After falling behind 2-0 in Friday’s series opener at Eck Stadium, the No. 7 Notre Dame baseball team did what they’ve done several times already this year:
Came back to win.
Jack Brannigan was the star of the night for the now 17-6 (15-6 in ACC) Fighting Irish as he batted in all three runs in the 3-2 victory.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth with two on and two outs, Brannigan came through with a single up the middle to score both runners and tie the game at two.
Still tied at two in the bottom of the eighth, big bopper Niko Kavadas got things going with a one-out walk before Carter Putz and Jack Zyska both singled to load the bases. It was then Brannigan getting hit on an 0-2 pitch that batted in the eventual winning run.
Will Mercer was solid on the mound for the Irish, allowing only two runs in five innings while Tanner Kohlhepp was outstanding, going the final four innings in relief and allowing just one baserunner.
The loss ended the Wolfpack’s six-game winning streak and propelled the Irish into first place in the ACC’s Atlantic division as Louisville lost 8-7 at Virginia in extra innings Friday.
Game two of the weekend series between Notre Dame and NC State is set to get started at 2 p.m. ET at Eck Stadium on Saturday and can be seen on ACC Extra Network.