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Irish Host Syracuse in ACC Weekend Series; Friday Moved to a 4:30 Start

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball team will host the Syracuse Orange this weekend in a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series. The weekend is slated for Friday at 4:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. at Melissa Cook Stadium. Friday and Saturday will air on the ACC Network Extra, with Sunday’s 4 p.m. start being aired live on ACC Network. Friday was originally slated for a 6:00 p.m. start, but potential inclement weather has prompted teams to move the first pitch time to 4:30.

The Fighting Irish enter the weekend on a season-best six game winning streak, winning three of those games by mercy rule. In the six-game stretch, Notre Dame has outscored opponents 63-12. In conference play, the Irish have gone 3-3, taking one of two games at Duke, and taking the series at NC State.

After a five-inning home opener Tuesday evening, the Irish return Friday night. Notre Dame is 43-3 over the last four seasons at Melissa Cook Stadium, and Tuesday’s win was the third-straight season with a run-rule shortened win to begin the home slate.

Leea Hanks and Joley Mitchell led the way with three hits and four RBI each Tuesday night. Overall, lead-off hitter Carlli Kloss owns the team-best batting average at .366, hitting nine doubles a triple and three home runs, and lead the team with 21 runs scored. Lexi Orozco and Karina Gaskins have each hit six home runs this year, and Orozco leads the team with 24 RBI. Mitchell owns four home runs and four doubles, to go with 21 RBI this season.

The circle has been owned by Payton Tidd in her graduate season. She’s started nine games, appeared in 14, throwing 70.1 of the team’s 159.0 innings. She’s earned nine wins, throwing two complete games and picking up 66 strikeouts. Micaela Kastor owns a team-best 0.88 ERA in 39.2 innings of work. She’s earned a 4-0 mark with a team-best three saves. She holds opponents to a .183 average against to go with 35 strikeouts. Shannon Becker has 15 appearances, starting nine. She’s logged 47.0 innings, striking out 37 and earning four wins.

Syracuse enters the weekend having on a high note, taking two games in a doubleheader at Canisius Wednesday night. In conference play, the Orange have had to battle some of the top teams in the league, falling in all three games at #4 Clemson and #6 Florida State. Overall, Syracuse is 9-14 on the season.

As a team, the Orange hit for a .218 average in their 23 games, led by a .295 average by Madelyn Lopez. Lopez has started 17 games, appearing in 19 as the freshman has 13 base knocks, a double and a home run. Kelly Breen and Madison Knight lead the team with nine RBI each, as Breen is the only member of the squad to leave the yard multiple times.

The Syracuse pitching staff owns a .477 staff ERA in 145.1 innings of work. Lindsey Hendrix has started a team-high 12 games, appearing in three more in relief. She owns a 4.02 ERA with four wins in 54.0 innings of work. She holds opponents to a .237 average with 37 strikeouts. Madison Knight adds eight starts in 14 total appearances. She’s logged 48.1 innings to go with 36 strikeouts.