CLEARWATER, Fla. – The University of Notre Dame softball team dropped its first contest of the day against nationally ranked Utah, but battled back for a come-from-behind win over the Iowa Hawkeyes to end the day and improve to 2-2 on the season. The Fighting Irish fell 9-3 to the No. 16/13 Utah Utes on the first-ever live softball game on the MLB Network to begin the day, but rebounded to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Iowa 5-4 in the nightcap.
Alexis Laudenslager started the first game of the day in the circle. The graduate transfer threw 3.0 innings, allowing eight hits, four runs, three earned and struck out two. Kami Kamzik came on and threw 1.1 innings, allowing six hits and five earned runs. Shannon Becker settled the game down, throwing the final 2.2 innings, scattering four hits, striking out three without allowing a run.
The offense was paced by multi-hit efforts from Carlli Kloss, Jane Kronenberger and freshman Addison Amaral. Mickey Winchell, Mac Vasquez, Cassidy Grimm and Emily Tran each added hits. The hits from Amaral and Tran were the first of their collegiate careers.
Micaela Kastor started in the circle in the second half of the twinbill. The sophomore threw 6.0 innings, scattering seven hits, four earned runs and striking out two. Becker took over in the circle, throwing an inning and earning her seventh save of her career.
Kloss led the Irish at the plate against the Hawkeyes. The leadoff hitter finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored, including the game-winning run in the sixth inning. Gaskins, Kronenberger, Winchell, Anna Holloway and Tran each added a hit in the contest. Amaral drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
How It Happened
Game 1
Utah got on the board first, scoring a pair in the first inning. A leadoff triple came around to score on a sharply hit ground ball on the Irish infield that was misplayed. A single moved the runner into scoring position for Karlie Davison who tripled to right center, scoring one, but the relay from Christina Willemssen to Amaral to Kloss who applied the tag for the out limiting the damage.
Notre Dame held Utah scoreless in the second, before the Utes scored a pair of runs in the third and fourth, and adding three in the fifth.
The Irish kept the game alive in the fifth, scoring two runs. With two outs, Winchell singled to left and got caught in a rundown to advance to second. Gaskins drew her second walk of the day and scored when Kronenberger doubled to right center to cut the lead to 9-2.
Notre Dame scratched another run home in the sixth as Kloss connected on a sacrifice fly to left to cut the lead to 9-3.
Game 2
The Hawkeyes scored first in the top of the first frame in game two of the day. A single the other way started the inning before a walk and a single brought in the first run. Another walk followed by a single to center scored two and Iowa led 3-0 after the top of the first.
Notre Dame got a pair back in the bottom of the first. Kloss was hit by a pitch and moved up when Gaskins singled back to the pitcher. A groundout moved the pair into scoring position as Amaral put the ball in play, reaching on an error and the overthrow allowing Kloss and Gaskins to score to cut the lead to 3-2.
Iowa extended its lead to two in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back singles started the inning and a sacrifice fly scored the run before the Irish could get out of the jam.
Notre Dame cut the lead back to one in the bottom of the frame. A lead-off infield hit from Kronenberger got the inning started. A sacrifice bunt and a deep fly ball moved her to third, where she scored on a Winchell single to left.
The Irish forged ahead in the bottom of the sixth inning. A walk put the first runner on, followed by a fielder’s choice from Tran and a Kloss single. Gaskins drew her second walk of the day to load the bases for Kronenberger. The 1-1 pitch to Kronenberger skipped by the catcher, allowing Tran to score and the throw to the plate was wild, allowing Kloss to score from second to put the Irish up 5-4.
Becker closed the door in the seventh, picking up her first save of the season. She retired all three hitters she faced, striking out the final batter of the game to record the win.
Up Next
Notre Dame closes the weekend with a matchup with the Liberty Flames at 10 a.m. Sunday.