Notre Dame softball: Seminoles edge Irish

Notre Dame pushed No. 4 Florida State to the brink in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in College Park, Md., Satruday before losing, 3-1.

The No. 20 Irish tied it in the top of the fourth against ace Lacey Waldrop, but Florida State scored twice in the final three frames for the win.

Florida State (50-6) took the lead in the bottom of the first as ACC Player of the Year Maddie O’Brien hit a solo home run with two out.

Notre Dame broke through in the top of the fourth when Emilee Koerner lined her 24th double down the right-field line off Waldrop (33-4) with two outs. Katey Haus followed with a sharp single up the middle scoring Koerner and tying the contest at 1.

With two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Celeste Gomez, the ACC Championship Most Valuable Player Gomez lined a hard single off the wall in center, bringing pinch-runner Lauren Harris across to give Florida State the lead back at 2-1 before Courtney Senas added a home run for Florida State in the bottom of the fifth to close the scoring.

Notre Dame (39-11) awaits Sunday’s seeding for the 2014 NCAA Championship.

NFCA National Freshman of the Year Top 10 finalist Karley Wester and all-ACC first team selection Laura Winter represented the Irish on the all-ACC Championship Team.

FLORIDA STATE 3, NOTRE DAME 1

At ACC Championship College Park, Md.

Lacey Waldrop (W, 33-4); Laura Winter (L, 27-5).

2B: Emilee Koerner (ND).

HR: Courtney Senas (FS), Maddie O’Brien (FS).