Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Irish Drop Midweek to Broncos

NOTRE DAME, Ind. –  On a cold and windy night at Frank Eck Stadium, the Western Michigan Broncos offense broke the game open early and they defeated the Fighting Irish 12-2 Wednesday night.

How It Happened 

In the top half of the first, a steady rain started to fall and the Broncos jumped out in front early. The main damage came from a bases-clearing double and Western Michigan held a 4-0 lead after the top of the first.

The Irish got a run back in the bottom half of the first. Spencer Myers led the inning off with a bunt single. Myers scored on the next batter when Niko Kavadas doubled down the left field line.

The Broncos continued their offensive outburst with another big inning in the top of the second. They added five more runs and held a commanding 9-1 lead after an inning and a half.

The Irish looked to start chipping away at the Bronco lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Notre Dame scored the lone run of the inning via a bunt single from Myers that scored Jared Miller.

That is all the Irish could muster as the Western Michigan bullpen limited the scoring opportunities for the home squad to close out the game.

Game Notes

  • Sophomore Niko Kavadas hit an RBI double in the first for his team-leading 31st RBI of the season.
  • Kavadas has recorded an RBI in six of his last seven games.
  • Alex Rao tossed a career high three innings and struck out a career high four.
  • Spencer Myers tied a career high with three hits on the night.
  • Shane Combs retired all six batters in his two innings of relief to tie a career high he set against Central Michigan. Combs also tied a career high with two strikeouts.
  • Freshman Evan Tenuta made his first collegiate appearance in the ninth inning.

Up Next

Notre Dame is back in action this weekend when it welcomes North Carolina to Frank Eck Stadium. The three-game series kicks off Friday night at 6 p.m. ET and all three games will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra. Saturday’s tilt against the Tar Heels will be free admission for all fans.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the Irish baseball program, follow @NDBaseball on Twitter and @NotreDameBaseball on Instagram. For tickets to an Irish baseball game, click here.