GREENVILLE, S.C. — The second-ranked Notre Dame baseball team started its weekend in Greenville with a bang as it defeated Marist 20-2 Friday afternoon at Fluor Field. The Irish (3-1) broke the game open with an eight-run first inning and did not look back against the Red Foxes (3-1). DM Jefferson led the way with three RBI and Ryan Cole tallied three hits as the Irish set a season high with 20 runs. On the mound, Aidan Tyrell tossed a gem with 7.0 scoreless innings of work for his second win of the season.
How It Happened
Notre Dame jumped out to an early lead thanks to an explosive bottom of the first, as eight runs came across home plate. Spencer Myers and Cole both singled to start the day at the plate. With both Myers and Cole in scoring position with two outs, Jefferson singled to right to score the pair and put the Irish in front. In the next at-bat, Jack Brannigan doubled into the gap in right center and Jefferson scored all the way from first.
Notre Dame tacked on four more runs via Marist miscues as Brooks Coetzee, Brannigan, David LaManna scored on errors and Zack Prajzner scored on a wild pitch. The final run of the inning came on a hit-and-run as Cole singled to left and Myers scored. After the first frame, the Irish were up 8-0.
The Irish scored two more in the fourth as Cole led the inning off with his third hit of the day. Putz tripled off the wall in center to bring Cole home from first. Then Jefferson tallied his third RBI of the game with a single to score Putz and give the Irish a 10-0 advantage.
Tyrell had another strong outing on the mound for the Irish and stymied Marist hitters all night long. He pitched 7.0 innings and allowed just three hits and no runs against the Red Foxes. He did not allow more than one hit in any inning and has not allowed a run in the 11.0 innings he has pitched this season.
Another big inning for the Irish in the seventh as they scored six runs in the frame. TJ Williams plated a run on an RBI single, Joey Spence and Casey Kmet both had doubles that scored runs. The big hit of the inning came off the bat of Jack Zyska as he hit a two-run blast over the Green Monster in left field. The Irish tacked on another run on a wild pitch and had a 17-0 lead after seven innings.
Notre Dame scored three more in the eighth to bring its run total for 20 in the game. It was the most runs the Irish have scored in a game since June 5, 2021 when they scored 26 against UConn.
Sammy Cooper made his first collegiate appearance in relief in the eighth inning and pitched the final two innings of the game for the Irish. He struck out three to close out the game for the Irish.
Up Next
The Irish will be back at Fluor Field on Saturday for a twinbill against the Monmouth Hawks. The first game of the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. ET with the second game to follow 45 minutes after the first game finishes. Both games will be broadcast on the Greenville Drive Youtube Channel.
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