This wasn’t the way new [autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag] head coach [autotag]Shawn Stiffler[/autotag] envisioned opening the season: losing to Lipscomb, 5-4. It was a difficult go for the Irish hitters, who mustered one hit all afternoon.
The hit was a big one. Outfielder [autotag]TJ Williams[/autotag] blasted a two-run homer in the top of the fifth. The offense showed some life late, putting two runners on in the ninth. Both advanced and scored on wild pitches. With two outs, Zack Prajzner walked and Williams came to the plate. He struck out to end the game.
It wasn’t easy on Irish pitchers either. Both starter [autotag]Blake Hely[/autotag] and reliever [autotag]Jack Findlay[/autotag] gave up multiple runs.
Hely lasted three innings, giving up three runs while striking out just one. Findlay came in to relieve him. While he had his strikeout pitches working, fanning seven, he gave up two runs in his three innings.
It's outta here!
TJ Williams homers to left field and brings home Kmet to make it a 2-3 ballgame with 1 out in the top of the fifth! #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/f5k4I0ddIM
— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) February 17, 2023
The Irish try again for win No. 1 of the year on Saturday, 3 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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