SOUTH BEND, Ind. – After a senior season that saw Payton Tidd earn All-Atlantic Coast Conference for the third time of her career and National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region honors for the second time, Tidd announced she will be returning for her fifth season as a graduate student for the 2022-23 school year.
“It’s been an honor to play for Notre Dame for the last four seasons.” Tidd said, “Wearing this jersey and playing for this university has given me so much pride. My commitment to the Irish has, and will continue to be, the best decision I have ever made.”
“To Our Lady, I will be forever grateful for the failures, lessons, and friendships I have experienced these last four years.” Tidd continued, “With that, I am excited to announce that I will be returning to complete a master’s degree and play for the Fighting Irish for one more year. I’m exactly where I want to be and wouldn’t want to play for any other program, coaches, or with any other teammates.”
“I’m so excited for Payton to be back with this team and ready to do some damage next season.” Head coach Deanna Gumpf said, “She is a great leader on and off the field and I can’t wait to see what she does with her additional year of eligibility.”
This season, Tidd earned Second Team All-ACC and NFCA All-Region honors. She finished the season leading the Fighting Irish with 130.2 innings pitched and 15 wins. She earned a 2.79 ERA, making a team-high 32 appearances and starting 19 games. She struck out 97 hitters and held opponents to a .219 average against. The California-native got the starting nod and earned wins over nationally ranked LSU, Duke and Northwestern. In ACC play, Tidd went 7-2 with a 2.49 ERA in 56.1 innings.
At the plate, Tidd logged 68 at bats, hitting for a .279 average. She hit four doubles and her four home runs were tied for fifth-most on the team. She drove in 14 runs and scored nine of her own. She hit a game-tying home run against LSU at the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invite, while throwing a complete game with four strikeouts to earn the win.
In her career, Tidd has started 83 games and appeared in 116, earning a 59-22 overall record and a 2.47 ERA. She’s worked 492.1 innings with 379 strikeouts and a career batting average against of .227. At the plate, Tidd has a .230 career average with eight career homers, 29 RBI, and 21 runs scored.