Story Poster
Photo by Matt Freeman
Notre Dame Baseball

Game Thread | (G1) NC State at Notre Dame

May 4, 2023
7,994

NC State (30-14, 9-12) at Notre Dame (25-17, 13-11) 


When: May 4th

Time: 7:00 PM ET 

Where: Frank Eck Stadium | South Bend, Ind.

Watch: ACC Network 


QUICK FACTS

- NC State leads the all-time series 13-12. 

- The Irish are 8-4 at home against the Wolfpack. 

- Notre Dame has won the last three series against NC State. 

- The weekend series will be the final home ACC series for Notre Dame this season.

PROBABLE STARTERS

Thursday

SCHOOL NAME RECORD (APPEARANCES) ERA IP STRIKEOUTS
NC State RHP Logan Whitaker 3-3 4.60 58.2 56
Notre Dame LHP Aidan Tyrell 7-2 2.92 49.1 41

Friday

SCHOOL NAME RECORD (APPEARANCES) ERA IP STRIKEOUTS
NC State RHP Matt Willadsen 4-3 2.90 59.0 58
Notre Dame RHP Blake Hely 3-1 4.53 53.2 53

Saturday

SCHOOL NAME RECORD (APPEARANCES) ERA IP STRIKEOUTS
NC State TBA - - - -
Notre Dame TBA - - - -

OFFENSIVE STATS (Entering the series)

STAT NC State Notre Dame
Batting Avg. .304 .247
Runs 347 254
Hits 458 344
2B 102 60
3B 9 5
Home Runs 72 54
RBI 324 230
SLG% .528 .414
Walks 225 162
Hit by Pitch 45 72
Strikeouts 312 378
OB% .407 .353

PITCHING STATS (Entering the series) 

STAT NC State Notre Dame
ERA 4.16 4.55
Hits 354 334
Runs 212 211
ER 176 186
Walks 140 155
Strikeouts 413 350
Opponent Batting Avg. .244 .240

- The Irish have quietly improved over the last month and a half, but don’t think the nation isn’t starting to notice Notre Dame as Shawn Stiffler’s club inches closer to the postseason. In D1Baseball’s latest Field of 64 projections, Notre Dame would be a No. 2 seed in the Gainesville Regional. The season is far from over and it’s just a projection, but the fact Notre Dame is being mentioned on a 2-seed line speaks volumes to the efforts from the Irish. 

- As with most series this year, Notre Dame is going to need to continue to get on track at the plate. The Irish have used big innings to take commanding leads, but that’s dangerous to count on over the course of a season. Notre Dame finding ways to get a run or two here and there will not only help the offense, but give its short-handed pitching staff a little more room to work.

Jack Penney and Vinny Martinez have developed into a powerful 4-5 combo in the lineup Penney leads the Irish with 10 home runs and Martinez isn’t far behind with nine, including eight at Frank Eck. 

Where can Notre Dame improve its offensive attack? Right now, it’d be the leadoff spot as TJ Williams has done the dirty work the lineup has needed, but he’s also batting just .233. That’s not saying Stiffler needs to move him out of the leadoff spot, but Williams needs to start to raise his game as the Irish enter the stretch run. Williams gave Notre Dame a boost in the lineup at times a year ago and now is the time to find some confidence. It’s also worth noting Williams has been a star in centerfield as he has great range and has made several highlight snags this season. 

Freshman Estevan Moreno has come into his own over the last month as his at-bats have improved, but he’s still striking out at a high rate. On the year, Moreno has been struck out 53 times and at this point in the year, he’s not a freshman anymore. Moreno needs to continue to work the count and find his pitches. He’s growing, which has been fun to watch, but Moreno has all the tools to be a great hitter and his growth over the next month will be key to how far the Irish can go. 

- RHP Jackson Dennies isn’t listed as a starter for this weekend as of now as Stiffler expects to get him back on the mound after missing the last two series. Stiffler mentioned he would also be careful with Dennies, so if he returns this weekend, it could be from the pen. 

Dennies returning also gives Notre Dame a much-needed arm. Notre Dame is probably two arms away from being an extremely tough out with Jack Findlay done for the year. The good news is they have a couple guys with the talent in Matt Bedford and David Lally Jr., but both need confidence. Lally had been the midweek starter, but Tuesday’s game against Bowling Green was canceled due to weather. If Notre Dame can get Bedford and Lally going - and confident in them on the weekend - it would be a big development. 

- RHP Radek Birkholz might hold a record of 0-3, but he’s playing quality baseball right now. The sophomore has found his confidence and placement with his fastball. He’s stacked solid outings together at the right time. 

- LHP Aidan Tyrell has moved into a starting role following Findlay’s injury and has responded. Tyrell enters the weekend with a 7-2 record, 2.92 ERA and opponents are batting .194 against him. Freshman RHP Caden Spivey could be a star in the making as he holds a perfect 3-0 record, 2.13 ERA and opponents are hitting .191. 

Notre Dame Lineup

NAME POSITION BATTING AVERAGE
TJ Williams CF .233
Zack Prajzner SS .286
Carter Putz 1B .291
Jack Penney 3B .254
Vinny Martinez C .281
Brooks Coetzee RF .277
DM Jefferson DH .269
Brady Gumpf LF .250
Estevan Moreno 2B .200

NC State Lineup

NAME POSITION BATTING AVERAGE
Noah Soles RF .349
LuJames Groover III 3B .341
Will Marcy LF .312
Cannon Peebles  DH .337
Jacob Cozart C .341
Treor Candelaria CF .318
Eli Srrano III 1B .308
Payton Green 2B .272
Kalae Harrison SS .302

Under Armour Heather Grey Notre Dame Fighting Irish Cheer For Old T-Shirt

 

 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.