Notre Dame players express excitement for next year after CWS run

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team might have just been eliminated from the College World Series, but the team is still in high spirits. The Fighting Irish were eliminated by the Texas A&M Aggies 5-1 on Tuesday, promptly ending their quest for a championship. That has not stopped the Fighting Irish players from expressing their excitement for next season after this College World Series run.

“Future for Notre Dame baseball is bright. We’re one of the best teams in the history, our group. And it didn’t reflect that today. Not the outcome we were looking for, but the stuff we were able to do, the group of guys we had, everything was special,” said outfielder Brooks Coetzee.

Coetzee put together an impressive senior season. The Fighting Irish star outfielder played in 57 games and recorded 58 hits, 41 runs, 11 home runs, and a batting average of .266. His solo shot home run was the lone score for Notre Dame in their last two Texas A&M.

On the podium with Coetzee on Tuesday was team captain, infielder Jared Miller. Miller, too, voiced his excitement for the future of Notre Dame baseball.

“I wish we could run that same group of guys back on the field again and give it another shot. But we’ve come a long way, and it’s been a fun ride. I’m sure I’ll reflect back on it once I process this. But I wouldn’t rather be on the field with anyone else,” said second baseman Jared Miller.

Despite a bit of a slump in the last two games, Miller was big for the Irish against Texas in their opening World Series matchup. Against the Longhorns, he was 2-3 at the plate and had a solo shot home run to start the game. He finished the year with 43 hits, 32 runs, five home runs, and a batting average of .283 over 45 games.

While both these young men are excited for the future of Notre Dame baseball, next season, they will likely watch from afar. Coetzee is a senior, and Miller is a graduate student. Despite these two likely moving on from the Fighting Irish, they have helped set a foundation with skipper Link Jarrett that could help propel Notre Dame further into the College World Series next season.