Notre Dame’s ACC Breakthrough
Notre Dame’s baseball squad captured its first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament victory under head coach Shawn Stiffler, edging Clemson 5‑4 in a tightly contested game on Tuesday night.
Jayce Lee provided the offensive spark, delivering three extra‑base hits that included two doubles and a solo home run, driving in key runs and shifting momentum in the Fighting Irish’s favor.
The relief corps shut down Clemson’s late rally, with senior left‑hander Noah Rooney earning his sixth save after a two‑out solo homer in the ninth, while the bullpen combined for eight scoreless innings.
A Test Against Virginia Tech
Notre Dame will now travel to face seventh‑seeded Virginia Tech at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, a matchup that could extend the team’s surprising postseason run.
Starter Jack Radel endured 6 1/3 innings and 93 pitches, limiting Clemson to a single run before the bullpen took over, showcasing his grit despite the team’s three errors.
Offensively, Drew Berkland and Bino Watters added solo homers, while the Fighting Irish went hitless with runners in scoring position, underscoring the importance of timely hitting.
The win ends a drought that dated back to 2022, the last time the program captured an ACC tournament title en route to a College World Series appearance, and it comes after a regular season many labeled under‑achieving.