DURHAM, N.C. — Head Coach Deanna Gumpf recorded her 750th career win Friday in a fiery 6-2 victory over the Duke Blue Devils. Alexis Holloway pitched a complete game for her seventh win of the season, while Katie Marino and Chelsea Purcell both hit home runs. The Irish improve to 11-5 thanks to an explosive five-run fifth inning.
When @NDcoachGumpf wins her 750th career game, you know she’ll get a little surprise from the team… #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/wyzJQ6BXOd
— Notre Dame Softball (@NDsoftball) February 29, 2020
HOW IT HAPPENED | KEY INNINGS
BOTTOM FIRST
Duke struck early, as a double and a single followed by a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third. With a fly ball to center field, Duke scored their first run, scoring again on the next batter’s single to put the Blue Devils up 0-2 at the end of the first.
TOP FIVE
After three scoreless innings, the Irish exploded in the fifth, beginning with Leea Hanks’ single with one out. Hanks stole second and advanced to third on a Holloway groundout. Marquez singled and reached second on the throw to score Hanks, cutting the score deficit in half (1-2). Senior captain Marino stepped up to the plate and homered, also scoring Marquez. The shot outside the wall marked Marino’s fifth homer of the year and 25th of her career. Notre Dame was up 3-2.
With the bases cleared, Emma Clark singled, and scored from first on the subsequent Abby Sweet double. Sarah Genz singled to score Sweet, making the score 5-2 to end the inning with all five runs scored with two outs.
With the win tonight, Irish head coach Deanna Gumpf posts her 750th career win! #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/nqND3YvSK4
— Notre Dame Softball (@NDsoftball) February 28, 2020
TOP SIX
Notre Dame made quick work of the Blue Devils in the bottom of the fifth, as Chelsea Purcell entered the game at third. As the leadoff hitter in the sixth, Purcell hit the first home run of her career, a solo shot, to up the score to 6-2.
FINAL
Overall, the Irish took advantage of momentum to post Gumpf’s 750th career win, coming in her 19th season as head coach. Notre Dame stranded seven Duke runners on base, striking out three and walking just one. The Irish totaled nine hits on the night, as they improved to 11-5 and 1-0 in ACC play. Holloway improved to 7-3 on the season.
Nothin' like your first career homer ☘️@ChelsArriana sent this one WAY out there to put us up 6-2 in our win over Duke!#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/ZJkWOvj66j
— Notre Dame Softball (@NDsoftball) February 29, 2020
UP NEXT
The Irish will return to Duke Softball Stadium for the second game of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network (https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=3e688357-db40-4ba2-9c2d-70402f4d3643), and live stats can be viewed at https://goduke.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary.
Follow along with @NDSoftball on Twitter for updates.