SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Fighting Irish (28-19) took home the second game of the series against the Akron Zips (18-32) in a 5-4 win on Saturday, May 13 at Frank Eck Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Notre Dame offense struck first, scoring on two sac flies in the bottom of the first to take an early 2-0 lead, but Akron closed the gap to one in the top of the third to make it a 2-1 ballgame.
The Irish tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth as Zack Prajzner scored Williams on an RBI single up the middle. Leading 3-1 heading into the fifth, Akron’s offense was sparked with a base hit to center field to lead off the frame. A three-run home run down the left field line would lift the Zips to a 4-3 lead over the Irish.
The Irish weren’t going anywhere as the Notre Dame defense would go three up, three down in the top of the sixth before the Irish offense would strike again in the bottom frame. Carter Putz’s first hit of the day was sent to center field as he drove in Estevan Moreno to tie it up at 4-4.
The Irish defense would go three up, three down again in the seventh to keep it at an even 4-4 heading into the eighth inning. Putz reached via a walk and after stealing second, he advanced to third on a fly out to center field. Looking to take the lead, he capitalized on a wild pitch and scored at the plate to give the Irish the 5-4 advantage.
Caden Spivey and Ryan Lynch would hold the Zips scoreless in the top of the ninth as Lynch took the mound with two outs in the frame. Lynch threw three straight strikes to close out the game, taking home his first save of the season.
Blake Hely started on the mound for the Irish, pitching 5.0 innings and striking out a season-high nine batters. He allowed four runs on four hits before he was relieved by Caden Spivey. Spivey took home his fourth win of the season after pitching 3.1 innings, striking out three batters, and allowing zero runs on three hits.
UP NEXT
The final game of the series is at 1 PM on Sunday, May 14 as the Irish will celebrate their 12 players receiving degrees in the Degree Day celebration prior to the game.