Game Thread | College World Series: (5) Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame

MCWS: (5) Texas A&M (43-19) vs. Notre Dame (41-16)

When: June 21

Time: 2:00 PM ET 

Where: Charles Schwab Field | Omaha, Neb.

Watch: ESPN

QUICK FACTS

(Entering the College World Series)

- Notre Dame is 52-21 (.712) away from Frank Eck Stadium under head coach Link Jarrett. In 2022, the Irish are 12-9 in true road games and 11-3 in neutral site games.

- The Irish are 85-30 (.739) since the start of the 2020 season. That winning percentage ranks second in the NCAA over the past three seasons, trailing only Tennessee.

- Notre Dame is 13th in the NCAA and first in the ACC in fielding percentage with a .980 mark this season. The Irish have committed 41 errors in 1,475 putout opportunities this season.

- The Irish rank 12th nationally and are first in the ACC in team ERA with 3.95. They have given up 216 earned runs in 491.2 innings this season.

- The Irish are sixth in the NCAA and first in the ACC with 7.67 hits allowed per nine innings. They have given up 419 hits in 491.2 innings pitched this season.

- Notre Dame allowed three runs or less for the 28th time this season in the 7-3 win over No. 1 Tennessee on June 12. They are 28-0 this season and 54-2 overall under Jarrett in games they allow three runs or less.

- The Irish set a program record for most home runs in a single season with 75 heading into the College World Series. The previous record of 73 was broken in the final game of the Knoxville Super Regional on June 12.

- Notre Dame is the only school in the country to have a team in the College World Series, both March Madness tournaments and a New Year’s Six bowl game.

- Texas A&M fell 13-8 to Oklahoma before beating Texas 10-2 on Sunday. Notre Dame beat Texas 7-3 3 on Friday and lost to Oklahoma 6-2 in game two. The winner will advance to play Oklahoma.

- The all-time series between Texas A&M and Notre Dame is knotted at 2-2. Notre Dame won the last matchup 5-4 in 2006 at the UTSA Baseball Classic.  

PROBABLE STARTERS
 

WHAT TO WATCH 

- Sunday was the Aggies first win in the College World Series since 1993 and it’s being called the biggest win in program history by those who cover the program. Texas A&M entered the MCWS as one of the hottest teams in the country before losing to Oklahoma, a program that is rolling. 

“The win over Texas is likely the biggest in program history all things considered. Thus, you’d have to say that Trevor Werner’s 11-pitch plate appearance that resulted in the go-ahead single is probably the biggest at-bat in program history.” - Ryan Brauninger, TexAgs

- Texas A&M’s offense has been solid in Omaha as the Aggies are averaging nine runs a game. Notre Dame’s offense will need to score on Tuesday to advance, which is something they struggled at times to do this season. 

Link Jarrett made it a point that the Irish can’t strike out 14 times as the fewer balls in play equals fewer chances for errors to happen. The Aggies have had fielding issues, including in Omaha with four errors in the two games. 

- The top of the Irish order has struggled outside of Carter Putz. Notre Dame desperately needs Ryan Cole and Jack Zyska to get going as neither has recorded a hit in Omaha in two games. If one can get going, it would be a huge boost to a lineup that needs some positive momentum following Sunday’s game. 

- When it comes to pitching, Notre Dame is in a good shape and all hands will be on deck on Tuesday. Jarrett didn’t burn his big bullpen arms on Sunday, which could LHP Jack Findlay could potentially start. Both teams will likely end up utilizing the bullpen quite a bit, which should give Notre Dame an advantage. 

- The Aggies aren’t a big home run team, which is a change of pace for Notre Dame, but it’s a lineup that can give problems. Dylan Rock enters the game with 18 home runs and 62 RBI while Ryan Targac has hit 15 homers and 57 RBI. Targac scored four runs himself on Sunday in the 10-2 win over Texas. 

Notre Dame Lineup

Texas A&M Lineup

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 21oz. Twist Top Stainless Bottle