SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball program heads to Massachusetts for a matchup with the Boston College Eagles this weekend. The series begins Friday night at 6 p.m. on the ACC Network, followed by a 1 p.m. matchup Saturday, closing out the series Sunday at noon.
The Fighting Irish enter the weekend at 27-12-1 on the year, and are currently in sixth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings with a 9-8-1 record. Fresh off taking a series against #17/21 Virginia Tech, the Irish look to build on winning eight of their last 10 games, taking conference series over Louisville and Virginia Tech, and run-ruling an Indiana team that was receiving national attention.
Junior catcher Carlli Kloss leads the Irish offense with a .384 average and 20 extra base hits. Her 14 doubles and 38 runs scored also leads the team. Karina Gaskins and Lexi Orozco have provided the power in the middle of the order. Gaskins leads the team with 14 home runs this season, driving in 37 and scoring 34 times. Orozco has 12 homers of her own, with a team-best 38 RBI and 30 run scored. Joley Mitchell adds 35 RBI and a .381 average. She’s hit eight home runs, seven doubles, scored 34 runs and leads the team with 13 stolen bases.
In the circle, graduate student Payton Tidd leads the way after throwing three complete games last week. This season, she’s thrown in 24 games, making 19 starts and throwing eight complete games. She’s logged 122.0 innings worked, allowing 50 earned runs, good for a 2.87 ERA. Freshman Micaela Kastor leads the team with a 2.14 ERA. She’s appeared in 22 games, making nine starts. She’s worked 65.1 innings, picking up three saves and holds opponents to a .219 average against. Shannon Becker adds 24 appearances and 12 starts. The sophomore has thrown 69.2 innings, striking out 55 hitters and picking up seven wins.
The Eagles enter the weekend at 20-23, fresh off of a 6-0 shutout victory over the Providence Friars Wednesday night. In league action this season, BC is 2-13, picking up wins over North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Last weekend, the Eagles lost all three matchups to #13 Duke, with all games within three runs.
The BC offense hits for a .241 average, led by Nicole Giery. Geiry owns a .309 average, hitting 10 doubles, four home runs and 16 RBI. Hannah Silke leads the power numbers with six homers this season, and scoring a team-high 21 runs. Abigail Knight has driven in a team-best 26 runs, with six doubles, two triples and four homers. BC has stolen 45 bases in 55 attempts, led by Kali Case, Abigail Knight and Erika Andall who each have eight bags.
The pitching staff owns a 4.23 ERA. Abby Dunning leads the team with a 3.53 ERA, appearing in 25 games, making 15 starts and throwing 11 complete games. She’s logged 120.0 innings, picking up 121 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .211 average against. Susannah Anderson adds the bulk of the starts at 19, while appearing in 24 games. She’s thrown in 110.0 innings, striking out 82 hitters and opponents are hitting .231 against. Sofia Earle and Halie Pappion have made 14 and 11 appearances, respectively.