Irish Take Two From EMU

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Eastern Michigan University softball team dropped a doubleheader to the University of Notre Dame here today, April 9, in the final two games ever at Ivy Field. The Eagles lost the first game of the twinbill, 10-1, and the second game by a count of 5-1. EMU is now 8-18 (0-2 MAC).

Today’s doubleheader was the final set of games being played at Ivy Field on the campus of Notre Dame. The Irish are set to move to a new venue, Melissa Cook Stadium, this weekend.

In the first game, the Notre Dame offense came out firing, scoring seven runs in the first two innings. The Irish scored four runs in the first inning, forcing the Eagles to make a pitching change in the middle of the inning. Sophomore pitcher Michelle Hletko (Westmont, Ill.-Westmont) came on in relief of Kari Chambers (Woodstock, Ga.-Woodstock) to record the final two outs. Chambers lasted only 0.1 innings, giving up four earned runs on three hits.

The Eagles scored their first run of the game in the top of the fourth, after senior Ashley Strauss (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) knocked a single through the left side. With Strauss at first, junior catcher Heather Han (Lafayette, Ind.-McCutcheon) ripped a double to right centerfield, plating a run for the Eagles.

After keeping the Irish scoreless in the third inning, the Irish offense responded with a three-run fourth inning. Christine Lux accounted for the scoring, hitting a deep, three-run homer over the scoreboard in centerfield to put ND up, 10-1 after four in the books. The Eagles were not able to score a run in the top half of the fifth, ending the game.

Chambers was charged with the loss, dropping to 3-8 on the season. Hletko pitched 3.2 innings in relief, giving up six earned runs on six hits while notching one strikeout. The Eagles tallied three hits in the first game, with Han, Strauss and sophomore outfielder Jenny Scherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) accounting for all of the Eagle offense.

The second game started off much better for the Eagles, as they scored in the second inning to take an early lead. Han reached base after singling to left field. A Jessica Grant (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern) sacrifice bunt moved Han to second, who then scored off freshman Stacie Skodinski’s (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) double to put the Green and White up 1-0.

The Irish knotted the game up at one in the third inning, as Lux hit a single up the middle, scoring a run. Scherer’s throw from centerfield caught Sarah Smith out at home, saving a run and ending the inning for the Eagles.

The Notre Dame bats did not stay quiet for long, as the Irish exploded for five hits in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to put the home team up, 5-1. Chambers came on in relief of Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy’s Priory) to record the final out of the inning.

In the top of the seventh, Hletko picked up her first career hit when her ground ball stayed fair down the third base line. Despite the base runner, the Eagles were not able to put any more runs on the board, dropping the second game of the doubleheader, 5-1.

Caro picked up the loss in the second game, dropping to 4-8 on the year. She pitched 4.2 innings, giving up eight hits and five earned runs while striking out two. Chambers struck out two in her relief appearance. Offensively, the Eagles notched four hits, all by different players.

The Eagles will go back to Mid-American Conference play this weekend, traveling to Bowling Green, Ohio to take on the Falcons in a doubleheader, Friday, April 11. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Following that series, EMU heads to Toledo to play the Rockets in singles games, set for Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.), April 12-13.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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