Thursday did not get off to the start that the previously undefeated Notre Dame softball team would have liked as the Irish fell to No. 15 Tennessee 11-3 in their opener of the St. Pete-Clearwater Elite Invitational.
The Irish got on the scoreboard early with a two-run home run from Karina Gaskins in the top of the first inning but things quickly went downhill. Starting pitcher Alexis Holloway was roughed up by Tennessee’s bats as the Lady Vols scored seven runs off her in just 1.2 innings.
.@karinaTgaskins to the 🌕
Irish up 2-0 pic.twitter.com/tA3elWX5ne
— Notre Dame Softball (@NDsoftball) February 17, 2022
Centerfielder Kiki Malloy and shortstop Ivy Davis both homered for Tennessee.
Notre Dame returns to the field Thursday night as they’ll be the home team against Wisconsin. The loss was Notre Dame’s first after starting the season 5-0 at the Green and Gold Classic in Charlotte last weekend.