The University of Notre Dame softball team lost the final game of its series against No. 6/10 Florida State by a score of 8-4, according to an April 4 announcement. The defeat brings the Irish to a record of 16-22 overall and 5-10 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
The matchup was notable for Tenley Sweet’s first career home run, a three-run shot over center field in the second inning that put Notre Dame ahead early. Sweet became the tenth different player on the team this season to hit a home run. Rebecca Eckart contributed with an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Hayden Kyne for Notre Dame’s first run and marking her sixteenth RBI of the year.
After building a four-run lead, Notre Dame saw Florida State respond with three runs in the third inning, aided by aggressive baserunning and an error from Notre Dame. The Seminoles tied the game at four in the fourth inning with a two-out triple and took their first lead on a two-out double in the fifth.
Notre Dame threatened again in the sixth when Caroline O’Brien and Sydny Poeck drew consecutive walks, but were unable to capitalize as Florida State turned a double play followed by a groundout. In their half of that inning, Florida State added three more runs to secure an 8-4 advantage.
The Irish will return home for their next game against Valparaiso on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., which will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
With several players contributing offensively throughout this season, including ten different athletes hitting home runs so far, observers will watch how Notre Dame responds as they continue conference play.
