A two-run home run by first baseman Connor Hincks proved to be just enough cushion for Notre Dame baseball to pick up a home nonconference victory over Valparaiso on Tuesday.
The Irish held on for a 7-6 victory over the Beacons despite allowing a three-run homer in the ninth inning.
Notre Dame (16-18) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The Irish loaded the bases with back-to-back singles by Hincks and third baseman Simon Baumgardt and a walk by designated hitter Tito Flores. Right fielder Brady Gumpf plated Hincks with an RBI single. After catcher Carson Tinney flew out to right field, centerfielder TJ Williams knocked in two more runs with a single.
Valpo (11-23) pulled within one run in the fifth inning with a two-RBI single by Ryan Maka off reliever Bennett Flynn in his second inning of work. The Irish responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Shortstop Jack Penney scored Williams with an RBI single. Then Hincks knocked in Penney with an RBI triple.
Valpo scored another run in the sixth inning with an Alex Ryan RBI single off Ricky Reeth in his first of two innings of relief. Then Hincks gave Notre Dame some insurance runs with a two-run blast in the seventh. He's second on the team in RBIs this season with 32, one behind David Glancy.
Notre Dame found itself in trouble in the ninth inning when senior picher Sammy Cooper hit the first two batters. Closer Nate Hardman replaced him, but he allowed a three-run homer to Carson Husmann after striking out Maka. Hardman escaped to earn his fourth save of the season by getting the last two Valpo hitters to fly out to right field.
Notre Dame starter DJ Helwig, a freshman right-hander, picked up his first career win for pitching three scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and one walk and struck out three.
Notre Dame's only victories in April have come against nonconference opponents. The Irish have lost their last 10 ACC games. The last conference win came against Miami on March 23. The win over Valpo was the second nonconference victory during that stretch.
The Irish can pick up a third Wednesday with a home matchup with Purdue Fort Wayne (13-22) at 6:30 p.m. EDT (ACCNX)
The Irish held on for a 7-6 victory over the Beacons despite allowing a three-run homer in the ninth inning.
Notre Dame (16-18) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The Irish loaded the bases with back-to-back singles by Hincks and third baseman Simon Baumgardt and a walk by designated hitter Tito Flores. Right fielder Brady Gumpf plated Hincks with an RBI single. After catcher Carson Tinney flew out to right field, centerfielder TJ Williams knocked in two more runs with a single.
Valpo (11-23) pulled within one run in the fifth inning with a two-RBI single by Ryan Maka off reliever Bennett Flynn in his second inning of work. The Irish responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Shortstop Jack Penney scored Williams with an RBI single. Then Hincks knocked in Penney with an RBI triple.
Valpo scored another run in the sixth inning with an Alex Ryan RBI single off Ricky Reeth in his first of two innings of relief. Then Hincks gave Notre Dame some insurance runs with a two-run blast in the seventh. He's second on the team in RBIs this season with 32, one behind David Glancy.
Notre Dame found itself in trouble in the ninth inning when senior picher Sammy Cooper hit the first two batters. Closer Nate Hardman replaced him, but he allowed a three-run homer to Carson Husmann after striking out Maka. Hardman escaped to earn his fourth save of the season by getting the last two Valpo hitters to fly out to right field.
Notre Dame starter DJ Helwig, a freshman right-hander, picked up his first career win for pitching three scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and one walk and struck out three.
Notre Dame's only victories in April have come against nonconference opponents. The Irish have lost their last 10 ACC games. The last conference win came against Miami on March 23. The win over Valpo was the second nonconference victory during that stretch.
The Irish can pick up a third Wednesday with a home matchup with Purdue Fort Wayne (13-22) at 6:30 p.m. EDT (ACCNX)
