Joey Spence Leaves Notre Dame Baseball Program

Notre Dame baseball got off to a good start last weekend by taking the series at North Florida. 

Shawn Stiffler and the Irish will head to Deland (Fla.) this weekend for games with Iowa, UMBC and Stetson, but they’ll be without catcher Joey Spence. 

The senior from West Bend (Wis.) decided to leave the program earlier this week. Spence did not play in any of the three games at North Florida to start the year after playing in 37 games in 2024. 

Spence, who plays DH and catcher, batted .277 with five home runs, 10 RBI and five doubles last season. 

Stiffler went with two sophomore catchers last weekend as Carson Tinney started two games and Davis Johnson was the starter for game three before Tinney replaced him. Tinney finished the weekend with four hits, one home run, five RBI and a perfect fielding percentage. 

It’s not a surprise Stiffler rolled with the young guys as he hinted at it before the North Florida series. 

“Carson was a guy coming on the scene last year when injuries sidetracked him,” explained Stiffler.
”He’s a guy who has the chance to be a premier catcher in this league if he stays healthy. Davis Johnson has been one of the guys I’m most impressed with from freshman to sophomore year. He probably only has six at-bats in his career so far, but he had a good summer and looks like he’s ready to contribute as the No. 2 catcher.” 

Sophomore Troy Reader is also a name to watch at catcher as he’ll be promoted with Spence’s departure. 

Spence will finish his Notre Dame career batting .276 with 29 hits, 17 runs, eight doubles, one triple, six home runs and 10 RBI. 

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