A Promising Start Stalled
The 2026 ACC Baseball Tournament concluded in Charlotte with the Fighting Irish facing the Virginia Tech Hokies in a high‑stakes showdown. Notre Dame struck first, erupting for four runs in the opening inning, a burst that seemed to set the tone for a comfortable victory.
Key contributors in that early onslaught included Drew Berkland, Bino Watters, Mark Quatrani, Noah Coy, Jayce Lee, Mason Barth and Jamie Zee, each delivering hits that pushed the Irish ahead early. The momentum, however, was short‑lived as the Hokies answered with three runs in the second frame, narrowing the gap to a single run.
Virginia Tech’s rally continued in the bottom of the third, where they plated three more runs to seize a 6‑5 lead. The Irish responded with a timely RBI single from Mason Barth that brought Noah Coy home, briefly restoring a two‑run advantage before the Hokies struck again.
The sixth inning proved pivotal. Jamie Zee launched a lead‑off home run, briefly sparking hope of a comeback, but Virginia Tech answered with a four‑run burst that widened the deficit to 12‑6. The Irish chipped away in the seventh, with Barth driving in Noah Coy and Shane Miranda delivering a bases‑clearing double that cut the score to 12‑10.
The final two innings saw the Hokies pull away decisively, adding a run in the seventh and four more in the eighth to finish at 17‑10. Despite the loss, the Irish displayed resilience, with several players posting strong individual performances.
Jamie Zee finished 2‑for‑3 with a walk, a double, two runs and two RBI, while Jayce Lee went 3‑for‑5 with a run. Shane Miranda was 2‑for‑5 with a double and three RBI, and Mark Quatrani contributed a home run, two RBI and a run scored. Mason Barth went 2‑for‑4, driving in two and scoring once, and both Bino Watters and Dylan Passo added doubles and runs.
On the mound, Ty Uber took the loss after striking out two batters, while Caden Crowell, Noah Rooney and Chase Van Ameyde combined for additional strikeouts. Relievers Radek Birkholz, Will Jaisle and Oisin Lee each delivered scoreless outings, underscoring the effort put forth by the pitching staff.
Though the final score favored the Hokies, the game highlighted the competitive spirit of both programs. Notre Dame’s early offensive outburst and the steady contributions from a deep roster of players set the stage for a season that, despite its abrupt end, remains marked by several memorable performances.