Irish Pitching Collapses as No. 13 Virginia Races Past Notre Dame 20-5

Notre Dame baseball entered Sunday's rubber match against No. 13 Virginia with a chance to build momentum after a rocky ACC stretch. Instead, the Irish watched the game unravel in spectacular fashion as the Cavaliers poured across runs in six consecutive innings, eventually winning 20-5 in eight frames at Frank Eck Stadium.

The Irish found themselves in a tight contest through three innings, trailing just 5-4 after Jayce Lee launched a two-run homer to right field. Dylan Singleton had kept Virginia largely in check early, but he couldn't escape the third, and the Notre Dame bullpen was summoned to manage the remainder of the game. Eight different pitchers saw action for the Irish over the final five innings as the deficit grew.

Virginia seized control with a four-run fourth inning and never looked back, adding single runs in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth to reach its 20-run total. The Cavaliers' lineup was patient and aggressive in equal measure, capitalizing on every mistake the Notre Dame staff offered.

Offensively, the Irish had their moments. Bino Watters went 2-for-4 with a run scored, Mason Barth drove in a run and drew a walk, and Jayce Lee finished 1-for-3 with his home run and two RBIs. Brandon Logan added a single and scored. But the pitching staff simply couldn't hold the game close once Virginia found its rhythm.

The loss drops Notre Dame to 16-15 overall and 7-11 in ACC play. Since sweeping Clemson in late March, the Irish have dropped three consecutive conference series. The schedule won't get any easier — Notre Dame travels to Tallahassee next to face Florida State, currently third in the ACC, before returning home to host Boston College, which sits fourth.

Before ACC play resumes, the Irish will host in-state foe Valparaiso on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET. It's a chance to reset against a non-conference opponent before another brutal league gauntlet.