NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Following a productive season at the plate and on the mound to begin his Notre Dame career, infielder and right-handed pitcher Jack Brannigan was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball this week.
Brannigan is the first freshman All-American for the Irish since Matt Vierling back in 2016. Brannigan joins Niko Kavadas and Joe Boyle in earning All-American honors this season.
“Jack provided stability at third base which was a position he had not played,” said head coach Link Jarrett. “He had some huge at bats throughout the season, improving each weekend. His ability to enter the game to pitch from the third base position speaks to his athleticism and versatility. We are very proud of him and his hard work is paying off.”
Brannigan was the only freshman and just one of three to play and start in all 13 games this season for the Irish. He tied for the team lead with 14 runs scored while adding 11 RBI, 12 hits, three stolen bases and one home run. The Orland Park, Illinois native also made four appearances on the mound in relief. He allowed just one run and one hit over 4.2 innings pitched and finished with a 1-0 record and 1.93 ERA.
He had a breakout series in the ACC sweep over North Carolina to kick off conference play. In the first game, he set a career high with three runs scored in the 8-5 win. In the second game, Brannigan took to the mound and tossed a career high 2.2 innings to clinch his first collegiate win. In the series finale, he set career highs with three hits and five RBI while also stealing home in the 14-8 win to sweep the series. Brannigan was one of three Irish to tally five RBI in a game this season.
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