Game Thread | (G3) Notre Dame at No. 4 Wake Forest

Notre Dame (8-8, 1-4) at No. 4 Wake Forest (18-2, 4-1) 

When: March 19th

Time: 1:00 PM ET 

Where: David F. Couch Ballpark | Winston-Salem, N.C.

Watch: ACC Network Extra

QUICK FACTS

- Wake Forest leads the all-time series 18-14. 

- Notre Dame is 5-11 at Wake Forest. 

- The Irish swept Wake Forest last season and it included a 21-3 win in game two. 

- Notre Dame went 2-0 against Saint Joseph’s this week as the two teams met in Holly Springs, N.C.

PROBABLE STARTERS

WHAT TO WATCH 

- Notre Dame entered Saturday’s doubleheader with confidence and the Irish fought to the end, but fell 4-1. RHP Jackson Dennies and LHP Aidan Tyrell pitched well as they gave up just three runs through seven innings to one of the nation’s top offenses. 

The Irish offense was held in check by Rhett Lowder, the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year, as the righty punched out seven and gave up three hits and one run through seven innings. Freshman Estevan Moreno continues to show growth at the plate as he recorded an RBI single in the third. 

- In game two, Wake Forest blitzed the Irish from the start and didn’t look back. The Demon Deacons took at 7-0 lead after three and cruised to a 12-3 win. Notre Dame’s defense was charged for four errors, but it could have been a few more. The sound play of a year ago is simply not there in the field game to game and it’s cost the Irish. It also seemed as if some frustration crept into the team as Zach Prajzner committed errors on back-to-back plays. For context, Prajzner is one of the best fielding shortstops in the country as he committed 35 errors in 176 career games entering the weekend. 

- Offensively, Notre Dame couldn’t hit LHP Sean Sullivan, who entered the game with a 1.82 ERA and 39 strikeouts, which was second in the ACC. Sullivan struck out 11 batters in six innings and the Irish never threatened to make a move on the lead. Tony Lindwedel hit a bomb in the ninth as a pinch hitter, but that was about as bright as the game got from the plate for the Irish. 

- Sunday doesn’t get easier for Notre Dame as Wake Forest will roll out LHP Josh Hartle who entered the weekend as the ACC leader in strikeouts. Taking one game is important for this team as they look to grow under the new staff and it starts with scoring runs. 

- Freshman RHP Caden Spivey made his college debut against Georgia Tech last weekend and has pitched twice since. All three appearances have been impressive and Spivey was able to settle down the Irish in game two. Spivey entered with the bases loaded and no outs in the third and did damage control. He finished the day giving up two hits, one run (earned) and two strikeouts in three innings of work. 

Spivey has set himself up to earn more innings moving forward. 

OFFENSIVE STATS (Entering the series)

PITCHING STATS (Entering the series) 

Notre Dame Lineup

Wake Forest Lineup

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