Category: Notre Dame softball

Watch: Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman hits home runs in #StrikeoutCancer

Does Freeman have a bit of Mighty Casey in him?

We all knew that [autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag] head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] was going to join the softball team’s effort to raise money for cancer awareness in their #StrikeoutCaner Home Run Derby.

Freeman had ten swings and did exactly what he believed he could do, hit 4 of them over the fence.

The Irish head coach had plenty of inspiration, as the reigning ACC Player of the Year, [autotag]Karina Gaskins[/autotag], blasted three home runs of her own against Pitt as Notre Dame defeated the visitors 10-2 before Freeman took his cuts.

His reply confirmed that thought. Freeman didn’t look like a former football player swinging the bat, his form needs a bit of work, but the raw power is there.

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On Notre Dame’s ‘offensive’ mascot, nickname

Does the nickname “Fighting Irish” offend you?

Sadly I’m not at all surprised SOME people are offended by the Notre Dame mascot and nickname.

Some people also have enough time on their hands to complain and moan about a mascot but don’t use any time to actually research said mascot or team nickname.  They’d instead rather be upset and distraught than listening for a minute and perhaps learning a thing or two.

That’s not to take anything away from some of the egregious mockeries sports have made with names, logos and mascots over time.  The Washington Football Team’s old nickname, Cleveland Indians former logo, and Marquette University’s appalling old mascot were all called out until changed and rightfully so.  Each of those examples were done to make a mockery of a certain group of people and that can’t be denied.

The Notre Dame leprechaun mascot however?

Since it was just named the fourth most-offensive mascot in college sports let’s go over just a few things to see just how “offensive” the mascot and Fighting Irish names are.

*-please note that all bold type below is taken from Dana Hunsinger Benbow’s recent piece for the Indianapolis Star

Notre Dame softball tosses no-hitter in home opener

No-hitter, no-hitter, no-hitter, no-hitter…

There are good opening days and then there are great opening days when it comes to baseball or softball, and Notre Dame’s softball team had a great one home opener on Wednesday afternoon.

Playing host to Valparaiso, the Irish cruised to an 8-0 victory, but the final score doesn’t tell the complete story as Alexis Holloway, Morgan Ryan, and Payton Didd combined to no-hit the Crusaders.  This marks the second time this season the Irish combined to no-hit the opposition, doing so back on Valentine’s Day versus Alabama State.

Notre Dame struck early on offense, scoring twice in the first inning that got started thanks to senior Abby Sweet’s leadoff double.

Chelsea Purcell’s three-for-three afternoon included a three-run home run for the Irish that streched the lead to 6-0 in the third inning and the only compelling part remaining was if Valparaiso would record a hit.

Ryan entered in the fourth inning and recorded two innings without allowing a hit before Didd pitched the sixth inning before a Leea Hanks RBI-double extended the lead to 8-0, invoking the slaughter rule and completing the no-hitter.

Notre Dame improves to 13-8 overall in 2021 as they’re 6-6 in ACC play.  The Irish remain home this weekend to host North Carolina State for a four game series.

Four consecutive at-bats, four homers?!? See Notre Dame’s Gaskins going off

Gaskins went homer happy

Although the Notre Dame softball team doesn’t get much love, that needs to change after an absolutely massive performance yesterday. Freshman Karina Gaskins had an afternoon to remember against Georgia Tech in the second game of their doubleheader.

The infielder had four consecutive at-bats with the best possible outcome, homers.

https://twitter.com/ndsoftball/status/1373435437839175682?s=21

They weren’t all solo shots either, Gaskins totaled 10 RBI’s on her four long-balls leading the Irish to a victory in the second game, earning a split of the doubleheader.

In total the Irish hit six homers over the two Saturday games, but Gaskins’ individual performance was the highlight of the day. The softball looks to take the series this afternoon as their rubber match is set for a noon eastern start in Atlanta.