Notre Dame softball: Irish go 1-1 in tourney
Notre Dame settled for a split in its first two contests of the season at the Auburn Plainsman Invitational Saturday in Auburn, Ala.
Cassidy Whidden went 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Irish to a 9-1 win against Tennessee Tech in the opener. Katey Haus and Laura Winter each added a pair of RBIs.
In the nightcap, North Dakota State starter Krista Menke handcuffed the Irish lineup in a 4-1 Bison victory. Menke scattered six hits and walked three with a pair of strikeouts.
Megan Sorlie had two hits for Notre Dame (1-1).
NOTRE DAME 9, TENNESSEE TECH 1
| TT | 000 | 001 | — 1 4 1 |
| ND | 430 | 002 | — 9 8 1 |
Taylor Ketchum (L, 0-2), Hannah Weaver (1); Allie Rhodes (W, 1-0), Rachel Nasland (5).
2B: Madi Taylor (TT), Chris Gibbs (TT), Micaela Arizmendi (ND).
3B: Emilee Koerner (ND), Karley Wester (ND), Katey Haus (ND).
HR: Cassidy Whidden (ND).
N. DAKOTA STATE 4, NOTRE DAME 1
| ND | 000 | 001 | 0 — 1 6 1 |
| ND State | 010 | 012 | x — 4 9 0 |
Laura Winter (L, 0-1); Krista Menke (W, 2-1).
2B: Maritza Lopez-Portillo (NDST).
HR: Amanda Grable (NDST).
Records: Notre Dame 1-1.