Four Reasons why Notre Dame Baseball advances to the Super Regionals
The Irish are back on the diamond today, as the second seed in the Stateboro Regional of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. After last years amazing run to the Super Regionals, the expectations rose in Link Jarrett’s first full season as the Notre Dame head coach. Another trip to the ‘Sweet 16’ won’t come easy, but here are four reasons why they will.
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Pitching
Notre Dame pitcher Aidan Tyrell throws a fast ball against Mississippi State during the first inning of an NCAA college baseball super regional game, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Irish enter the Regional with one of the best pitching staffs in the country. It’s not just ace [autotag]John Michael Bertrand[/autotag] (who is expected to toe the rubber today) carrying the team, the collective staff ranks 12th nationally with a 3.91 earned run average and 11th nationally with a 1.27 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched).
Defense
Notre Dame’s Zack Prajzner during an NCAA baseball game against Valparaiso on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
The old adage that pitching and defense wins is Jarrett’s team to a T. Defensively, the Irish are among the best in the country, the .980 fielding percentage is 12th in the country. The leather has been flashed this spring and should continue this weekend.
Record away from home
Notre Dame’s David LaManna (3) rounds third base and celebrates his three-run home run against Mississippi State during the fourth inning of an NCAA college baseball super regional game, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
When you are 21-games over .500, your team has won games in plenty of places. The Irish just happen to be fantastic away from Frank Eck Stadium, especially at neutral fields. They enter the series with an 8-3 record when home field doesn’t matter. That’s extremely impressive.
Experience
Notre Dame’s Brooks Coetzee (42) reaches back to tag first base after the ball gets away from Mississippi State’s first baseman during an NCAA college baseball super regional game, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Last years run was huge for the Irish, not just for the program in general but for the returning players. Returning major contributors like [autotag]Spencer Myers[/autotag], [autotag]Ryan Cole[/autotag], [autotag]David LaManna[/autotag], [autotag]Jack Brannigan[/autotag], [autotag]Zack Prajzner[/autotag], [autotag]Aidan Tyrell[/autotag], Bertrand, [autotag]Alex Rao[/autotag], [autotag]Brooks Coetzee III[/autotag] and others make a difference. The can guide the team through difficult times. A major goal has already been checked off, making it to the NCAA’s and now the Irish’s next goal is making the Super Regionals.
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