This week: Notre Dame College is in Florida from March 7-12 for an eight-game stint at the Russmatt Invitational. The Falcons will play against Wayne State on Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m., Gannon on Friday, March 8, at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., Ashland on Sunday, March 10, at 1:15 p.m., Sioux Falls on Monday, March 11, at 4:45 and 6:45 p.m., and Minnesota Duluth on Tuesday, March 12, at 2:15 and 4:15 p.m.

Records: The Falcons are 2-5 this year after winning their last series 2-1 at the University of Indianapolis two weeks ago. Wayne State has yet to lose this season and enter play in Florida with an 8-0 record. Gannon is currently 6-2 and has been playing in Florida since Sunday. Ashland also has a head start in Florida play, having been at the Russmatt Invite since Saturday. The Eagles are 7-1 this season. Sioux Falls is 0-6 this season after dropping two three-game series. Minnesota Duluth will begin its season on Friday in Florida.

Coaches Corner: Len Barker is in his eighth season as the head coach at Notre Dame. Barker is 154-190-1.

Rankings: None of the teams competing this week were ranked in the March 4 National College Baseball Writers' Association Poll.

Series History: Notre Dame is 1-1 against Wayne State after playing twice in 2013. The Falcons are 5-4 against Gannon after winning 7-3 at Gannon in 2017. In a series dating back to 2005, NDC is 1-3 against Ashland; the teams played last year in Florida with Ashland winning 13-2. This will be the first time Notre Dame has played Sioux Falls and Minnesota Duluth.

History in Florida: Since joining the NCAA Division II ranks prior to the 2013 season, the Falcons are 9-21 when playing in Florida. Notre Dame has played tough competition, including three top 10 ranked teams, in its previous two trips down south, which has resulted in a 2-10 record.  

Noting the Falcons: Notre Dame won their first two games of the 2019 season in exciting battles that lasted 12 and 13 innings at Indianapolis. The Falcons were able to last through those long games due to their strong pitching performances. In the team's first win, Kenny Pierson lasted the first nine innings without allowing a run before Todd Marshall came in to throw in the final four innings to earn the win. Marshall struck out 10 batters and earned MEC Player of the Week honors for his performance. In the second win, Ty Shoaff and Tyler Gault each pitched six innings and just one run between the two. Pierson, Shoaff and Gault have all started games this season along with Chris Murphy, but with eight games over six days, the Falcons will likely have to call on other pitchers like Marshall to make starts.