The Notre Dame Baseball team are headed home with a series win, as Link Jarrett navigated his team to two out of three wins against University of Alabama-Birmingham this weekend in his first series as the Irish Manager. In his first start of his career, Will Mercer went three innings and gave up 3 runs while striking out three. Mercer pitched well, but was a bit wild, hitting two batters over his three innings.
The offense scored runs early, trying to give Mercer a cushion early on, as Catcher Danny LaManna drove in 2 runs with a double in the top of the second and DH Carter Putz scored on 3B Niko Kavadas sacrifice-fly. The 3 run lead would evaporate in the 2nd as Mercer gave up his all three of his runs with two outs.
TOP 5 | IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS GONE!!
Niko Kavadas launches a two-run homer, his first of the season, to put the Irish back in front!!
ND 5, UAB 3
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đ https://t.co/9XTTPUExC1#GoIrish âď¸ pic.twitter.com/5LTs0n5XJ1— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) February 16, 2020
Kavadas came up with one on in the 5th and launch his first homer of the year, giving the Irish a 5-3 lead they wouldnât squander. Putz doubled in two more runs and scored on the play with some aid by sloppy Blazer defense. Second baseman Jared Miller then drove in SS Jack Prajzner to get to the final 9-3 tally.
FINAL – Notre Dame 9, UAB 3
The Irish bats come alive to clinch the series over UAB!
Carter Putz led the way with three hits and three runs! Niko Kavadas launched a homer and tallied 3 RBI!#GoIrish âď¸ pic.twitter.com/H0upDzfFhg
— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) February 16, 2020
The Irish relief pitchers where the story of the game as Mitch Megias, Tommy Vail and Joe Boyle held UAB to no runs over 6 innings without allowing a hit, just one walk, and striking out 7 Blazers. It was a very successful first weekend for Jarrett and the Irish as they return home with a 2-1 record and get ready for the Alamo Irish Classic next weekend in Texas. Their first game is against Incarnate Word on Thursday at 7pm EST.