The University of Notre Dame softball team defeated the Syracuse Orange 9-5 on Apr. 18, marking its third series win of the season and second on the road.
This victory is significant as it brings Notre Dame closer to securing a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Championships. The Irish now have eight conference wins, which is their highest total under head coach Kris Ganeff after recording seven last year. The team remains undefeated at 14-0 when scoring six or more runs in a game this season.
Key performances came from the left side of Notre Dame’s infield. Junior Avery Houlihan achieved a career-high three hits, including her first home run of the year and second career long ball, while also scoring and driving in two runs each. Freshman Ava Zachary contributed her fifth home run of the season—a shot to center field that extended Notre Dame’s lead late in the sixth inning—and finished with three runs scored and three runs batted in. Zachary leads the team with 26 RBI this year.
Pitchers Brianne Weiss and Kami Kamzik combined to limit Syracuse to five hits while striking out five batters. Weiss earned her eighth win of the season, moving to an even record, while Kamzik collected her third save.
Notre Dame will aim for a series sweep against Syracuse with another game scheduled for noon eastern on ACCNX.
