Irish Defeat Memphis in Six Innings

SAN DIEGO – The University of Notre Dame softball team completed its weekend at the San Diego State University Season Kickoff Sunday morning at the SDSU Softball Stadium. The Fighting Irish defeated the Memphis Tigers 9-1 in six innings, improving to 4-1 on the season. The Irish used a balanced attack at the plate as nine hitters accounted for 10 hits, as Shannon Becker and Micaela Kastor combined for the win in the circle.

Becker got the start, throwing 5.0 innings, allowing just two hits, one earned run and struck out five. Kastor came on in relief, throwing a three up, three down sixth inning to secure the run-rule shortened victory.

At the plate, Notre Dame was led by leadoff hitter Carlli Kloss. Kloss finished 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Mac Vasquez, Joley Mitchell, Miranda Johnson, Lexi Orozco, Anna Holloway, Brooke Marquez, Bryn Boznanski and Mickey Winchell all recorded a hit in the win.

How It Happaned

Notre Dame didn’t waste any time, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. Kloss led off with a double over the head of the right fielder and the bases were loaded with a walk and a hit batter. After a pair of strikeouts, Orozco didn’t let the rally fade as she singled to bring in two. Marquez followed with a single through the left side to score one. A walk loaded the bases as an infield hit scored one to flip the lineup over. Kloss was hit by a pitch to bring in the fifth run of the inning in her second at bat.

The Tigers plated a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. A leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt and a single put runners on the corners. A fielder’s choice allowed the run to score as Memphis got on the board.

The Irish hung another crooked number in the sixth, scoring four runs. Kloss led off the frame with a single and Karina Gaskins drew a walk. A ground out moved them up and Vasquez singled to right field to score two. A single from Johnson kept the rally going for Cassidy Grimm, who lifted a sacrifice fly to right. Boznanski stepped in and roped a single to center to score Johnson as the Irish took the lead at 9-1.

Up Next

The Irish are back in action next weekend as they head to Clemson, South Carolina for the B1G/ACC Challenge. The Irish will face Ohio State twice and Northwestern once at McWhorter Stadium, home of the Tigers.