Freshman RHP Will Hudgins.

Will Hudgins Named To BIG EAST Baseball Honor Roll

April 27, 2009

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame right-handed hurler Will Hudgins was named to the BIG EAST Weekly honor roll on Monday. The freshman made three relief appearances in the series at Louisville and tossed 3.2 scoreless innings with two saves.

Hudgins (Richmond, Va.) sure took advantage of his opportunity as the Irish closer. After Louisville plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to rally past the Irish, 8-7, in the series opener, Hudgins moved into the back end of bullpen and preceded to register saves in each of the next two days (the first two of his career).

Hudgins made three relief appearances over the weekend and tossed 3.2 scoreless innings with two saves against the Cardinals. He entered in Saturday’s victory with the Irish lead trimmed to 9-5 and two runners on base with just one out, but Hudgins got an inning-ending double play before tossing a scoreless ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts. He then took the mound in the ninth inning of Sunday’s victory. After the Irish rallied to grab a 13-12 lead on sophomore Golden Tate’s solo home run, Hudgins worked around a leadoff walk and retired the final two Cardinals with the tying run in scoring position.

Notre Dame returns to action on Tuesday and Wednesday this week with a pair of non-conference games. The Irish host both Illinois-Chicago and Bowling Green at Frank Eck Stadium. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

— ND —