SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The buzz of college baseball is palpable this weekend as the Notre Dame baseball team kicks off its first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) home series against Georgia Tech, starting on Friday, March 21, 2025.
The series will feature three exciting games played at Jake Kline Field – Frank Eck Stadium. Fans can expect packed action as the matchup promises significant implications for the standings early in the season. The first game is scheduled for 4:30 PM ET today, showcasing RHP Jack Radel for Notre Dame against Georgia Tech’s RHP Tate McKee.
Entering this weekend, the Fighting Irish have a 12-6 overall record and a mere 1-5 mark within the ACC, while the Yellow Jackets boast an impressive 17-4 record and a 4-2 standing in conference play. Historical rivalry favors the Yellow Jackets slightly, leading the all-time series 14-12. The pair previously clashed in 2023, where the Irish claimed a spectacular 17-4 victory on their last meeting’s final day.
Moreno had an exceptional outing in the team’s last game, where they opened their home slate with a fantastic 18-4 win over Butler. Estevan Moreno notably became the first Irish player since 2016 to hit for the cycle, demonstrating his prowess at the plate. Bino Watters made headlines too, blasting two home runs — marking his first multi-home run game of his career. Such performances have undoubtedly injected optimism into the Irish’s campaign as they look to navigate through their challenging schedule.
As the season progresses, head coach Shawn Stiffler’s leadership will be pivotal. The Irish will lean heavily on their 2025 team captains for guidance: Brady Gumpf, Jackson Dennies, Radek Birkholz, and Estevan Moreno, who are primed to make significant contributions. Having combined experiences and impressive previous statistics, their roles will be crucial as Notre Dame aims to shift its ACC record into a more favorable light.
Meanwhile, further south in Murray, Kentucky, the Murray State Racers (13-4) will kick off their own Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play against Evansville (5-15). Game one will take place this afternoon at 3 PM. This sets the stage for the 70th meeting between these two teams, with Murray State having swept the series from the Purple Aces just last season.
Currently leading the MVC in team batting average at .310, hits with 194, and on-base percentage at .424 highlights the depth of talent on the Murray State roster. Players like catcher Will Vierling, first baseman Luke Mistone, and pitcher Dylan Zentko are among those honored in the MVC Preseason All-Conference team and are expected to drive the Racers’ offensive machine.
The Racers are riding high after a recent victory over Kentucky, and with two scheduled games tomorrow featuring a doubleheader starting early at noon, the anticipation among fans is escalating. Their opening game today will feature starting pitcher Ethan Lyke, who has hastily compiled a 2-0 record with a 4.34 ERA.
Finally, across state lines, the University of Missouri is set to welcome No. 24 Ole Miss for their Southeastern Conference (SEC) home series. The opening game kicks off at 6 PM today at Taylor Stadium. This gives Mizzou fans a chance to rally behind their team as they seek to turn their season around after an 8-11 start, following a tough three-game stretch against top-ranked LSU.
Missouri will look to rely on their pitching ace LHP Ian Lohse, who has gathered significant attention from the league’s scouts and has amassed 31 strikeouts over 29.1 innings pitched so far this season. The Tigers have a slightly historical edge against Ole Miss on home turf, boasting five wins from their last eight encounters at Taylor Stadium.
Fans attending this weekend can also enjoy a variety of promotions, including a ‘Black Out’ theme and an SEC poster giveaway on Friday, followed by a ‘Bark at the Park’ event on Sunday. Promotions like these are vital in creating engaging experiences, encouraging families and fans to support their teams in large numbers.
As the weekend unfolds, all three schools will be poised to deliver performances that redefine their season trajectories. No doubt, the excitement of college baseball will captivate fans and leave its mark across the landscape of collegiate athletics as they chase glory on the diamond.
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