BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball team lost 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday evening to the Indiana Hoosiers at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington. Every run in the contest was scored via the home run as Indiana won the game with a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh. The Fighting Irish fall to 23-18 on the season, while Indiana improves to 30-12.
Alexis Laudenslager started in the circle, throwing 6.1 innings before being relieved. Laudenslager struck out six as she allowed just two hits, four runs and three earned. Shannon Becker faced one hitter, giving up the home run in the bottom of the seventh.
The Irish offense had six hits in the contest, led by a pair of two-hit efforts from Rachel Allen and Anna Holloway. Cassidy Grimm and Karina Gaskins also added hits. Allen hit a solo homer, her third of the season, while Gaskins hit her eighth of the year.
How It Happened
Allen put the Irish up first, hitting a solo home run with one out in the top of the second. Notre Dame used the long ball again the next inning as Gaskins lifted a fly ball to left to extend the lead to 3-0 with a two-run shot.
Indiana got on the board with a solo shot of their own in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 3-1.
After three scoreless innings, Indiana hit the game winner in the seventh inning. A one-out single got the rally started, as it was followed by a fielder’s choice with an error that put two on. A walk loaded the bases as the Irish went to the bullpen. With a 3-2 pitch, Indiana hit a walk-off grand slam to earn the 5-3 win.
Up Next
The Irish return home this weekend as they host the No. 21/20 Clemson Tigers in a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series. Friday night begins the series at 5 p.m. on ESPNU, with the series continuing Saturday at 1 p.m. on the ACC Network Extra and concluding Sunday at 6 p.m. on the ACC Network.