CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The 25th-ranked Notre Dame baseball team used the long ball once again Sunday afternoon as they finished off the series sweep with an 8-3 win over No. 21 Virginia at Disharoon Park. With the win, the Irish won their fifth-straight game and their seventh of the last nine to begin the season.
“So proud of our team this weekend,” said head coach Link Jarrett. “I thought all phases of our game were well played. Kavadas three-run home run in the first was a great momentum builder following two good at-bats by Putz and Miller.”
For the second time in the series, the Irish (7-2, 7-2 ACC) belted three home runs in a game. Niko Kavadas and Jared Miller hit their second long balls of the series while Zack Prajzner hit his first of the season. The Irish finished the day with 16 hits, the most in a game since May 14, 2019 against Northwestern.
“Tyell was very solid in the middle of the game and Kohlhepp did exactly what we knew he could do to finish the game,” said Jarrett. “It was a powerful performance. Good to see Prajzner with a home run and another base hit. I am proud of how hard we battled all weekend.”
On the mound, the Irish used a three-pitcher combo to hold the Cavaliers (7-8, 2-7 ACC) to the lowest run total of the series. Aidan Tyrell picked up his first career win while Tanner Kohlhepp earned his first save with the Irish. Kohlhepp tossed 4.2 innings of scoreless relief while allowing just two hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED
For the fifth time this season, Notre Dame started the game with runs in the first inning to grab an early lead. Back-to-back hits by Carter Putz and Miller gave Kavadas two runners in scoring position. He took a fastball the other way that cleared the wall in left for his second home run of the series and fifth of the season. With the blast, Notre Dame held a 3-0 advantage after the first frame.
The Cavaliers got two runs back in the third inning and had two runners in scoring position. Tyrell came on from the pen and was able to get out of the inning without giving up the lead.
Notre Dame was able to get those two runs back in the top half of the fifth inning. Back-to-back hits to start the inning got runners on the corners for Kavadas. He sent a fly ball to the warning track in right that was caught but plenty deep to score Putz from third. With two away, Brooks Coetzee singled through the right side to score Miller and put the Irish back up by three at 5-2.
The Cavaliers chipped away in the fifth, scoring a run and put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Kohlhepp was on from the pen and he induced a fly out to right to limit the damage to just one run and kept the Irish in front.
Just as they have done most of the series, the Irish got the run back and it was the long ball once again. On the first pitch of the seventh inning, Miller crushed his second home run of the series over the wall in center and the Irish held a three-run advantage once again.
The Irish added another run in the eighth off another solo home run. Just like Miller in the seventh, Prajzner took the first pitch of the eighth inning over the wall in center for the solo blast. It is his first home run of the season and the third of the game for the Irish.
One more insurance run in the ninth for the Irish as Coetzee delivered another two-out hit, this time to score David LaManna.
STATS OF THE GAME
- Notre Dame hit three home runs for the second time in the series
- Niko Kavadas belted his second home run of the series and fifth of the season.
- Jared Miller also hit his second home run of the series and third of the season. Miller also tied a career high with four hits.
- Zack Prajzner recorded his first home run of the season.
- Carter Putz tied a career high with three hits.
UP NEXT
The Irish return to campus and prepare for their first home game since May of 2019. They will open the 2021 home slate with a three-game series against the Duke Blue Devils on Friday, March 19 at Frank Eck Stadium. Friday and Saturday’s game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra while Sunday’s game will be aired on the ACC Network.
FRANK ECK STADIUM ATTENDANCE POLICY
2021 Baseball Media Credentials Info
The University of Notre Dame, in accordance with campus health and safety protocols and with the guidance of local health officials, will limit attendance for sports competing this spring to guests of competing Notre Dame student-athletes and coaches as well as current Notre Dame, Holy Cross and St. Mary’s College students. Students will be expected to show a current I.D. and physically distanced seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional student attendance policies can be found here.
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