Frank DeSico's two-strike, two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning plated the winning run as the Notre Dame baseball team opened its 2013 season with a 6-5 win over Florida Gulf Coast University Saturday in Sarasota, Fla. Pinch runner Kyle Richardson raced home to score the winning run on the hit. Richardson was running for right fielder James Nevant, who had walked to start the inning.
The Irish trailed 5-3 going into the bottom of the 9th inning, but tied the game 5-5 on a two-run home run by third baseman Eric Jagielo's first home run of the season. First baseman Trey Mancini homered as well to lead off the 4th.
Nick McCarty was exceptional in his collegiate debut. The Westfield, Ind native tossed 5.0 shutout innings of relief to earn the decision. McCarty allowed just four hits with four strikeouts and no walks in his first ever trip to the mound in an Irish uniform.
DeSico's game-winner was his lone hit in five at-bats in the game. Designated hitter Ryan Bull and freshman shortstop Lane Richards had three hits in Notre Dame's 13-hit attack.
The Irish would go on to their first opening day double header sweep since 1992 by taking Saturday's second game 13-3 over Ohio State. DeSico collected hits, including a home run, in his first four at-bats, giving him five consecutive hits overall, and finished with two RBIs.
Jagielo homered in the second game as well to give him two blasts on the day that totaled an estimated 800-plus feet. The first baseman drove-in five against the Buckeyes.
Starting pitcher Adam Norton (1-0) scattered 10 hits over 7.0 innings for his first win of the season. Notre Dame totaled 29 hits on day one of the season with 16 hits against OSU.
The Irish (2-0) close their opening weekend at 11 a.m. ET Sunday morning when they face Mercer at the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex.
