Despite building a 2-0 lead heading into the sixth inning, No. 23/25 Notre Dame was unable to hold off an offensive surge from DePaul on Friday at Cacciatore Stadium in Chicago, ultimately losing 4-2.
The was the second late-game comeback in three games for the Blue Demons (24-8, 7-0 Big East) against the Irish (22-8, 3-3 ACC), having won last year’s contest by a score of 5-2, also after scoring four runs in the sixth inning.
The Irish started the game off strong, with junior All-American centerfielder Emilee Koerner stroking a two-out double into the gap for her ACC-leading 13th of the season before being stranded in scoring position in the first inning.
The Irish notched a second run courtesy of a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by junior third baseman Katey Haus, but that would be the last run of the game for the Irish.
DePaul senior Hannah Penna provided the turning point of the game, coming in as a pinch hitter before cranking a pitch from Irish senior ace Laura Winter over the wall for a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Though ultimately responsible for the decisive runs against the Irish, once again Winter (14-4) submitted a solid performance on the mound. Over six innings of work, she allowed only five hits and one walk and struck out nine batters, while allowing only three earned runs on 87 pitches thrown.
The Irish resume play Wednesday when they travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to take on North Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Anderson Stadium.
