Notre Dame Opens 7-Game Roadtrip at #11/12 Virginia Tech

Game Notes

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Winners of three of their last four games, the Notre Dame softball team heads back on the road this weekend for a three-game series at No. 11/12 Virginia Tech. It’s the first of a seven game road trip for the Irish. Game one of the series is set for 6 p.m. tomorrow night on ACC Network Extra.

Notre Dame has won its past two ACC series, taking two of three from both No. 24/22 Virginia and Pittsburgh in back-to-back weekends. This weekend will be the fifth total ACC series for the Irish and the third away from South Bend.

On the season, Notre Dame has a 6-9 record in the ACC, which is 10th in the league. However, the Irish are 4-2 in their last six conference games.

Addison Amaral continues to pace Notre Dame, especially in conference play. In the 15 games against conference opponents, Amaral is hitting .396 with three home runs and 10 runs batted in. She also has 10 walks and a .508 on base percentage. Caroline O’Brien has also emerged, especially recently. The freshman has started the last 11 games at third base and is riding an 8-game hitting streak heading into Blacksburg.

This weekend will be a duel of the top-two strikeout pitching staffs in the conference. Virginia Tech leads the conference with 271 strikeouts with Notre Dame not far behind with 256. The next closest team is 17 strikeouts behind the Irish.

Notre Dame is the only team in the conference to have three pitchers with at least 60 strikeouts and two with at least 70; Micalea Kastor (83), Kami Kamzik (72) and Brianne Weiss (61). The 102 strikeouts in conference games for the Irish this season are the most among any team in the ACC.

Tomorrow night’s game will be at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. Saturday’s game is set for a 2 p.m. start but won’t be broadcast due to Virginia Tech’s spring football game being played at the same time. Sunday’s series finale will be played under the lights at 6 p.m. on ACC Network.