NCAAOct 21, 2015 by Sarah Hoffman
ACC Season Preview: Notre Dame
ACC Season Preview: Notre Dame
After previewing the top teams in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, and Big 12, we're moving to the last major Division 1 conference and breaking down the top three
After previewing the top teams in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, and Big 12, we're moving to the last major Division 1 conference and breaking down the top three teams in the ACC, moving now to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
As a newcomer to the ACC, Notre Dame has made quite an impact in only two seasons. With 2014 being its first season in the ACC, the Irish have managed to finish in the top three in 2014 and 2015 after transitioning from the Big East conference.
Notre Dame had all but dominated the Big East Conference winning six conference championships in the 10-year span from 1999-2009. Much of the Irish’s success has come during the tenure of current head coach Deanna Gumpf. Hired in 2002, Gumpf won seven Big East conference titles from 2002-2013 and has led the Fighting Irish to NCAA appearances every year she has coached.
The graduating class of 2015 certainly played a large role in Notre Dame’s success last season. Senior outfielder Emilee Koerner and senior infielder Katey Haus had nearly identical, outstanding stats on the season. Koerner hit .410 with 10 home runs and 57 runs batted in while Haus hit .409 with 11 home runs and 59 runs batted in. Besides Koerner and Haus, the Irish lose speedster Jenna Simon, who led the team with 29 stolen bases, and catcher Cassidy Whidden.
The number one offensive threat for the Irish does return for her junior season this year. Outfielder Karley Wester led the entire ACC with a .429 batting average while stealing 26 bases on the season. More good news for Notre Dame is that they return senior infielder Micaela Arizmendi. The true lefty blasted 11 home runs last season and drove in 54 RBIs while posting a .372 batting average.
Karley Wester led the Irish offense last year as a sophomore with a conference-leading .429 batting average and 26 stolen bases
The Irish pitching staff also remains intact, with both senior Allie Rhodes and junior Rachel Nasland returning to the circle in 2016. The lefty/right pair had nearly identical ERAs — 2.81 and 2.83, respectively — with Rhodes collecting 20 wins and Nasland just shy of Rhodes with 17 victories.
Needing to replace some graduated talent, the Irish bring in a freshman class of five. Leading the 2016 recruiting class for the Irish is right-handed pitcher Caitlyn Brooks. FloSoftball's Hot 100 No. 29 player, Brooks had a standout club career with a top national program in the SoCal Choppers. Junior outfielder Karley Wester's sister, Ali Wester, joins the Irish this season as well. Wester was FloSoftball's Hot 100 No. 37 player and should expect to see time in the outfield as a freshman. The Irish add two other FloSoftball Hot 100 players, the No. 66 infielder Melissa Rochford and No. 98 power-hitting catcher Madison McCracken as well as infielder Mary Kathryn Bonamy.
Freshman Ali Wester joins her sister, junior outfielder Karley Wester, this season for the Irish
As long as Notre Dame's strong recruiting class can fill the offensive gaps left by the graduating seniors, expect the Fighting Irish to be battling it out at the top of the ACC again this year.
As a newcomer to the ACC, Notre Dame has made quite an impact in only two seasons. With 2014 being its first season in the ACC, the Irish have managed to finish in the top three in 2014 and 2015 after transitioning from the Big East conference.
Notre Dame had all but dominated the Big East Conference winning six conference championships in the 10-year span from 1999-2009. Much of the Irish’s success has come during the tenure of current head coach Deanna Gumpf. Hired in 2002, Gumpf won seven Big East conference titles from 2002-2013 and has led the Fighting Irish to NCAA appearances every year she has coached.
The graduating class of 2015 certainly played a large role in Notre Dame’s success last season. Senior outfielder Emilee Koerner and senior infielder Katey Haus had nearly identical, outstanding stats on the season. Koerner hit .410 with 10 home runs and 57 runs batted in while Haus hit .409 with 11 home runs and 59 runs batted in. Besides Koerner and Haus, the Irish lose speedster Jenna Simon, who led the team with 29 stolen bases, and catcher Cassidy Whidden.
The number one offensive threat for the Irish does return for her junior season this year. Outfielder Karley Wester led the entire ACC with a .429 batting average while stealing 26 bases on the season. More good news for Notre Dame is that they return senior infielder Micaela Arizmendi. The true lefty blasted 11 home runs last season and drove in 54 RBIs while posting a .372 batting average.
Karley Wester led the Irish offense last year as a sophomore with a conference-leading .429 batting average and 26 stolen bases
The Irish pitching staff also remains intact, with both senior Allie Rhodes and junior Rachel Nasland returning to the circle in 2016. The lefty/right pair had nearly identical ERAs — 2.81 and 2.83, respectively — with Rhodes collecting 20 wins and Nasland just shy of Rhodes with 17 victories.
Needing to replace some graduated talent, the Irish bring in a freshman class of five. Leading the 2016 recruiting class for the Irish is right-handed pitcher Caitlyn Brooks. FloSoftball's Hot 100 No. 29 player, Brooks had a standout club career with a top national program in the SoCal Choppers. Junior outfielder Karley Wester's sister, Ali Wester, joins the Irish this season as well. Wester was FloSoftball's Hot 100 No. 37 player and should expect to see time in the outfield as a freshman. The Irish add two other FloSoftball Hot 100 players, the No. 66 infielder Melissa Rochford and No. 98 power-hitting catcher Madison McCracken as well as infielder Mary Kathryn Bonamy.
Freshman Ali Wester joins her sister, junior outfielder Karley Wester, this season for the Irish
As long as Notre Dame's strong recruiting class can fill the offensive gaps left by the graduating seniors, expect the Fighting Irish to be battling it out at the top of the ACC again this year.