How It Happened
Notre Dame did not waste any time scoring as it got on the board in the top of the first. Jared Miller beat out a double play attempt by the Gophers and scored on the next batter as Carter Putz doubled into the gap in right center. Miller scored standing up and gave the Irish a 1-0 lead.
The Irish added to their lead with timely two-out hitting in the sixth. Jack Brannigan doubled down the left field line to get into scoring position with two outs to bring Danny Neri to the plate. He singled to left and Brannigan scored on the play to extend the lead to 2-0.
Temple was dealing early on and stifling the Gopher batters. He had eight strikeouts through the first six innings and struck out the side in the third inning. He did not allow the first hit of the game for the Gophers until the seventh inning when they got on the board with a solo home run.
The Irish tacked on an insurance run in the seventh after a perfectly executed hit-and-run play. Brooks Coetzee III broke for home as Spencer Myers laid down a sacrifice bunt towards the pitcher. Coetzee crossed the plate before the pitcher could field the ball to add to the Irish lead.
That was the only hit Temple allowed all night as he ended the seventh with his ninth strikeout. The nine strikeouts ties a career high for Temple that he set in his Irish debut against Delaware on February 20.
Will Mercer came on in relief in the eighth inning and continued the strong pitching for the Irish. He set the Gophers down in order and struck out two in the inning. He came back out for the ninth to close out the win and earn his first save of the season.
Up Next
The Irish will continue their spring break trip with their first midweek contest of the season. They head south to North Carolina to prepare for a midweek battle with Elon. The Irish and Phoenix will square off on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET from Latham Field.
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