April 23, 2004
South Orange, N.J. – Sophomore Cody Rizzo drilled a two-out home run off Seton Hall right-handed reliever Tim Sabo to snap a 3-3 tie and give Notre Dame a 4-3 win over the Pirates in game two of Friday’s doubleheader at Owen T. Carroll Field. The win gave the Irish a split with Seton Hall as the Pirates took game one of the twin bill, 4-2.
In game one, the Irish jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run double by Matt Bransfield. The Pirates scored two in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2 and then went ahead with a pair in the fifth for the 4-2 score.
Right-hander Jake Haggerty pitched the seven-inning complete game for the Irish, recording a two-hitter and retiring the final 19 batters he faced. Haggerty’s nine-strikeout performance evened his record at 3-3.
Sophomore lefthander Tom Thornton saw his record fall to 5-2 as he pitched 4-2/3 innings with two walks and six strikeouts while giving up five hits and four earned runs.
In the nightcap, the Irish went ahead 3-2 in the seventh inning with a pair of runs as Zach Sisko gave Notre Dame the lead with a run-scoring single up the middle. Seton Hall was able to tie the game with a run in the seventh, setting up Rizzo’s ninth-inning game-winning homer.
Chris Niesel got no decision in the game as he went six strong innings for the Irish, giving up eight hits and two runs while striking out five with a pair of walks. Joe Thaman picked up the win (3-1) with two innings of relief work (3 hits, one run) and sophomore Ryan Doherty picked up his seventh save as he slammed the door in the ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
The split gives Notre Dame a 32-6 overall record and a 12-3 mark in BIG EAST play. Seton Hall is now 11-25-1 on the year and 5-10 in conference play.
The Irish return to action on Sunday, April 25 when they play a doubleheader at Pittsburgh. Those games will start at 11:00 a.m. (EDT).
Note: The Notre Dame baseball team left Seton Hall via bus immediately following Friday’s game for Pittsburgh. A full wrap-up and game report will be posted at und.com later tonight.