April 20, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Rain prevented the University of Notre Dame from putting an end to its six-game losing streak Wednesday night against Bowling Green despite a 12-0 lead. Inclement weather struck again Friday night, postponing the game against Quinnipiac until Saturday, but clear skies and an early offensive outburst helped Notre Dame to a 9-6 victory over the Bobcats Saturday at Frank Eck Stadium.
Senior 2B and co-captain Frank Desico, who scored three times in the game, earned a leadoff walk to get things going, and freshman RF Zak Kutsulis advanced DeSico to second on a sacrifice bunt.
Doubles from junior 3B Eric Jagielo and sophomore DH Ryan Bull, and singles from junior 1B Trey Mancini and senior CF Charlie Markson added up to a three-run first inning for Notre Dame.
Mancini and Kutsulis both finished the game with three hits, contributing to an explosive top-half of the order for Notre Dame. The first five hitters combined to hit 10-for-17 with eight runs, eight RBI, six walks and just one strikeout.
Jagielo, who currently leads the BIG EAST in OPS (on-base plus slugging), finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
The win was credited to sophomore RHP Pat Connaughton, who also starts on the Notre Dame basketball team. He worked five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Junior RHP Dan Slania earned his eighth save, pitching a perfect ninth and preserving a 9-6 Irish lead.
Bobcat senior right-hander Derek Lamacchia got the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits and five walks in five innings.
The teams had a 30-minute break before beginning the second half of Saturday’s doubleheader, and the second game in the three-game weekend series.
— ND —