DELAND, Fla. — The fourth-ranked Notre Dame baseball team’s bats were as hot as the weather in the 17-2 season-opening win over Manhattan (0-1) Friday night at Melching Field. The Irish (1-0) hit three home runs on the night and totaled 19 hits. It was the most runs in a season opener since 2005 when they scored 18 in a win over Florida A&M.
How It Happened
Irish jumped out in the lead quickly after Spencer Myers led the bottom of the first off with a triple into the gap in left center. Two batters later, Jared Miller brought him home on a sacrifice fly to left and the Irish were up 1-0. The Irish weren’t done in the first as Carter Putz added a triple of his own into the gap in right center. The very next batter drove him home as DM Jefferson recorded his first career RBI in his first career start. After the first inning, the Irish held a 2-0 lead.
The Irish bats exploded for a big inning in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs in the frame. Ryan Cole scored the first run of the inning on a wild pitch. Jack Brannigan singled to left and scored Putz and Jefferson. Then Brooks Coetzee III cleared the bases with a two-run home run to left field. After the first three innings, the Irish were up 7-0.
Another big inning at the plate followed in the fourth as the Irish scored six runs. Three-straight RBI singles that scored three runs got the scoring started in the inning by Miller, Jefferson and Zack Prajzner. Brannigan hit the third triple of the game for the Irish to score two more runs in the inning. Coetzee drove another run in with an RBI single to left field and scored Brannigan from third. After the end of the inning, Notre Dame was up 13-0.
Aidan Tyrell had an effective outing on the mound through four innings of work. He kept the Jaspers off the scoreboard and tied a career high with six strikeouts. It is his second-straight start with six strikeouts dating back to last season.
Coetzee was at it again in the sixth with his second home run of the game. It was a solo shot to straight-away center and his first career game with multiple home runs. Later in the inning, freshmen Jack Penney and Joey Spence both got their first career RBI as the lead extended to 16-0.
The Irish extended its lead in the bottom of the eighth with another long ball. Jack Zyska crushed a home run to dead center that went off the batter’s eye to put the Irish ahead 17-0.
Liam Simon put together a strong relief appearance after Tyrell exited the game. Simon tossed three innings with five strikeouts and did not allow a hit.
A number of Irish made their collegiate debuts in the win including Jefferson, Spence, Penney, Brady Gumpf, Nick DeMarco and Gerry Peacock.
Up Next
The Irish will continue in the Hatter Classic on Saturday against the hosts Stetson. The Irish and Hatters will square off at 4 p.m. ET from Melching Field and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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