Joey Cruz, Spectacular Magazine, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Virginia Cavaliers
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The Fighting Irish Shut Out Virginia in Tourney Win

Joey Cruz

Charlotte, NC – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish dominated the Virginia Cavaliers, boasting a final score of 3-0 on the final day of pool play in the ACC tournament.

Not much else could have gone wrong for the Cavaliers, as the Cavaliers were out after only three batters. Griff O’Ferrall struck out, Max Cotier struck out, and Alex Tappen was grounded out en route to first base. The Irish stepped up to bat, but only secured one hit. Spencer Myers and Brooks Coetzee were both grounded out, and Jack Zyska flew out to right field. Only Carter Putz secured a hit to the right side, but he was left on base as the Irish retired. Neither the Irish nor the Cavaliers had secured any runs in the first, and the score was tied up zero apiece.

The Cavaliers had just as little luck in the second as they did in the first, tacking on three outs in just as many at-bats. The Irish managed to get on the board, however. Graduate student David LaManna secured the double, and freshman Jack Penney walked to first. Zack Prajzner followed up with a single to the pitcher and secured the RBI as LaManna ran through home. Two more outs retired the Irish with a lead of one run to none.

The Irish picked back up in the fourth, as junior Jack Brannigan nailed the single. Penney followed the single with a double to left-field, securing the RBI as Brannigan ran through home. Penney, out of Wakefield, MA, secured his 17th RBI of the season.

The Irish extended their lead in the bottom o the sixth inning. LaManna secured the single, then walked to second off a wild pitch. Penney secured the single, and LaManna advanced to third. To cap off the inning, Prajzner secured the hit, and the RBI as LaManna ran through home. Unfortunately for the Irish, Prajzner flew out in the process. the Irish were retired for the inning as sophomore Danny Neri flew out to center-field.

The closest the Cavaliers came to scoring was at the top of the eighth, where they had bases loaded as they were retired. The Irish comfortably secure the win as they advance to the semi-final round of the ACC tournament. They will face the winner of UNC vs Virginia Tech on Saturday, May 28 at Truist Field.