CARY, N.C. – The Irish of the University of Notre Dame, who were nationally ranked last week and are still receiving votes in both current NCAA Division II softball top-25 polls, scored runs in each of the first four innings to earn a 9-0 victory over host North Carolina Central University at the Thomas Brooks Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Notre Dame belted 13 hits on its way to the run-rule victory in five innings. The Irish improved to 14-9 overall in handing NCCU its first loss in six games. The Lady Eagles, who are now 1-1 against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) programs this season, remained over .500 at 7-6.

NCCU was held scoreless for the first time this season and only manufactured two hits on the day.

Junior starter Allie Rhodes (6-3) tossed the first four innings and freshman Katie Beriont retired the Lady Eagles in order in the fifth for the Notre Dame's combined shutout.
NCCU threatened in the bottom of the third as senior Martha Batie and junior Markell Wylie led off with consecutive infield singles. Rhodes was able to retire the next three Lady Eagle batters to wiggle out of the jam.

The Irish scored four runs in the first and a pair of runs in both the second and third before tallying one last marker in the fourth. Sophomore All-American Karley Wester led ND's charge from the lead-off spot going 3 for 3 including a triple to start the game. Wester scored in both the first and second to set the tone in favor of Notre Dame.
Other offensive highlights for the visitors included a two-run homer by junior first baseman Micaela Arizmendi in the first and a solo blast by senior catcher Cassidy Whidden in the fourth.

Sophomore London Booker (5-3), who had picked up wins in her last four appearances, took the loss allowing eight runs (seven earned) over the first three innings. Sophomore Dominique Wilson pitched the final two innings and held the Irish to just one more run over that span.

NCCU will next visit Elon University on Friday for a single game beginning at 5:30 p.m.