The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will head out on the road to challenge the Tygarts Valley Bulldogs at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Notre Dame is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.6 runs per game this season.
On Thursday, Notre Dame made easy work of Harman and carried off a 25-7 victory. The Fighting Irish might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four matchups by nine runs or more this season.
Isaiah Garnek and Britain Hill made a big impact while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Garnek pitched 1.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Hill pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. At bat, Garnek went 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one stolen base, while Hill went 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs. Those four hits gave Hill a new career-high.
Dominico Minnocci
| 04/24/25 vs Harman | 4 |
| 03/19/25 vs Hundred | 3 |
| 04/07/25 vs Valley | 2 |
| 04/05/25 vs Cameron | 2 |
| 04/16/25 @ Trinity Christian | 1 |
In other batting news, Dominico Minnocci and Kaiden Posey did most of the damage at the plate: Minnocci went a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs, three RBI, and one double, while Posey went 3-for-5 with four runs, four RBI, and two doubles. Those four runs gave Minnocci a new career-high. Josef Ricketts was another key player, going 2-for-5 with two runs.
Notre Dame kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 22 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5.3 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 contests they've averaged 9.8.
Meanwhile, Tygarts Valley hadn't done well against Pendleton County recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. The Bulldogs skirted past the Wildcat 1-0. The win continues a trend for the Bulldogs in their matchups with the Wildcat: they've now won three in a row.
Jaxon Drennen was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 16 over 7.1 innings pitched. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two hits in seven consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, firing off four doubles and one run while going 4-for-5. He has become a key player for Tygarts Valley: the team is 5-2 when he posts at least three hits, but 3-4 otherwise.
Notre Dame is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 7-5 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.5 runs over those games. As for Tygarts Valley, their record now sits at 8-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Notre Dame has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Tygarts Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 11.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Notre Dame couldn't quite get it done against Tygarts Valley in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 9-6. Can the Fighting Irish avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
