Eight runs in the first three innings combined with a strong bullpen effort helped Notre Dame halt its five-game losing streak as the Irish defeated Cincinnati, 10-9. Notre Dame (18-15, 5-5 BIG EAST), who led by as many as seven runs, held on to even their conference record while the Bearcats (11-22, 1-9 BIG EAST) dropped their sixth straight.

RHP Sean Fitzgerald (3-3) earned the win with 2.1 innings in relief of Irish senior starter Will Hudgins. He allowed two runs and struck out four. Meanwhile, Bearcats starter Anthony Strenge (1-2) took the loss after giving up seven runs in 2.0 innings. RHP Dan Slania earned his seventh save, pitching a scoreless ninth.

Notre Dame and Cincinnati return to the diamond at 2:05 p.m. ET Saturday at Frank Eck Stadium.