Irish Baseball Drops Pair Against Tar Heels

Notre Dame falls 6-5 and 13-7 in ACC doubleheader

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic action of a college baseball game, with players and the field rendered in sharp, angular geometric shapes in shades of green, navy, and white.Notre Dame's struggles against North Carolina expose cracks in the Fighting Irish's postseason hopes.South Bend Today

The No. 23 Notre Dame baseball team lost both games of an ACC doubleheader against No. 13 North Carolina on Saturday, falling 6-5 in the first game and 13-7 in the second game at Frank Eck Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

Why it matters

The losses drop Notre Dame's record to 23-12 overall and 9-9 in ACC play, making it more difficult for the Fighting Irish to secure a high seed in the upcoming conference tournament. North Carolina, meanwhile, improves to 25-10 and 11-7 in the ACC, strengthening its position in the crowded Coastal Division.

The details

In the first game, Notre Dame rallied from an early 3-1 deficit to take a 5-3 lead in the seventh inning, but North Carolina scored three runs in the eighth to win 6-5. In the second game, the Tar Heels jumped out to a 5-3 lead and then broke the game open with a six-run sixth inning on their way to a 13-7 victory.

  • The doubleheader took place on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • Game three of the series is scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The players

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The No. 23 ranked baseball team of the University of Notre Dame.

North Carolina Tar Heels

The No. 13 ranked baseball team of the University of North Carolina.

Noah Coy

A Notre Dame outfielder who went 3-for-4 with a home run, triple, two runs, and an RBI in the first game.

Davis Johnson

A Notre Dame outfielder who hit a solo home run in the first game.

Jayce Lee

A Notre Dame infielder who hit a go-ahead solo home run in the seventh inning of the first game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We had our chances but just couldn't capitalize when we needed to. Credit to North Carolina, they made the plays when it mattered most.”

— Link Jarrett, Notre Dame Head Coach

What’s next

Notre Dame will look to avoid the sweep when the teams meet again on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

This series loss is a setback for Notre Dame's postseason aspirations, but the Fighting Irish still have time to turn things around and position themselves for an NCAA Tournament berth if they can rebound in the final weeks of the regular season.