In game one of Notre Dame’s weekend showdown with Virginia, one of the best teams in college baseball, one play nearly upended the Cavaliers entirely. Sophomore designated hitter Bino Watters stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the third and belted a two-RBI triple to extend the Irish lead to 3-0. Virginia would come back, but not before Watters established his dominant presence early in the series.
It’s been an up-and-down year for Notre Dame baseball. They started off with a solid non-conference showing before having an even hotter start to ACC play. That tear culminated with a No. 23 ranking after sweeping No. 19 Clemson at home, their first appearance in the polls since finishing 2022 as the consensus No. 5. Though things have taken a turn for the worse since then, utility man Watters has been a key contributor through it all. A member of the 2025 ACC All-Freshman team, Watters broke out during his freshman season and has carried that momentum into his sophomore campaign with the Irish.
Last season, he started 43 of 44 games he appeared in and slashed .317/.436/.549. It was an impressive collegiate beginning, but Watters has only improved this season. Through 35 games, all of which he has started, Bino has hit .354/.434/.597 with 51 hits and 17 extra-base hits. Despite the team’s struggles as of late, Watters has been on a tear with an impressive 13-game on base streak. Of those 13 games, seven of them have also been multi-hit games.
It almost seems as if Watters pays no mind to the opponent staring him down from the mound. Even when squaring off with some of the nation’s best squads – No. 2 North Carolina, No. 8 Florida State, No. 10 Virginia and more – Watters has remained remarkably consistent and focused.
The Virginia series, in particular, was a great one. Over the course of the weekend, Watters belted six hits across 13 at-bats, including the two-RBI triple on Friday. Saturday and Sunday were just as impressive, with Bino notching two singles in each game and an RBI on Saturday that built on the lead that ultimately snapped Notre Dame’s eight-game losing streak.
Watters’ consistency is a testament to his dedication to his craft. However, he credits much of his success to his coaches as well. Speaking after a game, Watters said, “The coaches are putting us in a good spot with the scouting reports.”
According to Watters, head coach Shawn Stiffler has done an excellent job preparing all of his players for success at the plate in his fourth season at the helm.
But through all of his personal success, Watters has also found himself embracing more of a leadership role on a Notre Dame team dominated by underclassmen. He has moved into this position flawlessly and has found fulfillment in the success of his comrades just as much as in his own.
“I think we’ve got a lot of depth in the room and a lot of talent,” he said following the Irish’s 6-1 win over Valparaiso on April 14.
After freshman catcher Shane Miranda’s standout 3-for-3 performance, Watters said, “It’s good to see guys that don’t play everyday get their shot and shine.”
Arguably the most impressive aspect of Watters’ game is his versatility. It’s hard to credit him to one position because he can truly do it all. Over his two seasons with the Irish, he has started games in the infield, outfield and as a designated hitter. He has clearly been excellent as a hitter but has also shown prowess defensively. Even when not swinging the bat, he has been an anchor for Stiffler’s squad.
Going forward, Watters has expressed supreme confidence in the ability of his team to snap out of their midseason slide. They may be struggling at the moment, but Bino has faith that they will wind up just fine and be set to make a run when the time comes.
“I think we’re gonna heat up soon, which would be nice,” he explained before the Florida State trip. “I think if we put our best foot forward and everybody comes together and we figure this out down the stretch, I think we’re gonna be an awesome team.”
This weekend, the Irish return home for a showdown with the team that kickstarted their run to end last season: No. 22 Boston College. Watters will bring the same poise he has maintained all season, looking to fuel his team to a series upset.
Maintaining that belief and poise through the grind of baseball season can be tough, but Watters has found that his persistence and motivation begin off the diamond.
“I put a lot of trust in God and a lot of time into my faith,” he said.
The long season of America’s pastime lends itself to those who endure, and Watters said, “staying level-headed and grounded with the Lord outside of baseball [is key].”
Watters will be in action, when Boston College comes to face Notre Dame at home Friday at 6:30 p.m. The series continues into the weekend on Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m. and concludes Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. All three games will be at Frank Eck Stadium.
