ACC Baseball Breakdown – 4/25

Posted by Brandon Rink on April 25, 2011 under ACC Baseball | Comments are off for this article

Tigers sent a message this past weekend against Wake Forest, but not exactly the one they'd like. (Pic per OrangeandWhite.com)

This weekend had some surprises that shook up the projections for the ACC and NCAA Tourneys…

OVERALL PICTURE

Miami snapped UNC’s 19-game home winning streak and kept them on the downward spiral this weekend (lost 5 of last 6 ACC games) by taking 2 of 3. The Hurricanes are now three games back of division-leading Virginia.

And on those ‘Hoos, they couldn’t pull the sweep on NC State after ace lefty Danny Hultzen was roughed up in game one of a doubleheader. They’re still No. 1 in the Baseball America poll.

The Jackets stand just a game back of the top spot after sweeping BC.

If I had to rank the ACC after this weekend, I’d go…

  1. Virginia (40-4, 18-3)
  2. Georgia Tech (30-11, 17-4)
  3. Miami (27-13, 15-6)
  4. Florida State (31-10, 14-7)
  5. North Carolina (32-10, 13-8)
  6. Clemson (25-14, 11-10)
  7. NC State (24-18, 9-12)
  8. Wake Forest (16-25, 7-14)
  9. Boston College (14-23, 6-15)
  10. Virginia Tech (23-18, 7-14)
  11. Duke (20-23, 4-17)
  12. Maryland (17-25, 4-17)

COASTAL DIVISION CONTENDERS

Virginia Outlook…

Remaining ACC Series: @BC, Miami, @UNC

Virginia is still rolling along, but they’ll want to pull a sweep from Boston College this weekend as Miami and Georgia Tech aren’t fading away.

Projected Finish: 1st

NCAA Tourney Projection: National seed

Georgia Tech Outlook…

Remaining ACC Series: @Clemson, UNC, @VT

It’s Clemson-Georgia Tech week – a rivalry that’s heated up of late. The Jackets are fresh off sweeping another Atlantic team in Boston College, and they’d like another cross-divisional series win going into a series with UNC at home and trip to Blacksburg.

Projected Finish: 2nd

NCAA Tourney Projection: Regional host

Miami Outlook…

Remaining ACC Series: FSU, @UVa, Duke.

The Hurricanes had the most impressive weekend in the ACC with a road series win at UNC, and are now within striking distance of the division-lead, but first, it’s a huge rivalry series with the Seminoles. Both teams are playing well coming in so get your popcorn ready for that one.

Projected Finish: 3rd

NCAA Tourney Projection: Regional host

UNC Outlook…

Remaining ACC Series: Maryland, @GT, UVa.

We said reeling last week – free-fall mode now? They’ve gone from national seed contender to the back of the pack of the Coastal leaders (5 GB from Virginia now with 9 games to go – just 1 GB two weeks ago). In the rotation and bullpen, the Heels just have found little answers beyond the Sunday gem by Kent Emanuel (CG, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 Ks in a 8-1 win).

Projected Finish: 4th

NCAA Tourney Projection: 2 seed

ATLANTIC DIVISION CONTENDERS

FSU Outlook…

Remaining ACC Series: @Miami, @NC State, Clemson

FSU has gone the opposite of UNC after the Heels-Noles matchup with a 5-1 mark – sweeping Duke this weekend and taking 2 of 3 from Virginia Tech to maintain a three game lead in the Atlantic. Add two wins over Florida-Gulf Coast and the Seminoles are making their case to take the division and stay home for the NCAA Tournament’s first round and Super Regionals.

Projected Finish: 1st

NCAA Tourney Projection: Regional host

Clemson Outlook…

Remaining ACC Series: GT, @VT, @FSU

Took in Clemson-Wake Forest baseball this weekend, and let’s just say the Tigers weren’t overly impressive. Saturday starter Scott Firth only went two innings and gave up 3 runs of the 9 runs the Demon Deacs posted to steal a win from Clemson. The Tiger bats were pretty pretty silent in the first two games before an eruption on Sunday for 10 runs and 12 hits. It was just a series that confirmed my doubts that they’ll make another late run for the Atlantic Divsion…or steal a host.

Projected Finish: 2nd

NCAA Tourney Projection: 2 seed

NC State Outlook…

Remaining ACC Series: Maryland, FSU, @BC

NC State made a statement with a win and a couple more close calls on the road at the nation’s top team in Virginia. It’s all divisional series from here on, and the Wolfpack have beaten better teams lately then all their remaining opponents.

Projected Finish: 3rd

NCAA Tourney Projection: 3 seed

Can Georgia Tech or Miami threaten Virginia? Will NC State make a surprise run? No. of CWS teams from ACC? Let me know what ya think…


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