CLEARWATER, Fla. – The University of Notre Dame had the game-winning run at the plate, but couldn’t bring it in as the Irish dropped a 2-1 contest to the Wisconsin Badgers Thursday night. The Irish rallied in the bottom of the seventh, but had the tying run thrown out trying to score to end the contest. Notre Dame falls to 5-2 on the season, while Wisconsin improves to 5-3
Senior Payton Tidd suffered the loss but put together a solid showing in the circle. Tidd threw all 7.0 innings, scattering five hits, two earned runs and struck out seven.
The Irish offense totaled four hits on the evening, three came in its final at bat. Leea Hanks, Tidd, Miranda Johnson and Joley Mitchell all notched singles, with Mitchell driving in a run.
Wisconsin struck first in the top of the first inning. A one-out double off the top of the wall in right came around to score on a single that was just out of the reach for the diving Irish shortstop.
The Badgers doubled up their lead in the top of the sixth with a solo home run.
Notre Dame threatened in the bottom of the seventh, getting back-to-back singles from Tidd and Johnson to bring the winning run to the plate. Mitchell dropped a single into shallow center field, allowing Tran, who pinch ran for Tidd, to score. After hesitation by the Wisconsin defense, the shortstop picked up the single and began the relay that was in time to tag the runner out at home to extinguish the rally.
Up Next
The Irish are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on the South Florida Bulls at 3 p.m. for the third leg of the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational, Presented by Wilson.