The University of Notre Dame softball team (23-12, 6-5 ACC) rallied from an early two-run deficit to defeat Boston College (11-22, 3-8) in the second game of an Atlantic Coast Conference game at Melissa Cook Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
M.K. Bonamy led the Irish with two his and two RBI, while Cait Brooks and Madison Heide tacked on solo home runs. Alexis Holloway pitched the first three innings of the contest to earn her ninth win of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Among all the emotional moments during Notre Dame’s Strikeout Cancer Weekend, the pregame for Saturday’s contest is at the top of the list. The team honors its ‘heroes’ for the day – kids who are battling or have battle against pediatric cancer. Each hero is announced with the Irish starting lineup, they each throw a ceremonial first pitch and also run the bases before the game begins.
Boston College quickly took a lead in the top of the first after a leadoff double, sacrifice bunt and single up the middle drove in the first run of the game. The Irish threatened in the bottom of the inning by loading the bases, but Boston College was able to turn a double play to end the scoring chance.
Notre Dame tied the game in the bottom of the second when Bonamy led off with a single. Quinn Biggio laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Boston College decided to attempt to take out the lead runner. The ball bounced into right field and Bonamy was able to advance to third
Wester took off for second base during the next at bat and Boston College failed to cover the bag. Bonamy scored when the BC catcher threw the ball into centerfield. The Eagle defense would make up for that mental error to end the inning, however. Ali Wester scorched a ground ball to shortstop that ricocheted directly to second base and a perfect throw home would cut down Biggio attempting to score from second.
The Eagles came right back to take a lead during their next at bat. A BC lead off single, sacrifice bunt, wild pitch and two singles plated two visitor runs in the top of the third inning.
Notre Dame seized control of the game in the bottom of that inning. With one out, Brooks drew a walk, Shelby Grimm came in to run and moved to second base when the BC catcher threw the ball down the right field line attempting a pick off. Abby Sweet was then hit by a pitch and Bonamy came through with a two-RBI single through the left side to put the Irish up 3-2.
Biggio followed with her own RBI single to chase Eagle starting pitcher Susannah Anderson. The Irish would tack on two more runs to take a 6-1 lead after a throwing error and wild pitch off BC reliever Camryn Dolby.
Insurance runs were added for Notre Dame in the fifth when Heide slammed her second career home run down the left field line and Brooks led off the sixth inning with her 13th home run of the season. Heide added in an RBI single in the sixth to plate the ninth run of the game for the Irish.
In relief, Payton Tidd worked four no-hit innings with two strikeouts and just one walk.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame continues its annual Strikeout Cancer weekend and ACC series with Boston College Sunday (the final game has been moved up one hour to begin at 11 a.m. ET). Tatum’s Toss, one of the key events of the Strikeout Cancer weekend, will take place on Sunday.
Admission to the remaining two softball games is free of charge. The weekend benefits pediatric cancer patients and their families in Indiana.