Kavadas Homers Again, Notre Dame Baseball Defeats UNC 8-5 in ACC Opener

Notre Dame Baseball improved to 8-2 after beating North Carolina 8-5 in Chapel Hill.

Once again, the Irish offense got on the board early to stake ace Tommy Sheehan a lead to work with. Another long ball from 1B Niko Kavadas, his 6th of the year, in the second and three more runs in the third gave Sheehan a nice 4-0 early cushion in Chapel Hill.

The big blow in the second came off shortstop Zach Prajzner’s bat, as the other two runs weren’t as exciting with a 2B Jared Miller walk with the bases loaded and a Kavadas Sac-Fly.

Sheehan then gave up two in the bottom of the 4th to the Tar Heels, which ended his night and gave way to Tommy Vail. Vail was extremely effective giving up just three more runs in his five innings to close the game out.

The Irish got one back on CF Spencer Myers RBI single in the top of the 6th but Carolina made it a game in the bottom of the seventh, with Notre Dame keeping a 5-4 lead at the stretch.

Miller’s second RBI of the game in the top of the 8th gave the Irish a two-run lead once again and they never looked back.

Two more runs in the 9th off 3B Jack Brannigan’s double and DH Carter Putz scoring on a wild pitch. Although Vail gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, he still earned the win. First year manager Link Jarrett has to be ecstatic about this start, Notre Dame improving to 8-2 so far this year after the 8-5 win. The Irish look to win their 4th straight series tomorrow with first pitch scheduled at 2pm EST.