GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish took home their second win of the season as they defeated the UNC Greensboro Spartans 6-5 on Friday night at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. The Irish advance to 2-2 on the season and take the 1-0 lead over the Spartans in the three-game series.
How It Happened
The Irish came out swinging in the first, tallying four hits and four runs to start game one. TJ Williams led off the first, reaching on a Spartan error. The Irish offense hit three consecutive singles by graduate students Zack Prajzner, Brooks Coetzee, and Carter Putz. Runs from Willams and Prajzner gave the Irish the 2-0 advantage, with just one out and Penney up to the plate.
Penney reached first on a fielder’s choice and moved Putz to third. Vinny Martinez drove in Putz with a double to left field and DM Jefferson delivered Penney with a ground out to extend the lead to 4-0 after the top of the first
Radek Birkholz started on the hill and he combined with Aidan Tyrell to hold UNCG scoreless through the first five innings. The Spartans broke through in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs and tied the game with a three-run homer. Jack Findlay came on in relief and put out the fire, sending the game to the seventh tied at four.
Neither team put runs on the board in the seventh or eighth, setting up the final inning dramatics. Putz started the ninth with a single and Danny Neri stepped up, homering to right field to give the Irish the 6-4 lead.
The Spartans weren’t going down without a fight. Findlay had two strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth and while the Irish were looking to close, an RBI double from UNCG brought it within one with runners on second and third. Findlay went to work as the final Spartan batter struck out swinging, giving the Irish the 6-5 game one win.
Up Next
The Irish are back in action tomorrow for game two of the three-game series at UNCG. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.