This weekend marked the beginning of the Notre Dame baseball team’s 2024 season, and the Irish have already set the tone with a promising start in Houston. Facing off against Rice in a three-game series, Notre Dame showcased resilience and plenty of potential, securing three wins and a sweep in the opening matchups.
In the second game, the Irish faced a 4-3 deficit entering the eighth inning. However, a comeback saw them scoring three runs in both the eighth and ninth innings, securing a 9-5 victory and the series win. David Glancy’s game-tying solo home run and Simon Baumgardt’s two-run homer were pivotal moments, showcasing the team’s offensive firepower. Then, in the series finale, the Fighting Irish scored five runs in the seventh inning to again earn a come from behind victory. Outfielder Tito Flores hit Notre Dame’s first grand slam of the season to complete a 13-10 win.
Shawn Stiffler, entering his second season as head coach in South Bend, inherited a program that reached the College World Series just before his arrival. Despite losing key players from that historic postseason run, the Irish finished the 2023 season with a 30-24 record, falling short of the NCAA Tournament. Now, in 2024, Notre Dame boasts a deep and experienced roster, with nearly half the starting lineup returning, along with the majority of their top pitching from the previous year.
Adding to the excitement are four notable transfers from prominent programs: outfielders David Glancey (St. John’s), Tito Flores (Michigan), Nathan Manning (Cal), and infielder/outfielder Josh Hahn (UCLA). Coach Stiffler expects these transfers to play impactful roles, enhancing the team’s overall capabilities.
“I’m as excited for this opening day as I’ve ever been,” expressed Stiffler just days before the season opener. “I cannot wait to go compete with this team.”
The players share in their coach’s enthusiasm, expressing lofty expectations for the upcoming season. Flores voiced the team’s ambition.
“The plan is to win… go to Omaha and compete for a national championship,” said Flores.
Coach Stiffler, while acknowledging the desire to win the ACC and reach forty victories, emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process. “There are a lot of paths to the NCAA regionals and to Omaha,” he explained. “If we can concentrate on understanding clearly what the metrics of a really good baseball team look like, from there, we can concentrate on being better every day.”