Game Thread | No. 4 Notre Dame vs. No. 9 Florida State

No. 4 Notre Dame (33-13) vs. No. 9 Florida State (32-22) 

When: May 26

Time: 3:40 PM ET 

Where: Truist Field | Charlotte, N.C.

Watch: Regional Sports Networks/ACC Network Extra 

QUICK FACTS

(Entering the tournament)

- Notre Dame is 10th in the NCAA and first in the ACC in fielding percentage with a .981 mark this season. The Irish have committed 33 errors in 1,232 putout opportunities this season.

- The Irish swept #5 Florida State on the road from April 1-3 (2-0 (12), 5-4, 9-7). It was the first time the Irish have swept a Top-5 team on the road in program history.

- Notre Dame is 14th in the NCAA and second in the ACC with a 1.27 WHIP this season. They have surrendered 343 hits and 177 walks in 410.2 innings pitched.

- Heading into the conference tournament, Notre Dame ranks in the top-25 in scoring (25th), ERA (21st) and Fielding Percentage (10th). They are one of three teams nationally that rank in the top-25 in all three categories (Tennessee & Virginia Tech).

- The Irish are one of six teams nationally to be ranked in every D1Baseball poll this season. They are the only ACC team that has been ranked in every poll this year.

- This is the sixth time the Irish have qualified for the ACC Championship and they look to advance to the semifinals for the first time in program history.

PROBABLE STARTERS
 

WHAT TO WATCH 

- Thursday has turned into a huge game for the Fighting Irish as a spot in the semifinal is on the line despite Notre Dame having to play Virginia on Thursday. Notre Dame is the top seed so if all three teams in the pod have the same record, the highest seed advances. 

- Florida State run-ruled Virginia on Wednesday 13-3 and will start its ace in LHP Parker Messick, who is one of the best pitchers in the country. 

- It will mark the second time this season Messick and LHP John Michael Bertrand will face off and the first lived up to expectations as both pitchers dominated the mound in April. Messick went 8.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks and 11 strikeouts on 108 pitches while Bertrand threw 7.2 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk and 12 strikeouts on 114 pitches. The Irish won 2-0 on a two-run homer by Ryan Cole in the 12th inning. 

- John Michael Bertrand set a career-high with 12 strikeouts against #5 Florida State on April 1. It was the most strikeouts in a game for an Irish pitcher since Cameron Brown struck out 12 against Florida State on March 23, 2019.

- The Irish struck out 18 batters in the 2-0 win over #5 Florida State on April 1. It was the most strikeouts in a game for the Irish pitching staff since May 16, 2008, when they struck out 18 against South Florida.

- Offense has been up and down over the last few weeks for Notre Dame and the injuries to Jack Brannigan and Ryan Cole haven’t helped. Link Jarrett believes Brannigan will play, while Cole will be a game time decision as he deals with a hamstring issue. 

Notre Dame sigh of relief on Brannigan, more ACC Tourney notes

Notre Dame Lineup

Florida State Lineup 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish HOVR Sonic 4 Running Shoe