Notre Dame softball: Irish grab a pair of wins
The Notre Dame softball team kept its early-season momentum rolling Friday on the opening day of the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic.
The No. 23 Irish began the day with a 7-3 win over Fordham, then closed out regional foe Illinois State, 4-2, in the nightcap in Kissimmee, Fla.
Notre Dame (12-3) has won 10 of its last 12 contests, outscoring opponents by a cumulative 70-33 run differential in those games. The Irish have also won their last six games at the Citrus Classic, dating back to their four victories at last season's tournament.
Junior Jenna Simon led all Notre Dame batters with three hits during the day's games, adding a double and two RBI to the Irish attack. Classmate Cassidy Whidden chipped in a pair of RBIs, while senior captain Chloe Saganowich contributed an RBI triple against Fordham.
NOTRE DAME 7, FORDHAM 3
| Fordham | 000 | 210 | 0 -- 3 4 3 |
| Notre Dame | 201 | 130 | x -- 7 9 0 |
Allie Rhodes (W, 4-1), Rachel Nasland (5) (S,2); Nichele Daubman (L, 3-6), Rachel Gillen (5).
2B: (F) Sydney Canessa; (ND) Emilee Koerner, Katey Haus 2, Laura Winter, Jenna Simon)
3B: (ND) Chloe Saganowich.
HR: (F) Kayla Lombardo
NOTRE DAME 4, ILLINOIS STATE 2
| Illinois State | 100 | 001 | 0 -- 2 6 1 |
| Notre Dame | 200 | 101 | x -- 4 5 0 |
Laura Winter (W, 7-2); Taylor Baxter (L, 1-6).
2B: (I) Stephanie Gallant; (ND) Koerner, Winter.
Records: Notre Dame 12-3.