Notre Dame Stifles #22 Virginia to Take Series

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Wet and sloppy conditions couldn’t slow down the Notre Dame offense Saturday, as the Irish exploded for seven runs on eight hits to beat 22nd-ranked Virginia 7-2 to secure the first series of the year for the Irish. Notre Dame is now 16-19 on the season and 4-7 in conference play with four wins against ranked opponents.

Micaela Kastor was phenomenal in relief for a second-straight game. The junior tallied 4 hitless innings today, striking out seven and suffocating the Cavaliers attempt at a comeback. Kastor has 7.1 inning scoreless innings against Virginia over the past two days.

After allowing an early run in the first, Notre Dame responded with three runs in the bottom of the second. Caroline O’Brien notched her first career extra-base hit with a triple into right that scored Rachel Allen and Jane Kronenberger. Sydny Poeck then had a productive at-bat, hitting a ground ball to second that scored O’Brien from third for the third run of the inning.

The Irish got three more in the bottom of the fourth. After Emily Tran scored on a throwing error, Rachel Allen looped a fly ball that dropped in between the shortstop and left fielder to score Addison Amaral and Kaia Cortes. After going 2/3 on the day, the Irish backstop now has back-to-back multi hit games. Notre Dame led 7-2 after four.

Kastor did her thing after that, getting five strikeouts in the final three innings. One of the top strikeout pitchers in the ACC, Kastor now has 78 punch outs on the season, a team-high.

With her single in the fourth inning, Poeck extended her on-base streak to 15, which is among the best in the nation. The left fielder has found success after moving to the leadoff position.

Shannon Becker made her fourth start of the year and her first at home. She went three innings, only allowing two runs and no walks. The senior has a 2.76 ERA in four appearances at Melissa Cook Stadium this season.

Notre Dame will go for the sweep against Virginia tomorrow at 11 a.m. after game two of the doubleheader was moved due to inclement weather. Admission is free and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.