Box Score UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Notre Dame suffered its worst defeat in two years on Tuesday, as John Carroll plated 10 runs in one inning en route to a 16-1 victory over the Falcons at Schweickert Field.  (Box)

The Blue Streaks (7-8) evened the series between the two east-side neighbors with a margin of victory higher than any Falcon foe since April 3, 2010 (33-7 loss to Walsh).  After NDC (9-14-1) and JCU tangled to a 3-1 score in what looked like a pitcher's duel through six innings, John Carroll exploded for 13 runs over the seventh and eighth frames.  The Blue Streaks scored 10 runs in an eighth inning that saw them send 14 men to the plate.

With their loss in University Heights, Notre Dame has now lost three games in a row.  The Falcons beat JCU, 5-4, in Lorain, Ohio, last week (March 21).

Freshman right-hander Jay Sperry started for Notre Dame.  Sperry exited in the fourth, having walked four and allowed four runs.  An NDC bullpen comprised of Dan Poskocil, Bryan Pyper, Taylor Neville and Chris Willoughby went the rest of the way, allowing 13 runs (five earned) on seven hits and four walks.  Only Poskocil managed to escape without allowing a run; he went 2-2/3 innings of perfect baseball.

The bottom third of the John Carroll order went a combined 5-for-12 in a game that saw eight different players collect hits for the home nine.  No. 8-hitter Ryan Konsler went 2-for-5, with a double and three RBIs and cleanup hitter Tom Hickey hit a three-run home run to pace a balanced JCU offense.

Three NDC errors proved costly on a final stat sheet that included eight unearned runs.

Notre Dame's offense was hamstrung by the efforts of starter Andrew Doring and four JCU relievers who combined to allow just four hits in the game.  The Falcons have batted just .202/.331/.219 over their last four games, and the team has been held to two runs or less seven times in the month of March.

In Tuesday's contest, NDC went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, while JCU went 8-for-16 in such situations.

“This one got ugly late,” said Interim Head Coach Len Barker.  “Things got sloppy, and this is one we want to quickly put behind us.”

Weather-permitting, Notre Dame will have a shot at redemption in less than 24 hours -- the Falcons are slated to play a doubleheader at Lake Erie on Wednesday afternoon (2 p.m. start time).