Tag: Notre Dame baseball

Notre Dame’s Five First Round MLB Draft Picks

Notre Dame isn’t known to be a baseball powerhouse but has had it’s share of big-time prospects. Here are their all-time first round picks.

As you’re all well aware, no sports of late leaves us craving anything that has to do with sports. That meant some people spent Wednesday night watching the MLB Draft, something some probably never would have considered doing previously.

No Notre Dame players were selected, not that any were expected to be, but Notre Dame has had a handful of baseball players have their names called in the first round of the MLB Draft before.

Before I tell you who, can you guess any of the five?

First – the third catcher ever drafted…

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Irish Baseball Star Myers Runs Up Top OF List

Notre Dame outfielder Spencer Myers recognized as one of the best in the country at his position.

Early this baseball season, Notre Dame centerfielder Spences Myers was running all over the basepaths against the Irish opponents. Myers was leading the NCAA in total steals with 15, had an NCAA high of 6 in a game, and led the nation in hits per game as well. Pretty impressive performance for the junior even in a shortened “season.”

Myers accomplishments did not go unnoticed as he was recognized as one of the best collegiate outfielders in the country by D1 Baseball. Ranked as the 27th best outfielder in the nation, is some high praise for the Florida native.

It was unfortunate that the season came to an abrupt end, Myers was well on his way to topping last years steals total of 28, but more importantly the Irish under first year coach Link Jarrett were making waves in the ACC. The 11-2 early season record indicated the coaching change was working well for the Irish, but who knows how the season would have turned out.

Myers was set to play in the Cape Cod League with the Wareham Gatemen, if you follow college baseball you know this is the most prestigious summer wood bat league a collegian can play in, but now that clearly won’t happen. Who knows how the MLB will handle their draft process this year, Myers very well could have been drafted if his early season progression continued, as we all sit and wait for answers. The answer we do know is that Myers was a demon on the basepaths and impressed people across the nation.

Notre Dame Baseball’s Jarrett Voted Underrated By Peers

Baseball America polled a group of 90 Division I coaches questions and first-year Irish head coach Link Jarrett voted as underrated.

Baseball America has been asking a group of 90 Division I head coaches a series of questions and today, one of them involved Irish Baseball Coach Link Jarrett. In his first season as leader of the program, an impressive 11-2 start to the abrupted season, which included winning their last 7 games, impressed everyone nationally.

The the coaches  were asked who they thought is the most underrated coach in the nation. Although Jarrett wasn’t the top pick, that honor went to Rutgers’ Steve Owens, who didn’t quite have the same start at his new location as Jarrett did, Baseball America found that other coaches are high on Jarrett’s ability.

Prior to matriculating to South Bend, Jarrett was the head coach at UNC-Greensboro, compiling an 215-164 (.567) record, winning at least 34 games the final four years and no lower than a 3rd place conference finish. The early season success led to the Irish being ranked #24 when the season was canceled, leading fans to dream about the future of the program. It seems like the Irish have found a coach with a ton of potential in Jarrett.

Notre Dame Baseball Adds Graduate Transfer LHP Bertrand

Link Jarrett added Furman LHP John Michael Bertrand to the team as a graduate transfer.

The NCAA has announced that spring sport athletes will not be penalized by the cancelation of their seasons and gives those players an opportunity to finish out their athletic careers. Notre Dame Baseball head coach Link Jarrett’s team was off to a fantastic start, which clearly caught the eye of Furman transfer John Michael Bertrand.

Bertrand will join his brother, JD who is a linebacker on the football team, in South Bend next year, as the redshirt Junior will be added to the team as a graduate transfer. The two-time Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll starter was considered the teams #1 during his redshirt sophomore year, 13 of his 15 appearances were starts resulting in a 4.90 ERA in 82.2 innings.

Although Bertrand will most likely not be given the ball as the top starter for Jarrett’s squad, it should be Tommy Sheehan, the addition of another solid arm is always a positive. The 6’3” and 205-pound left-handed starter will have two seasons remaining to pitch for the Irish.

The 2019-20 NCAA baseball season was cut short, but Link Jarrett is very high on his team after a 11-2 start. The addition of Bertrand will add more excitement to the beginning of the Jarrett era.

Irish in MLB: Trey Mancini Undergoes Successful Surgery

A surprise last week in MLB’s spring training came from Baltimore Orioles camp where veteran Trey Mancini left camp, taking an unexpected leave.  Today we found out why exactly the former Notre Dame baseball player had to step away from the game.

A surprise last week in MLB’s spring training came from Baltimore Orioles camp where veteran Trey Mancini left camp, taking an unexpected leave.  Today we found out why exactly the former Notre Dame baseball player had to step away from the game.

After discovering a malignant tumor during a colonoscopy last week, Mancini had successful surgery to remove the tumor today.

In a statement released by the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, Mancini was thankful for the support from the team, fans, and supporters.

“The outpouring of love and support I have received has made an extremely tough week so much better,” Mancini said. “I have the best family, friends, fans and teammates imaginable. I am also eternally thankful for the Orioles front office, our athletic trainers and the entire medical staff for everything they have done to help me during this time. Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words, which have furthered my excitement to get back to playing the game I love.”

There is no timetable set for Mancini to return to the club and with MLB suspending spring training operations as of Thursday afternoon, it’s hard to have any idea when play may resume.  The good news is Mancini was aware something was amiss and all was handled well by all parties.

Mancini played at Notre Dame from 2011-2013, hitting .297 and 28 home runs in that time.  The Orioles selected him in the eighth round of the 2013 MLB Draft.  Mancini led the Orioles in doubles, home runs, RBI, OBP, slugging percentage and total bases.

Seven-Eleven, Notre Dame Baseball Wins 7th in a Row, 11th Overall

Notre Dame Baseball goes on the road and defeats Radford 9-8 to keep win streak alive.

It didn’t come easy, but the Notre Dame Baseball team showed plenty of resilience on Wednesday night, battling back to get a 9-8 win over Radford in Virginia. The Highlanders jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, something the Irish aren’t accustomed to, making Link Jarrett’s team fight back from multiple deficits.

Starter Dominic Cancellieri gave up those three runs in two innings and the Irish got on the board in the 3rd when Catcher David LaManna drove in DH Carter Putz on a fielder’s choice. The offense got the game back to even at 3 in the top of the 4th after leftfielder Eric Gilgenbach tripled home SS Zach Prajzner and then LaManna singled home Gilgenbach.

Radford took back the lead in the bottom of the 4th off reliever Tommy Vail, but the Irish bat’s woke up and took the lead right back in the top of the 5th. First baseman Niko Kavadas blasted a 2-Run Homer to get the lead back, infielder Jared Miller stole 3rd and scored on an errand throw, 3B Jack Brannigan tripled home Gilgenbach, then CF Spencer Myers finished the scoring with a single bringing home Gilgenbach.

Although the Irish would give up three runs in the bottom of the 9th, they would escape Radford with a 9-8 win, Joe Boyle getting the save, their 7th in a row. The Irish win total now sits at 11, which took them until the end of March to attain last year, a stark contrast with Jarrett now at the helm.

The Irish have one more road series before their home opener, they travel to #2 Louisville this weekend for a 3-game set. It still remains to be seen what the NCAA will rule in regards to athletics with the COVID-19 epidemic.

Notre Dame Baseball Ranked in Top 25 Heading into Game Today

Winners of 10 of their first 12 games, Notre Dame Baseball has been ranked for the first time since 2015.

After a disappointing 2019 season for Notre Dame Baseball, Mik Aoki was let go after his third straight losing season. In came new head coach Link Jarrett who has revitalized the program, leading them to a 10-2 record, six straight wins and being ranked inside the Top 25 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. It is the first time the Irish have been ranked since the 2015 season, the last year they made the NCAA tournament.

The offense has been the biggest factor in the Irish’s resurgence in the ACC, led by 1B Niko Kavadas and CF Spencer Myers. Kavadas is second in the conference in homers while Myers is sixth in batting average and first in stolen bases. Myers leads the country in steals with 15, two ahead of his closest competition.

As a team the Irish rank 27th in slugging nationally which has helped them score 8.9 runs a game, 10th in the country heading into tonight’s first midweek game against Radford. The pitching as a well has been solid, allowing a team ERA of 3.58, but clearly the offense has stood out in Jarrett first year.

The Irish take to the field this afternoon, in Radford, Virginia, at 4pm EST as they look to extend their winning streak to 7 games. Since the Irish have yet to play a midweek game, it is unknown how they will handle their pitching staff, but if the offense continues to smack the ball all around the field, it really won’t matter much.

Notre Dame Baseball’s Winning Streak Hits 6 Games, Sweep UNC on the Road

Notre Dame Baseball defeats North Carolina 14-8 on the road to earn second sweep in a row.

The Irish have yet to play a home game, but that hasn’t mattered to Link Jarrett’s team, as they won their 6th game in a row defeating North Carolina 14-8 in Chapel Hill. In their three-game series against the Tar Heels, the Irish offense scored a total of 33 runs, with the offense getting going early in each of the games.

Notre Dame started the scoring in the top of the second, plating five runs to give starter Will Mercer the early lead again. Catcher David LaManna singled home two runs, which started the offensive explosion.

An unearned run off 3B Jack Brannigan’s grounder added another run putting LaManna in scoring position. It was CF Spencer Myers turn next, his second at-bat of the inning, also a single to drive in another run as the lead stretched to four runs. A sacrifice-fly from DH Carter Putz capped the scoring with the Irish leading 5-0 after the top of the 2nd.

Carolina scored one back in the bottom of the second, but the Irish offense put up another crooked number. Shortstop Zack Prajzner hit a solo homer and Branningan singled home another run to stretch the lead to 7-1.

The Tar Heels then fought back to tie the game after 4, scoring a run in the third then getting the first two on in the bottom of the 4th to chase Mercer. Reliever Andrew Belcik couldn’t stop the bleeding as he failed to record while allowing two runs and leaving with the bases loaded. Liam Simon came into the jam and walked in a run. A fielder choice plated another run then a Sac-Fly evened the game.

The tie wouldn’t last long as Notre Dame’s bats came alive for three runs, getting the lead back 10-7 after five and a half. Putz blasted a two-run bomb, his first of the year, as part of the three-run rally.

Carolina kept the game close, scoring a run in the bottom of the 6th before Brannigan had the play of the game. Tar Heel reliever Max Alba came in with the bases load and his first pitch the Irish executed a triple steal, with Brannigan taking home on the play.

Brannigan would then add a 2 RBI single in the 8th to cap an impressive day, going 3 for 4 with five RBI, two runs scored and the steal of home. An insurance Sac-Fly from Miller ended the scoring and propelled the Irish to a 14-8 win, sealing their second consecutive sweep.

The win brings the Irish’s record to 10-2 and a clean 3-0 in the ACC. Their first in-conference sweep since 2014 has gotten Jarrett’s team off to a rousing start. They winning streak is on the line next on Wednesday, as they Irish travel once again to face Radford in Virginia. One more road series before the home opener, but if the Irish continue playing the way they have been, maybe they don’t want to come home just yet.

Five Alive, Notre Dame Baseball Win Streak Hits 5 Games, Go For Sweep of UNC Tomorrow

Notre Dame Baseball wins its fifth straight game, go for series sweep of UNC tomorrow.

The Irish offense struck early again, this time a 2-run Homer from LF Jack Zyska, to give starter Alex Rao a lead over host North Carolina before throwing a pitch.

Rao worked three plus innings, getting a great defensive play by RF Brooks Coetzee that ended a two-on situation in the bottom of the third.

Rao started the fourth but gave up a leadoff double and was pulled by first-year Manager Link Jarrett. Reliever Joe Boyle entered the game and allowed the inherited runner to score, evening up the game at 4 after four. Shortstop Zack Prajzner made a phenomenal play to start an inning ending double-play.

The offense awoke in the top of the 6th, as David LaManna’s pinch hit single drove in two runs giving the Irish a 4-2 lead.

Four more runs in the top of the 7th broke the game open for Notre Dame, Coatzee’s three-run bomb after a Prajzner RBI double accounted for the damage.

The Tar Heels fought back in the bottom of the inning, scoring five times to trim the Irish lead to one at 8-7 after seven. North Carolina would tie the game in the bottom of the 8th on the second unearned run allowed by the Irish defense. The game would head into extra innings and in the top of the 10th pinch-hitter Eric Gilgenbach cleared the bases with a double giving the Irish a 11-8 lead.

It was a complete team effort to get this win, as Jack Brannigan started the game at third base and ended the game on the mound to get the win. That makes 5 straight wins for the Irish, winners of their first four series of the year and an opportunity for their second sweep in a row tomorrow. It has been quite a start for Jarrett in his first season in South Bend. Notre Dame attempts to bring out the brooms again tomorrow, with first pitch set for 1pm EST.

Kavadas Homers Again, Notre Dame Baseball Defeats UNC 8-5 in ACC Opener

Notre Dame Baseball improved to 8-2 after beating North Carolina 8-5 in Chapel Hill.

Once again, the Irish offense got on the board early to stake ace Tommy Sheehan a lead to work with. Another long ball from 1B Niko Kavadas, his 6th of the year, in the second and three more runs in the third gave Sheehan a nice 4-0 early cushion in Chapel Hill.

The big blow in the second came off shortstop Zach Prajzner’s bat, as the other two runs weren’t as exciting with a 2B Jared Miller walk with the bases loaded and a Kavadas Sac-Fly.

Sheehan then gave up two in the bottom of the 4th to the Tar Heels, which ended his night and gave way to Tommy Vail. Vail was extremely effective giving up just three more runs in his five innings to close the game out.

The Irish got one back on CF Spencer Myers RBI single in the top of the 6th but Carolina made it a game in the bottom of the seventh, with Notre Dame keeping a 5-4 lead at the stretch.

Miller’s second RBI of the game in the top of the 8th gave the Irish a two-run lead once again and they never looked back.

Two more runs in the 9th off 3B Jack Brannigan’s double and DH Carter Putz scoring on a wild pitch. Although Vail gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, he still earned the win. First year manager Link Jarrett has to be ecstatic about this start, Notre Dame improving to 8-2 so far this year after the 8-5 win. The Irish look to win their 4th straight series tomorrow with first pitch scheduled at 2pm EST.