SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Irish notched a win over UC Santa Barbara in Notre Dame’s first midweek matchup of the season, topping the Gauchos 2-0. The game was ended early, in the sixth inning, after weather discontinued play.
It was a productive day at the plate as five different Irish batters posted a hit, and Quinn Biggio homered. Alexis Holloway (8-6) earned the win with four strikeouts through five innings, and Katie Marino led the defense with five assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Top Second
Sarah Genz reached first on a Gaucho error, and Holloway delivered a well-placed bunt to single, advancing Genz to second. Leea Hanks slammed another single through the infield to score Genz, making the board 1-0. A strikeout and groundout ended the inning.
Bottom Second
After a flyout to Hanks, Marino began her assist campaign, grabbing a quick grounder around the runner for the out at first. Holloway struck out the final batter to strand a runner in scoring position.
Top Third
With two outs, Biggio stepped up to the plate and fired a shot far outside the wall for a solo home run, her second homer of the season, to put the Irish up 2-0.
Bottom Third
After another Holloway strikeout, Shelby Grimm popped up quick to grab the foul out of the air. Marino snagged a quick grounder backhand, flipping it to Brooke Marquez for the third out at second.
Top Fifth
Marquez led off the inning with a double, her second of the season. After she was tagged on a groundout, Emma Clark walked. Abby Sweet singled, but Clark was tagged out at third to end the inning.
Bottom Fifth
Holloway and the Irish made quick work of the inning as the clouds rolled in, retiring the first three batters on a strikeout and two more Marino putouts.
The rain delay was called after the first out in the top of the sixth, and as the weather worsened, the game was called.
RPI RELEASE
The Irish came in at No. 23 in the initial 2020 RPI rankings. They join Virginia Tech and Duke as the only ACC teams in the Top 25, and are set to/have already faced five teams in the Top 25.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame will travel to San Luis Obispo, Calif., to compete in the ShareSLO Mustang Classic at Cal Poly. The Irish will take on Cal Poly, Santa Clara and Saint Mary’s from Thursday-Sunday.
Follow along on Twitter with @NDSoftball for updates.