LEXINGTON, Ky. – Notre Dame advances to the winner’s bracket of the Lexington Regional following a 2-1 victory over Michigan on Sunday.
Notre Dame will take on Kentucky at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET and will need to beat the Wildcats twice to advance to its first Super Regional in program history. The teams will play one game this afternoon and an if necessary game on Monday.
The Irish improved to 34-22 overall on the year, while Michigan concludes its season 44-13.
The Wolverines struck first in the top half of the sixth behind a sac fly from Lou Allan to give the designated visitors a 1-0 lead.
Notre Dame wasted little time in answering with two runs in the home half of the frame. The Irish strung together its runs behind three hits, including a game-winning sac fly off the bat of Cait Brooks, her seventh such RBI of the season.
The Irish then staved off a seventh inning rally from the Wolverines. Michigan put two runners in scoring position, but could not push across a run.
Notre Dame’s ace Alexis Holloway went the distance to move to 22-14 on the year. She gave up four hits, while striking out a pair.
NCAA Lexington Regional
May 20, 2018
Lexington, Ky.
Notre Dame 2, #17 Michigan 1
Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins
Opening Statement…
“Congrats to Notre Dame. It was a seven-inning game, and we just didn’t get it done. We didn’t get it done on offense, and I was disappointed in our defense this week. Defense has been our strength all year and I don’t know where it went. I guess I’ll spend some time trying to figure it out. We’ve done a lot of great things this year, but these last couple of weeks has not been our best ball. In the NCAA Tournament, the teams that get to keep playing are the ones playing their best ball.”
On balancing pride of successful season with disappointment of season ending …
“I’ve been doing this a long time and I know one thing – it’s not something to try to figure out right now. I spend a lot of time during the offseason trying to figure out what we can do to be great. I’m sure I’ll spend a lot of time on this.”
On Kentucky coach Rachael Lawson …
“I’m a big fan of Coach Lawson. We converse at various times. I didn’t get to see them play a lot here live, but I’m really impressed with what they’ve done with those kids that they bring in. They swing so well. I think this is one of the best swinging teams that they’ve had. She’s really a brilliant pitching coach. She’s earned a lot and I think she will continue to do well.”
Michigan Student-Athletes
#7, Madison Uden, So., IF
On their season coming to an end …
“I think it was a tough way to go out. I am extremely grateful for the senior class that we had. They contributed a lot to turn the program around, from losing a couple key players – they stepped it up. You know, that’s all you can be thankful for, you know, to be here and play for the Big Blue and the people around you.”
On what to look forward to for next year …
“I think just bringing a lot of intensity to the program. You know, contributing a big bat and playing a big role on defense, and I’ll have great teammates by my side to help me do that.”
On what they’ll remember about playing in Kentucky …
“The food was really good at the hotel.”
On Notre Dame possibly pitching around her …
“I felt really comfortable at the plate, especially this whole weekend. You know, just seeing the ball into the zone. Well, I thought – and (Alexis Holloway) wasn’t throwing a lot of strikes and being patient up there and, you know, when I got the opportunity, I just was swinging the bat. I wasn’t really looking for one but I’d take it if it came.”
#25, Faith Canfield, Jr., UT
On how the delays affected her play and the team’s play …
“I wouldn’t say it affected us that much. I mean we kept our energy up – I thought – during those breaks. We were looking forward to playing whenever we got the chance. We looked at it as ‘We get to play.’ I mean it sucks, yeah, but we’ve dealt with it all season, and so I wouldn’t say it was anything different than we’ve dealt with all year.”
On what they’ll remember about playing in Kentucky …
“Playing here is awesome. The facilities are great. I mean it’s so nice that we get to have our own locker room, and I think just taking in how awesome the facilities are. Today was a beautiful day, it was rainy all weekend but today was beautiful.”
On a lot of the team coming back next year and what to look forward to …
“Definitely excited. I mean we lose two key players. Aidan Falk and Tera Blanco had huge roles on this team, so those are going to be tough shoes to fill, but I look forward to having Taylor Bump and Meghan Beaubien really step into their roles as sophomores, knowing that they’ve been through a whole year and I think that will just increase their level of play.”
