Dame got a couple base runners in the bottom of the first after back-to-back walks from Sydny Poeck and Addison Amaral, but both runners were left on base.
The Hoosiers got an unearned run in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead.
Notre Dame got its first run of the home season courtesy of Jane Kronenberger. After a leadoff double in the bottom of the fourth, she advanced on two wild pitches, first to third and then to cross home. One inning later, Avery Houlihan scored in similar fashion, tying the game at two after five.
On the first pitch of the top of the seventh, Indiana catcher Avery Parker hit a solo home run to right, just out of the outstretched glove of Kronenberger, for the game winning run.
Notre Dame is set to host Western Michigan tomorrow at 4 p.m. after being moved up an hour due to potential weather. The Irish are a dominant 33-6 overall against the Broncos and have won 10-straight against them. That game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Admission to all Notre Dame Softball games is free at Melissa Cook Stadium. Parking around the stadium is free after 4 p.m. on weekdays and all day on the weekends.