EAST LANSING— After dropping two of three on the road against Illinois, the Spartans look to begin a seven-game homestand strong, starting with a non-conference game against Notre Dame. 

Michigan State comes into the game 4-6 in its last 10 games, including four losses to Big Ten opponents. 

Notre Dame comes in at 3-5-1 in its last 10 matches, with all five defeats coming against ACC opposition. 

The most dangerous bat for the Fighting Irish is sophomore Addison Amaral. Across her 44 games played, she has maintained an average of .379, with seven home runs, 36 RBIs and 24 walks, more than doubling her total of 10 from last season. She earned Second Team All-ACC and Freshman All-ACC honors in her freshman year. 

The Green and White will look to lean on junior Kaelin Cash to get the first win in program history against Notre Dame. In her 100 at-bats on the season, her average sits at .370, with six home runs and 24 RBIs. The transfer from Saint Joseph’s was named A10 All-Conference First Team in 2023. Cash also had a career performance against rival Michigan earlier in the season on March 29. She blasted three balls over the wall, driving in all eight of MSU’s runs in the 9-8 defeat against the Wolverines. 

One of MSU’s top arms is freshman right hander Carsyn Cassady. In her 15 appearances during the season, she has struck out 27 batters, having the team’s lowest ERA at 4.32. In her last outing against Illinois on April 12, she pitched 6 2/3 innings in the 7-5 victory for MSU. 

One of Notre Dame’s leading arms is lefty freshman Brianne Weiss. She also has her team’s lowest ERA at 4.03 in her 21 appearances in the season. Her standout performance came on March 14 against NC State when she pitched a complete-game shutout, only allowing three hits while striking out six. 

In the 13-year history of the series, MSU has never beaten Notre Dame, dropping all seven games against the Fighting Irish. 

First pitch at Secchia Stadium is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m.