After the team’s matches against Illinois-Chicago and DePaul were postponed and canceled, respectively, the Irish look ahead to their three-game weekend series against Duke. All three games will take place at Melissa Cook Stadium. The Irish have only had two games in South Bend so far this season, making this weekend their first home series against a singular opponent.
The team has been posting stellar performances this spring, going 22-6 overall so far. Several of their wins occurred via mercy rule over the course of five innings, indicating their dominance as a unit. Despite this team effort, several players are beginning to make a name for themselves as individual athletes. Sophomore first baseman Karina Gaskins has proven to be a key player for the Irish, being named both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s National Player of the Week and the ACC’s Player of the Week. This is her first time receiving both of these awards.
In addition to helping the Irish record their collective most runs scored in a game and the largest margin of victory in program history, she became the second team member to mark four hits in a game this season. Over the past five games for Notre Dame, she notched a double, two homers, and eight runs scored. These home runs came at crucial parts of their matchups, extending the Irish's lead against their opponents.
The Blue Devils are 23-4 overall and will prove to be a formidable opponent for the Irish. However, they are coming off of a mixed weekend at Clemson, while the Irish have a six-game win streak. They will kick off their series, and their fight to extend their winning stretch, at 5 p.m. Friday night.
