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Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Notre Dame are set to generate $10.5 million in salary cap flexibility by parting ways with inside…

Notre Dame (16-18) managed to cling to a 7-6 victory over Valparaiso (11-23), fending off a ninth-inning rally from the Beacons and improving their home record to 6-4.

Infielder Connor Hincks led the charge for the Irish offense, coming close to hitting for the cycle with a single, triple, and home run, contributing three RBIs. Additionally, Hincks executed another fielding double play, adding to his season total of 29.

Right-handed pitcher D.J. Helwig, making his first career start, secured his maiden win on a bullpen day, while reliever Nate Hardman secured his fourth save of the season.

The game began with both teams going three up, three down in the opening inning, with Helwig recording two strikeouts for Notre Dame.

Valparaiso initiated the second inning with a walk, followed by a single to put runners on base. Despite the pressure, Helwig managed another strikeout, and a double steal attempt resulted in the second out. A subsequent foul-out by INF Simon Baumgardt allowed the Irish to take their turn at bat in the bottom of the inning.

Notre Dame seized the opportunity in the bottom of the second as Hincks singled, immediately followed by another single from Baumgardt. A walk to DH Tito Flores loaded the bases, setting the stage for OF Brady Gumpf’s single, which brought in the first run. Two more runs came in as OF T.J. Williams singled, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 3-0 before the inning concluded.

Helwig and the Irish defense held Valparaiso scoreless once more in the third inning, with only a single allowed. However, Notre Dame batters were retired in order during their half of the inning.

RHP Bennett Flynn took over pitching duties for Notre Dame in the fourth inning, maintaining Valparaiso’s scoreless streak while allowing a hit. The Irish offense, unfortunately, failed to capitalize, going down in order.

Valparaiso managed to narrow the gap in the fifth inning, scoring two runs after delivering a single and drawing a walk. However, Notre Dame responded in the bottom half of the inning, with Williams leading off with a single and eventually scoring on a single by INF Jack Penney, followed by Hincks’s triple to extend the lead to 5-2.

The seesaw continued in the subsequent innings, with Valparaiso scoring another run in the sixth while Notre Dame added two more runs in the bottom half of the inning, courtesy of Hincks’s homer.

The Irish held onto their lead despite a valiant effort from Valparaiso in the ninth inning, securing the 7-6 victory with Hardman’s relief pitching and solid defensive play from Gumpf.

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