The bats were alive early for Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish baseball team hung on for game one against the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in taking game one of the Knoxville Super Regional on Friday night. The win puts Notre Dame within one victory of reaching what would be their third College World Series appearance of all-time.
Ryan Cole started the game with a first pitch single before stealing second, reaching third on an error, and Carter Putz then put Notre Dame on the board early with a two-run home run.
Jared Miller added a solo home run in the second while a Jack Zyska two-run home run extended the Irish lead to 5-0 in the third.
Tennessee was anything but an easy out from there, answering with one run in the bottom of the third, but Jack Brannigan launched a three-run home run to extend the lead to 8-1 for the Irish.
However, it was holding on for dear life from there for Notre Dame as the Vols, like they have all year, scratched and clawed their way back, bringing back memories of the letdown the Irish suffered in game one of the Super Regional at Mississippi State last year.
Notre Dame finished an 8-6 victor on Friday night and have their ace in John Michael Bertrand throwing next.
Game two takes place Saturday afternoon as the Irish have a chance to clinch their third trip to Omaha and the College World Series in program history.
Check out the best photos from Notre Dame’s massive win below!