SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (27-19) took home game one over the Akron Zips (18-31) in a 5-2 win to start the series. The game was played through the middle of the sixth on Friday, May 12 until play was suspended due to inclement weather. The Irish and the Zips resumed play on Saturday, May 13.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a scoreless game through the first four innings until the Zips scored in the top of the fifth to take the 1-0 advantage. The Irish responded with a run of their own as Carter Putz recorded the Irish’s first hit of the day. Putz doubled to left field, scoring Estevan Moreno who reached via a walk.
It was tied at 1-1 heading into the sixth, where the Irish held the Zips scoreless in the top frame. Play was suspended in the bottom of the sixth and was resumed at 1 PM on Saturday, May 13.
The Irish offense was ready to go as they went on to record a four-run seventh frame to take the lead 5-1. Moreno led off, reaching via a walk, and was scored by an RBI single from TJ Williams to take the lead 2-1. Zack Prajzner followed with an RBI double down the left field line to take the 3-1 advantage.
Putz singled through the left side for his second hit of the day before Vinny Martinez blasted a 2-RBI double to center field to score both Putz and Prajzner and give the Irish the 5-1 lead heading into the eighth.
Aidan Tyrell started on the mound for the Irish, throwing 5.2 innings, allowing one run on seven hits, and striking out seven batters. Radek Birkholz saw action on the mound briefly before play was suspended on Friday. Will Mercer started for the Irish in the top of the seventh on Saturday, taking home his third win of the season.
Carter Putz led the Irish with two hits, while TJ Williams, Zack Prajzner, Vinny Martinez, and Brady Gumpf each tallied one hit a piece.