Sophomore Steve Sabatino.

Irish Slug Past Georgetown, 12-8

April 2, 2010

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BETHESDA, Maryland – Notre Dame senior left fielder Ryan Connolly led off the game with a solo home run as the Irish plated three runs before recording an out and eventually held off Georgetown for a 12-8 victory in BIG EAST Conference baseball action from Shirley Povich Field Friday afternoon. Notre Dame improved to 9-16, 1-4 in the conference, while the Hoyas dropped to 13-12 and 1-4.

Sophomore Steve Sabatino picked up the victory and improved to 2-3 on the year. The southpaw allowed six runs, all earned, on seven hits in 5.2 innings of work. Sabatino struck out five and walked two.

Georgetown starting pitcher Tim Adleman (4-2) took the loss. The Hoyas right-handed hurler entered the game with a 4-1 record and a 2.48 earned-run average, but was no match for the Irish. Adleman was rocked for 12 runs, all earned, on 14 hits in 5.1 innings of work. Ironically, Adleman was the starting pitcher for Georgetown in the 2008 meeting when Notre Dame routed the Hoyas, 25-1. Adleman was roughed up that game as well. He allowed nine runs, all earned, on nine hits in 2.0 innings.

Connolly, senior designated hitter David Mills and junior shortstop Mick Doyle carried the Notre Dame offensive attack. Connolly went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBI, including his fourth home run of the season. Mills and Doyle each went 2-for-5. Mills scored twice and drove in three, while Doyle scored once and drove in four. Doyle also smacked his second round tripper of the campaign.

Freshman second baseman Frank Desico and senior centerfielder Bill Warrender also chipped in with two hits apiece. Desico scored three times and Warrender drove in a run.

Sophomore Will Hudgins and Mills tossed the final 3.1 innings. Hudgins allowed one earned run on three hits in 2.1 innings, while Mills allowed a solo home run in 1.0 inning of work.

Connolly fell behind in the count 0-2 to Adleman, but the senior smoked a high fast ball over the left field wall to give the Irish a 1-0 lead. The home run was Connolly’s second this season to lead off the game.

Desico walked and Mills followed with a single before advancing into scoring position when Hoyas right fielder Rand Ravnaas threw to third base. Warrender followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0 and Mills scampered home to push the lead to 3-0 when the base hit evaded Georgetown left fielder Billy Cupelo.

The Irish blew the game wide open with six more runs off Adleman in the top of the second. Martin doubled, McConnell singled and Ashdown walked to load the bases for Connolly, who promptly doubled in two more off the left field wall to make it 5-0. Desico beat out a bunt single to load the bases. Mills followed with an RBI ground out. Adleman fanned Warrender for the second out of the inning, but Doyle capped off the explosion with a towering three-run home run to give the Irish a 9-0 advantage.

The nine-run cushion proved too much for Georgetown to overcome.

Notre Dame and Georgetown return to action Saturday afternoon with the third and final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

— ND —