SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated Florida State in a dominant fashion as they downed the Seminoles 12-2 on Saturday, April 29 at Frank Eck to make it an even 1-1 in the three-game series. Notre Dame advances to 24-17 on the year and 12-11 in the ACC as the Irish head into the final matchup tomorrow.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Blake Hely (3-1) started on the mound as he took home his third win of the season, pitching 7.0 innings and recording eight strikeouts. He was relieved by Will Mercer, throwing 2.0 innings, recording two strikeouts, and allowing no runs on two hits. The Irish were led today by Vinny Martinez, who finished the day going 3-4, recording one home run, two runs, and three RBI. He was followed by Jack Penney, who tallied two hits, two runs, and four RBI as he recorded his second grand slam of the year in the bottom of the eighth.
The Seminole offense struck first as they homered to left field in their very first at bat to take an early 1-0 lead. Florida State extended the lead in the fourth on another home run to make it a 2-0 ballgame before the Irish offense lit up in the bottom frame.
A six-run inning lifted the Irish to a 6-2 advantage as Carter Putz and Jack Penney got the party started with back-to-back base hits to put runners on first and second. Vinny Martinez sent it deep down the right field line for his eighth home run of the year as the three-run long ball gave the Irish the 3-2 advantage for their first lead of the game. The hitting streak continued as DM Jefferson and Brooks Coetzee recorded back-to-back doubles. Coetzee scored Jefferson to extend the lead with a score of 4-2.
An RBI single to right field from Danny Neri would score Coetzee for the fifth Irish run of the day. TJ Williams followed with a base hit and Zack Prajzner reached via a walk to make it bases loaded. Moreno would tack on the final run of the frame as he scored on a failed pick off attempt at second base from a throwing error by the pitcher.
The Irish led 6-2 throughout the next three innings as another monster frame was on the way. Notre Dame recorded another six runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend the lead 12-2 and take home the win.
A Penney grand slam to right field scored Moreno, Williams, and Putz to make it a 10-2 ballgame. Coetzee recorded his second double of the day as he sent it down the left line, sending home Martinez and Brady Gumpf for the final Irish runs of the day.
UP NEXT
The Irish are back at Frank Eck tomorrow for game three against Florida State as the series is tied at 1-1.