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Stiffler era starts sour in series loss at Lipscomb

By Tyler Reidy · Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

Few opening weekends in recent memory were more anticipated than the one this year for Notre Dame baseball. After improbably reaching the College World Series last year and hiring new head coach Shawn Stiffler in the offseason, the Irish took the field on Friday with plenty of excitement behind them. Fifty hours later, hope turned to concern as Lipscomb took two of three games from Notre Dame in Nashville, Tennessee. The Irish fell 5-4 on Friday, battled to an 8-4 win Saturday, then crumbled late in Sunday’s 4-2 loss.

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Notre Dame posts 1-3 record at Big Ten/ACC Challenge

By Tyler Reidy · Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

Notre Dame softball visited Clemson for its second weekend of action, competing against Ohio State and No. 14 Northwestern. The Irish beat the Buckeyes in Friday’s opener but dropped the final three games of the event. The weekend began positively, as the Irish hit OSU well and tested the Wildcats. However, ND’s final 11 innings in Clemson revealed where it can improve most. Reflecting on the four-game set, head coach Deanna Gumpf appreciated the opportunity in front of her team.

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Irish take No. 7 Virginia to the wire, fall 57-55

By Tyler Reidy · Monday, Feb. 20, 2023

There are no moral victories in college basketball, but there is something to be said for what Notre Dame men’s basketball has been doing away from Purcell Pavilion. The Irish have visited 19-plus win teams in three of their last four road games. They lost 85-82 to No. 23 NC State on Jan. 24, fell 68-64 in Duke’s hostile environment last Tuesday and most recently battled No. 7 Virginia to a 57-55 loss Saturday afternoon. Despite having to play through an unexpectedly rotten season, Notre Dame has not shied away from the nastiest challenges. Even as double-digit underdogs, the Irish have taken expectedly stronger opponents to the brink on multiple occasions. Saturday’s game at John Paul Jones Arena was perhaps their best opportunity to rock the ACC with an upset.

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