Stanford was swept by Notre Dame, as pitching struggles plagued the Cardinal throughout the series, leading to costly losses

In a weekend that many hoped would mark a turning point in the season, the Stanford Cardinal were instead dealt a crushing blow by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who completed a sweep of the Cardinal in a three-game series. As the calendar flipped to April and conference play ramped up, the stakes were high for both teams. For Stanford, the series offered a chance to solidify their position in the postseason race and gain momentum heading into the second half of the year. For Notre Dame, it was an opportunity to build on their recent successes and continue their strong play. However, it was the pitching struggles that plagued Stanford throughout the series, costing them dearly in all three games, ultimately resulting in a sweep by Notre Dame.

The Build-Up to the Series

As the season entered its middle stages, the Stanford Cardinal were ranked among the top teams in college baseball, with their pitching staff being one of their greatest strengths. The team had shown signs of being a legitimate contender in the competitive Pac-12, but inconsistency on the mound had been a persistent issue. Still, their potent offense and solid defense had carried them to a strong record and a favorable position in the standings.

On the other side, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were coming off a strong showing in non-conference play, having proved themselves to be a formidable team in 2024. With a well-balanced roster and a pitching staff that had performed admirably, they arrived in Palo Alto with confidence. Their offense had been firing on all cylinders, and their pitchers had been reliable. Still, even with that solid foundation, nobody could have predicted just how much Stanford’s pitching struggles would allow the Irish to capitalize.

As the series began, Stanford’s coaching staff, led by David Esquer, knew that they needed to get their pitching in order if they were to compete with a surging Notre Dame team. Unfortunately for the Cardinal, their pitchers were unable to deliver, and that was the story of the weekend.

Game 1: A Blowout Loss

The series opener on Friday night was an early indication of what was to come for Stanford. The game was set up to be a highly anticipated battle, with Stanford’s ace, Chris Tyler, taking the mound against Notre Dame’s talented sophomore, Jack Ford. Tyler had been one of the best pitchers in the Pac-12, with a solid ERA and a reputation for being a dominant force on the mound. Ford, meanwhile, was emerging as one of the top pitchers in the ACC, having put up strong numbers to start the season.

However, right from the first inning, it was clear that something was off for Tyler. He struggled with command, issuing multiple walks and finding himself in deep counts throughout the game. Despite some flashes of brilliance, Tyler couldn’t find any rhythm, and Notre Dame took advantage, pushing across a run in the first inning and adding more in the second.

Chris Tyler’s struggles were compounded by a lack of run support from the Stanford offense. While the Cardinal hitters were able to scratch out a few hits here and there, they couldn’t get anything going against Ford, who appeared calm and collected on the mound. Ford mixed his pitches well and kept the Stanford hitters off balance, consistently putting them in positions where they were forced to swing at pitches they couldn’t handle.

The game quickly got away from Stanford as their pitching woes deepened. Tyler was pulled in the fourth inning, and the bullpen wasn’t able to stop the bleeding. By the time the final out was recorded, Notre Dame had secured a dominant 9-3 victory, sending a clear message to the Cardinal: if they couldn’t fix their pitching, this series was going to get out of hand fast.

Game 2: Another Pitching Collapse

After a dispiriting loss in Game 1, Stanford entered Game 2 hoping for a bounce-back performance. This time, they turned to Darren Mitchell, one of their more reliable pitchers, to stem the tide. Mitchell had shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the season, but as with many Stanford pitchers in this series, his command was inconsistent.

Mitchell struggled to find the zone from the outset. Notre Dame’s offense wasted no time in capitalizing on his lack of command, scoring four runs in the first three innings. The Irish hitters were patient, taking advantage of Stanford’s inability to locate pitches and forcing Mitchell into situations where he had to throw strikes. Mitchell was unable to adjust, and the Irish continued to pour it on.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s starting pitcher, Andrew Thomas, was putting on a clinic. The senior right-hander had been one of the most consistent pitchers for the Irish all season and showed why in this game. Thomas had everything working—his fastball was electric, his breaking ball was sharp, and his changeup kept Stanford’s batters off balance. He threw seven strong innings, allowing only two runs on five hits and striking out eight.

Stanford’s bullpen also faltered. After Mitchell was pulled in the fourth inning, the bullpen came in to try and limit the damage. But, just like in Game 1, the relievers were unable to stop the bleeding. The Irish tacked on several more runs, eventually cruising to an 8-4 victory.

As the Cardinal trudged off the field, it was clear that the pitching struggles were taking their toll. The offense had shown some life, but they were not getting enough consistent performances from their pitchers to stay in the game. The defeat meant that Stanford would need a miracle in Game 3 to avoid a sweep.

Game 3: The Final Nail in the Coffin

Heading into the series finale on Sunday, Stanford knew they had to get their act together if they wanted to salvage anything from this disastrous weekend. Tyler Haynes, Stanford’s freshman starter, took the mound, hoping to deliver the breakout performance that his team so desperately needed. However, the pitching issues continued to haunt the Cardinal, as Haynes failed to get through the fifth inning, giving up five earned runs and walking four batters.

Notre Dame’s offense remained red-hot, scoring early and often. Their hitters showed no mercy, pounding out base hits, working walks, and taking advantage of every mistake Stanford’s pitchers made. In the top of the third inning, the Irish scored four runs, which effectively put the game out of reach. Stanford’s bullpen, once again, couldn’t slow down the Irish bats, and the game ended in another blowout, with Notre Dame securing an 11-5 victory to complete the series sweep.

A Historic Sweep: Pitching Woes Doom the Cardinal

The sweep was not only a setback for Stanford’s postseason hopes, but it also marked the first time in years that they had been swept at home in a three-game series. The Cardinal had entered the weekend as a contender in the Pac-12, but their pitching struggles left them exposed. This series served as a stark reminder of how crucial pitching is to a team’s success, especially in high-stakes games against a talented opponent like Notre Dame.

The lack of control from Stanford’s pitchers was the primary issue throughout the weekend. The Cardinal gave up 29 runs in the three games, an unacceptable total for a team with postseason aspirations. The pitching staff’s inability to execute basic fundamentals—such as throwing strikes and getting ahead in counts—allowed Notre Dame to dictate the pace of every game.

“We just didn’t have it on the mound this weekend,” said Stanford’s pitching coach, Chuck Lofgren, after the sweep. “It’s tough to win when you’re giving up so many free passes and leaving pitches over the plate. We’ll have to go back to work and figure out how to address the inconsistency.”

Looking Ahead: Can Stanford Bounce Back?

Despite the sweep, there is still hope for Stanford. They are a talented team with a solid offense and a capable pitching staff. However, they must address their pitching issues if they are to contend for a postseason spot. There are still several weeks left in the regular season, and Stanford will need to regroup and find a way to execute in critical games.

“We have to refocus and get back to playing our brand of baseball,” said coach Esquer. “The season isn’t over, but we have to make some adjustments. Our pitching staff has to improve, and our offense needs to be more consistent. We have to play better all around.”

With several key games on the horizon, Stanford will need to find their rhythm on the mound if they hope to recover from this difficult series and continue their push toward the postseason.

For Notre Dame, the sweep was a statement win, showing that they can compete with some of the best teams in the country. With their pitching staff and offensive lineup firing on all cylinders, the Irish have put themselves in a strong position heading into the rest of their season.

As for Stanford, it’s back to the drawing board. The pitching woes that plagued them this weekend must be addressed if they hope to salvage the remainder of their season. The Cardinal now face a critical stretch in their schedule, with their playoff hopes on the line.

Stanford’s series against Notre Dame was a harsh reminder of how unforgiving college baseball can be. The Cardinal’s pitching struggles were exposed in a big way, and they paid the price with a sweep that could have major implications for their season. However, the road to redemption is not over yet. With adjustments to be made, and lessons learned from the sweep, Stanford has the opportunity to regroup and bounce back. It’s up to their pitching staff to find their rhythm again and lead the way for a potential late-season run.

For Notre Dame, the series sweep was a statement of their growing strength and an indication that they are a team to watch in the coming months. But in the world of college baseball, anything can happen, and the season is far from decided. Both teams will look to learn from this series as they prepare for the challenges ahead.