Texas vs. Notre Dame preview for the 2022 College World Series

Chandler Mumme
·2 min read
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The No. 9 Texas Longhorns will square off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College World Series on Friday night. Both teams took down a higher-ranked team on the road in the super regionals to punch their tickets to Omaha.

Texas’ season looked all but dead in the seventh inning of game two vs. East Carolina. The Longhorns trailed 7-2 before mounting a historic comeback victory prior to dismantling the Pirates in game three.

Notre Dame was snubbed of a top 16 national seeded and proved the tournament committee wrong in a big way. The Irish swept through the regional round before pulling the upset of the year over No. 1 Tennessee in Knoxville.

Both teams enter with tons of experience and postseason familiarity. Texas appeared in the College World Series last season while Notre Dame was one game away.

Here is a look at the probable pitching matchups along with a few players to watch on both sides.

Pitching matchup

Syndication: Austin American-Statesman

Texas LHP Pete Hansen (11-2, 3.40 ERA) vs. Notre Dame LHP John Michael Bertrand (9-3, 2.69 ERA)

Players to watch

Syndication: Austin American-Statesman

Texas:

  • 1B Ivan Melendez (.396, 32 HRs and 94 RBI)

  • UTL Murphy Stehly (.376, 19 HRs and 61 RBI)

  • 3B Skyler Messinger (.372, 11 HRs and 59 RBI)

  • DH Austin Todd (.332, Six HRs and 30 RBI)

Notre Dame:

  • OF Zach Zyska (.317, 13 HRs and 33 RBI)

  • IF Carter Putz (.336, Seven HRs and 46 RBI)

  • C David LaManna (.348, Two HRs and 26 RBI)

  • RP Jack Findlay (6-2, 1.99 ERA)

Prediction: Texas over Notre Dame

AP Photo/Stephen Spillman

Texas’ high-powered offense and elite team fielding give them the advantage over Notre Dame in this game. The Longhorns were one game away from the championship series a year ago and are looking to get over the hump this time around.

Pete Hansen needs a bounce-back performance after his short outing against ECU in the super regionals. Getting to the Texas bullpen early has been the key to success against the Longhorns.

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