Despite mustering just three hits on Friday night, Notre Dame baseball opened the 2024 season Friday night with a 3-1 victory at Rice.
Rice designated hitter Nathan Becker singled in the first run of the game, scoring Jack Riedel. That would be the only run Notre Dame starting pitcher Caden Spivey would allow in his three innings of work.
Radek Birkholz came out of the bullpen for the Irish and threw three shutout innings, allowing just one hit along the way, while striking out three.
Left fielder David Glancy got Notre Dame on the board in the second as he drew a bases loaded walk.
First baseman Josh Hahn put the Irish ahead in the fifth as he got hit by a Parker Smith pitch, making the score 2-1. Simon Baumgardt then hit into a double play which did however end up in another Notre Dame run.
Bennett Flynn (2 IP) and Nate Hardman combined to allow just two base runners over the final three innings to secure the season opening victory, 3-1.
Notre Dame and Rice battle in game two of the series opening series in Houston on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.