April 17, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame (19-15) came into Wednesday night’s game at Frank Eck Stadium against Bowling Green State University (11-19) looking to end a six-game losing streak, and appeared destined to do so, but Mother Nature had other ideas as lightning and eventual heavy rain halted the game with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Fighting Irish led the Falcons, 12-0, and needed to only retire BGSU in the top of the fifth inning with their lead in tact for the game to be considered official.
During the recent skid, Notre Dame had scored just 2.3 runs per game–a number they eclipsed in the first inning alone against the Falcons. The Irish plated three runs on three hits to grab a 3-0 advantage. Senior co-captain and 2B Frank Desico started things off with a drag-bunt single. Freshman RF Zak Kutsulis followed with an infield hit, and junior 3B and All-American candidate Eric Jagielo walked to load the bases. Sophomore LF Ryan Bull grounded out to shortstop, scoring DeSico and advancing both Kutsulis and Jagielo. Sophomore DH Phil Mosey singled in the base runners before Charlie Markson flied out to the right to end the inning.
Notre Dame junior RHP Sean Fitzgerald looked strong, giving up just a pair of hits and walking none through four scoreless innings.
The Irish offense really came alive in the bottom of the third. Notre Dame plated a single-inning season-high eight runs on seven hits.
Bull, junior C Forrest Johnson and DeSico all had RBI singles. Kutsulis drove in a pair with a single and Jagielo provided the final blow with a towering three-run home run to right field, directly into the teeth of 20-25 mph winds.
Bowling Green needed to use three pitchers and the Irish ultimately sent 12 to the dish in the inning.
After a quick top of the fourth inning, senior co-captain and CF Charlie Markson lead off the home half of the fourth with a single. His base hit gave every Notre Dame batter a hit in the game.
DeSico and Kutsulis each had three hits and Mosey chipped in with a pair. Notre Dame had racked up 14 over the first 3.2 innings.
The two teams will not make up nor continue the game on a later date.
Rain remains in the forecast for the next couple days in South Bend, but the Irish will open a three-game series against Quinnipiac (10-21) at 5:35 p.m. Friday. The series will mark the first-ever meeting on the diamond between the Bobcats and Notre Dame.
— ND —