Notre Dame Baseball Left Out of NCAA Tournament Field After Disappointing Finish to Season and Selection Committee’s Final Decision

Notre Dame baseball’s 2025 season came to an abrupt and bitter end on Monday afternoon when the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee announced the 64-team tournament field—and the Fighting Irish were nowhere to be found. Despite flashes of competitiveness and moments that hinted at postseason potential, Notre Dame ultimately fell short of securing an at-large bid, marking a painful conclusion to a season that was at times promising but never fully convincing.

The Irish, who finished the season with a 31-24 overall record and a 14-16 mark in ACC play, were among the teams floating near the tournament bubble as Selection Monday approached. Speculation had been mounting in South Bend and across college baseball circles that Notre Dame was squarely on the edge—perhaps just inside or just outside of the bracket. But when the field was unveiled, Notre Dame’s omission sent a clear message: the body of work was not strong enough, especially in a conference that delivered several elite contenders this season.

Notre Dame’s exclusion is a tough pill to swallow, especially for a program that not long ago was among the nation’s elite. Just three years removed from a College World Series appearance in 2022 under former head coach Link Jarrett, the Irish were expected to build on the program’s momentum. While first-year head coach Shawn Stiffler entered the season with optimism, the challenge of sustaining success in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference proved to be more difficult than anticipated.

The Irish never seemed to find consistency. Their resume lacked signature wins, and the mid-season lull proved particularly damaging. A series loss at home to Georgia Tech in April was among several setbacks that loomed large in the final evaluation. Notre Dame hovered near .500 for much of the ACC schedule and failed to notch a series win over any of the league’s top-tier teams. The team did sweep Pittsburgh and took a series from Boston College, but those results were not enough to offset series losses to Florida State, Wake Forest, Virginia, and North Carolina—all of which are safely in the tournament.

Compounding Notre Dame’s case was their performance in the ACC Tournament. Entering the week with a chance to improve their resume and make one final impression on the selection committee, the Irish went winless in pool play. A 6-2 loss to North Carolina and a 9-3 defeat at the hands of Virginia sealed their fate. That disappointing showing removed any lingering doubt and made the committee’s job easier.

Though Notre Dame did not suffer many catastrophic losses, the absence of high-quality wins and a sub-.500 conference record were two critical metrics the committee could not overlook. In an era where strength of schedule, RPI, and conference performance carry immense weight, Notre Dame simply did not do enough in key moments. Their final RPI, hovering just outside the top 50, was borderline but not compelling enough to sway the selection in their favor.

It’s a frustrating conclusion for a roster that featured capable talent and a pitching staff that showed real promise at times. The Irish were led offensively by standout outfielder Brooks Coetzee and infielder Jack Penney, both of whom provided veteran leadership and production at the plate. On the mound, the rotation was anchored by RHP Aidan Tyrell and freshman phenom Liam Doyle, who offered glimpses of a bright future. But even with those contributors, the Irish often struggled to string together complete performances—games in which pitching, hitting, and defense all aligned.

Close losses became a recurring theme, and those narrow margins made the difference. A midweek extra-inning loss to Michigan, a walk-off defeat to NC State, and a blown lead late against Duke are just a few examples of games that might have swung the needle. Unfortunately, in a sport with so few regular season games compared to other collegiate sports, those missed opportunities become magnified.

This missed tournament bid will undoubtedly spark internal reflection. For Coach Stiffler, this offseason presents a crucial moment to recalibrate the program’s direction. Stiffler, who took over in 2023 following Jarrett’s departure to Florida State, remains committed to building a sustained winner in South Bend. His track record at VCU—where he led the Rams to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances—suggests he has the pedigree to do so. But now, he faces the challenge of proving that vision at a Power Five level, where expectations are greater and the margin for error is smaller.

Recruiting will play a significant role in how quickly Notre Dame can bounce back. The 2025 recruiting class is expected to bring in several promising young players, particularly on the mound and in the infield. Player development and retention—especially in the era of the transfer portal—will also be vital. Notre Dame, like many programs, must now navigate an offseason full of uncertainty as players weigh their options in what has become a more transient collegiate landscape.

The disappointment of being left out of the NCAA Tournament cannot be understated, especially for the seniors who have likely worn the Irish uniform for the final time. For them, the dream of one last postseason run ends in heartbreak. For underclassmen and incoming recruits, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger.

The Irish faithful, known for their passion and pride across all sports, will undoubtedly expect a response. Notre Dame baseball has shown in recent years that it can compete with the best, and now the challenge is to recapture that form. That begins with honest evaluation—of what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change moving forward.

In a year where the ACC placed multiple teams in the NCAA Tournament, Notre Dame’s absence is glaring. The program’s leadership knows it cannot afford to fall behind in a conference that only seems to be getting stronger. As teams like Florida State, Wake Forest, and Virginia continue to push the standard higher, Notre Dame must answer that call—not just with effort, but with execution.

Notre Dame baseball has the facilities, the tradition, and the resources to remain relevant on the national stage. But in today’s college baseball environment, that’s no longer enough. The margin between being one of the last teams in and the first teams out is razor-thin. In 2025, the Irish found themselves on the wrong side of that line.

The emotions following the announcement were raw. Coach Stiffler, speaking to media Monday evening, acknowledged the sting of the moment.

“We believed we had a case,” Stiffler said. “But at the end of the day, you have to leave no doubt. And we didn’t do that.”

It’s a sobering reality for a program with postseason ambitions. Still, the message from the coaching staff is clear: This is not the end, but a starting point. A missed tournament can be a catalyst—a moment that galvanizes a team and sharpens its resolve.

In the coming weeks, the coaching staff will turn its attention to player meetings, exit interviews, and summer ball assignments. The groundwork for 2026 begins now. While fans and players alike may be disappointed today, the fight to return to the NCAA Tournament has already begun behind the scenes.

Notre Dame baseball has known triumph. It has been a giant-killer and a CWS contender. This season, it learned the cost of inconsistency and the thin line between hope and heartbreak. The mission now is to ensure that the Irish never again leave their fate in someone else’s hands.