2021 Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team

The 2021 Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 2021 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Irish played their home games at Frank Eck Stadium as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They were led by head coach Link Jarrett, in his 2nd season at Notre Dame.

Previous season

The 2020 Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team notched a 11–2 (3–0) regular season record. The season prematurely ended on March 12, 2020, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 season During the 2021 regular season, Notre Dame finished with a record of 30–11 (25–10 in conference play) and won the ACC Atlantic Division. Notre Dame was selected to host regionals for the first time since 2004. Michigan, UConn, and Central Michigan were all placed in the South Bend regional with Notre Dame. The Irish won the regional with a final record of 3–0. On June 5, the Irish beat UConn in their second-round regional game by a score of 26–3. It was the record for the most runs scored during a playoff game in program history. The Irish advanced to the Starkville Super Regional, where they lost to Mississippi State.

Niko Kavadas set a program single-season home run record with 21, breaking Frank Jacobs' 1991 total.

Personnel

Roster 2021 Notre Dame Fighting Irish roster Pitchers 32 – Matt Bedford – Freshman 28 – John Michael Bertrand – Graduate Student 26 – Cameron Brown – Graduate Student 55 – Dominic Cancellieri – Sophomore 41 – Jackson Dennies – Freshman 36 – James Hulbert – Graduate Student 20 – Tanner Kohlhepp – Sophomore 25 – Ryan Lynch – Freshman 30 – Mitch Megias – Junior 43 – Will Mercer – Junior 27 – Gerry Peacock – Sophomore 45 – Alex Rao – Junior 22 – Christian Scafidi – Graduate Student 23 – Jack Sheehan – Graduate Student 37 – Joe Sheridan – Graduate Student 29 – Liam Simon – Sophomore 17 – Aidan Tyrell – Junior Catchers 24 – Alex Brait – Graduate Student 18 – Nick Juaire – Redshirt Freshman 3 – David LaManna – Senior 47 – Tony Lindwedel – Freshman 8 – Danny Neri – Freshman

Infielders 9 – Jack Brannigan – Sophomore 13 – Drew Byers – Freshman 38 – Kyle Hess – Sophomore 12 – Niko Kavadas – Senior 19 – Casey Kmet – Sophomore 16 – Jared Miller – Senior 15 – Brock Murtha – Freshman 14 – Zack Prajzner – Junior 4 – Carter Putz – Junior Outfielders 42 – Brooks Coetzee – Junior 1 – Ryan Cole – Senior 50 – Sammy Cooper – Freshman 21 – Brady Gumpf – Freshman 31 – Daniel Jung – Graduate Student 2 – Spencer Myers – Senior 52 – Tony Watson – Freshman 6 – TJ Williams – Freshman 7 – Jack Zyska – Junior 

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atNotre Dame Alma mater Link Jarrett Head coach 2 Florida State University (1994) Rich Wallace Assistant Coach 2 University of Central Florida (2004) Chuck Ristano Assistant Coach 11 Sacred Heart University (2004) Scott Wingo Volunteer Assistant Coach 2 University of South Carolina (2011)

Game log

! style="" | Regular season |- valign="top"

|- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | February 27 || at Wake Forest || || David F. Couch Ballpark • Winston-Salem, NC || 8–10 || Cole McNamee (1–0) || (0–1) || Camden Minacci (2) || 233 || 0–1 || 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | February 27 || at Wake Forest || || David F. Couch Ballpark • Winston-Salem, NC || 5–4 || Liam Simon (1–0) || Crawford Wade (0–1) || Aidan Tyrell (1) || 278 || 1–1 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | February 28 || at Wake Forest || || David F. Couch Ballpark • Winston-Salem, NC || 10–0 || (1–0) || Shane Smith (0–1) || Alex Rao (1) || 401 || 2–1 || 2–1

|- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | March 5 || at Clemson || || Doug Kingsmore Stadium • Clemson, SC || 7–13 || Davis Sharpe (2–0) || (0–1) || || 1,280 || 2–2 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 6 || at Clemson || || Doug Kingsmore Stadium • Clemson, SC || 3–1 || John Michael Bertrand (1–0) || Ty Olenchuk (1–1) || Will Mercer (1) || 1,280 || 3–2 || 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 7 || at Clemson || || Doug Kingsmore Stadium • Clemson, SC || 3–2 || Liam Simon (2–0) || Mack Anglin (0–1) || (1) || 1,280 || 4–2 || 4–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 12 || at Virginia || || Davenport Field • Charlottesville, VA || 10–5 || Liam Simon (3–0) || Andrew Abbott (1–3) || Joe Sheridan (1) || 221 || 5–2 || 5–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 13 || at Virginia || || Davenport Field • Charlottesville, VA || 12–4 || John Michael Bertrand (2–0) || Paul Kosanovich (0–1) || || 354 || 6–2 || 6–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 14 || at Virginia || || Davenport Field • Charlottesville, VA || 8–3 || Aidan Tyrell (1–0) || Mike Vasil (3–1) || Tanner Kohlhepp (1) || 350 || 7–2 || 7–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 19 || Duke || No. 23 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 6–4 (13) || (1–1) || Matt Dockman (0–1) || || 210 || 8–2 || 8–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 20 || Duke || No. 23 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 6–2 || John Michael Bertrand (3–0) || Henry Williams (2–1) || || 275 || 9–2 || 9–2 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | March 21 || Duke || No. 23 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 0–2 || Jack Carey (1–0) || Aidan Tyrell (1–1) || Marcus Johnson (2) || 300 || 9–3 || 9–3 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 23 || || No. 21 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 6–3 || Will Mercer (1–0) || Easton Rhodehouse (1–1) || Liam Simon (1) || 75 || 10–3 || |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | March 26 || No. 7 Louisville || No. 21 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 4–7 || Adam Elliott (3–1) || Joe Sheridan (0–1) || Kaleb Corbett (4) || 301 || 10–4 || 9–4 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | March 27 || No. 7 Louisville || No. 21 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 5–3 || Jack Brannigan (1–0) || Tate Kuehner (1–3) || || 315 || 11–4 || 10–4

|- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 3 || at Pittsburgh || No. 17 || Charles L. Cost Field • Pittsburgh, PA || 4–1 || (2–1) || Mitch Myers (2–4) || Joe Sheridan (2) || 55 || 12–4 || 11–4 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | April 4 || at Pittsburgh || No. 17 || Charles L. Cost Field • Pittsburgh, PA || 2–3 || Jordan McCrum (2–1) || Liam Simon (3–1) || || 210 || 12–5 || 11–5 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 5 || at Pittsburgh || No. 19 || Charles L. Cost Field • Pittsburgh, PA || 11–5 || Tanner Kohlhepp (3–1) || Stephen Hansen (1–1) || || 210 || 13–5 || 12–5 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 9 || No. 22 Georgia Tech || No. 19 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 10–9 || Joe Sheridan (1–1) || Zach Maxwell (0–1) || || 309 || 14–5 || 13–5 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 10 || No. 22 Georgia Tech || No. 19 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 7–0 || Aidan Tyrell (2–1) || Andy Archer (4–3) || Alex Rao (2) || 152 || 15–5 || 14–5 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | April 11 || No. 22 Georgia Tech || No. 19 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 2–4 || Josiah Siegel (1–0) || Joe Sheridan (1–2) || Luke Bartnicki (4) || 125 || 15–6 || 14–6 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 13 || || No. 16 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 8–4 || Alex Rao (1–0) || J.T. Rogoszewski (1–2) || || 116 || 16–6 || |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 16 || NC State || No. 16 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 3–2 || Tanner Kohlhepp (4–1) || Reid Johnston (3–2) || || 279 || 17–6 || 15–6 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | April 17 || NC State || No. 16 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 2–5 || Sam Highfill (3–2) || (3–1) || Evan Justice (2) || 237 || 17–7 || 15–7 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 18 || NC State || No. 16 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 11–2 || Tanner Kohlhepp (5–1) || Matt Willadsen (3–1) || (3) || 188 || 18–7 || 16–7 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | April 23 || at Boston College || No. 14 || Pellagrini Diamond • Chestnut Hill, MA || 0–10 || Emmett Sheehan (4–3) || Will Mercer (1–1) || || 150 || 18–8 || 16–8 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 24 || at Boston College || No. 14 || Pellagrini Diamond • Chestnut Hill, MA || 5–2 || John Michael Bertrand (4–1) || Mason Pelio (3–5) || Tanner Kohlhepp (2) || 150 || 19–8 || 17–8 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 24 || at Boston College || No. 14 || Pellagrini Diamond • Chestnut Hill, MA || 13–9 || Liam Simon (4–1) || Charlie Coon (1–2) || || 150 || 20–8 || 18–8 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 27 || Valparaiso || No. 14 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 8–7 || Liam Simon (5–1) || Nathan Chasey (0–2) || || 97 || 21–8 || |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | April 30 || North Carolina || No. 14 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 4–0 || Tanner Kohlhepp (6–1) || Austin Love (5–4) || || 175 || 22–8 || 19–8

|- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 1 || North Carolina || No. 14 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 13–12 || John Michael Bertrand (5–1) || Shawn Rapp (1–1) || Aidan Tyrell (2) || 274 || 23–8 || 20–8 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 2 || North Carolina || No. 14 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 19–5 || (7–1) || Gage Gillian (1–1) || || 275 || 24–8 || 21–8 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | May 7 || Florida State || No. 10 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 2–5 || Parker Messick (6–2) || Will Mercer (1–2) || Jack Anderson (3) || 358 || 24–9 || 21–9 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 8 || Florida State || No. 10 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 5–3 || John Michael Bertrand (6–1) || Bryce Hubbart (5–4) || Jack Brannigan (2) || 302 || 25–9 || 22–9 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | May 8 || Florida State || No. 10 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 1–7 || Conor Grady (5–2) || Alex Rao (1–1) || || 302 || 25–10 || 22–10 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 11 || at Valparaiso || No. 15 || Emory G. Bauer Field • Valparaiso, IN || 7–4 || Will Mercer (2–2) || (3–3) || || 70 || 26–10 || |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 20 || at Virginia Tech || No. 13 || English Field • Blacksburg, VA || 8–2 || John Michael Bertrand (7–1) || Peyton Alford (2–5) || || 448 || 27–10 || 23–10 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 21 || at Virginia Tech || No. 13 || English Field • Blacksburg, VA || 4–0 || Aidan Tyrell (3–1) || Anthony Simonelli (5–2) || (3) || 664 || 28–10 || 24–10 |- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 22 || at Virginia Tech || No. 13 || English Field • Blacksburg, VA || 7–1 || Alex Rao (2–1) || Ryan Okuda (2–3) || Will Mercer (2) || 619 || 29–10 || 25–10

! style="" | Postseason

|- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | May 26 || vs. Virginia Tech || No. 7 || Truist Field • Charlotte, NC || 8–0 || Will Mercer (3–2) || || || 3,020 || 30–10 || 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor=#ffbbbb | May 28 || vs. Virginia || No. 7 || Truist Field • Charlotte, NC || 1–14 || Andrew Abbott (8–5) || John Michael Bertrand (7–2) || || || 30–11 || 1–1

|- align="center" bgcolor=#bbffbb | June 4 || vs. No. 26 Central Michigan || No. 7 || Frank Eck Stadium • Notre Dame, IN || 10–0 || John Michael Bertrand (8–2) || Andrew Taylor (11–4) || || 1,825 || 31–11 || 1–0

|All rankings from Collegiate Baseball.

South Bend Regional South Bend Regional Teams(1) Notre Dame Fighting Irish(2) UConn Huskies(3) Michigan Wolverines(4) Central Michigan Chippewas

Starkville Super Regional

Starkville Super Regional Game 1(10) Notre Dame Fighting Irishvs.(7) Mississippi State Bulldogs

Starkville Super Regional Game 2(7) Mississippi State Bulldogsvs.(10) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

References