Notre Dame Baseball Drops Series Opener to NC State

Irish fall 7-3 as Wolfpack score five runs in the second inning

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:55am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic motion and competition of a college baseball game.A fragmented, cubist depiction of the back-and-forth action on the baseball diamond as Notre Dame and NC State battle for conference positioning.Today in Raleigh

The Notre Dame baseball team lost 7-3 to NC State in the series opener on Thursday night. The Wolfpack scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-2 lead, which they would not relinquish. Notre Dame's Mark Quatrani hit a solo home run in the top of the third to make it 5-3, but NC State added two more runs in the eighth to seal the victory.

Why it matters

This loss extends Notre Dame's losing streak in ACC play to four games, further damaging their chances of making the postseason. The Fighting Irish have struggled to find consistency this season, and this defeat to a conference rival is another setback in their quest to return to the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Notre Dame took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a two-RBI double by Mason Barth. However, the Wolfpack responded with a five-run bottom of the second to take a 5-2 advantage. Xavier Hirsch provided strong relief pitching for the Irish, going a career-best 5.0 innings and allowing just three hits while striking out two. But NC State added two insurance runs in the eighth to make the final score 7-3.

  • The series opener took place on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • Notre Dame is now on a 4-game losing streak in ACC play.

The players

Mason Barth

Notre Dame batter who hit a two-RBI double in the second inning.

Mark Quatrani

Notre Dame batter who hit a solo home run in the third inning.

Xavier Hirsch

Notre Dame pitcher who went a career-best 5.0 innings in relief, allowing just 3 hits and 0 runs.

Caden Crowell

Notre Dame pitcher who suffered the loss, going 2.0 innings and striking out 3.

Drew Berkland

Notre Dame outfielder whose 21-game hitting streak was snapped in this game.

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What’s next

The Irish (15-10, 6-7 ACC) look to even the series on Friday night when they take on NC State in game two starting at 6:00 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's baseball team is struggling to find consistency this season, as evidenced by their current 4-game losing streak in ACC play. This defeat to a conference rival NC State further jeopardizes their chances of making the NCAA Tournament, putting increased pressure on the team to turn things around in the remaining games.