Once again the Irish come out on top of ACC another series, this time just a two-game set against host North Carolina State. Friday evening saw Link Jarrett’s team battle back late to erase a four-run deficit and ultimately get an extra inning win.
Saturday’s game was canceled due to rain, so Sunday’s finale would determine if the Irish would win the series or return to South Bend with a split. Notre Dame would not be denied another series win, notching a 11-4 victory and extend their winning steak to nine games and starting the ACC conference schedule with two wins and no losses.
FINAL – #3 Notre Dame 11, #17 NC State 4
The Irish take both games from the Wolfpack and extend their winning streak to 9 games!#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/LjDxQrM11v
— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) March 13, 2022
Although the Irish never trailed on Sunday, the Wolfpack did make it close. After four and a half innings, the visitors led 4-0 but NC State wouldn’t roll over that easily. They scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Saturday rain out helped the Irish in this situation.
John Michael Bertrand, who was scheduled to start the middle game, instead started the finale, going five innings allowing three runs. Austin Temple, who was supposed to start on Sunday, came in relief of Bertrand and finished out the game with four strong innings, allowing just one run. They combined for nine strikeouts, and the Irish bats did the rest.
A pair of runs in the top of the eighth, followed by a handful in the top of the ninth sealed the game for the Irish. Carter Putz was the catalyst at the dish, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Jared Miller scored three runs while adding his second steal of the season.
The 11-4 getaway day win improved the Notre Dame record to 11-1 as they once again stand on top of the ACC Atlantic division standings. Three other teams are undefeated in conference play, but each of them (North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia Tech) are on the Coastal division.
The Irish will finally host a game in South Bend, as they welcome in Valparaiso on Tuesday afternoon at 4:00pm CST.
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