The Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team had been mired in mediocrity for most of the season, to the point where more than a few people were calling for head coach Shawn Stiffler’s head.
However, Stiffler’s squad is suddenly red hot, having notched their sixth straight win and fourth straight ACC victory. On Friday night, ND beat the Cal Golden Bears, 8-1 and improved their record to 22-17 and 8-14 in the ACC. There’s enough of the season left that Stiffler’s squad could all of the sudden, be a player in the conference tournament.
Marcus Freeman’s bold plan
Earlier this week, Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman held his final press conference of the spring practice session and he talked about what he plans for the defensive line to replace Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III.
Freeman made it clear he doesn’t think you can replace them one-to-one, but he thinks he has enough bodies that the Irish will be able to replace their production with five or six different players.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish draft drought ends
No Golden Domers were taken in the first round, but the long wait for Benjamin Morrison ended in the second round when he was taken by the Tampa Bay Bucs. A video at his draft party showed Morrison was overcome with emotion when he got the call from Todd Bowles.
One round later, Xavier Watts followed his defensive back mate to the NFL as he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round. They were the only Irish who were taken in the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft but we’re expecting several to go in on Saturday.
Shedeur Sanders still waiting for the call
Speaking of a draft drought, both Notre Dame Fighting Irish players were drafted before Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was selected. The Buffs star and son of Deion Sanders is still sitting at home waiting. He’ll be at best, a fourth round pick now and more than a few analyst are shocked at how he’s still out there and available for the taking.