2013 ACC Baseball Tourney Preview

ACC ACC Teams Baseball219

acc-tourney

The regular season is over.  The Pack finishes a half game back of Atlantic Divsion Champs FSU.  Lotsa “what if’s” and “woulda, shoulda, coulda’s” that could be pointed to.

But here at SFN, we’re all about being optimistic and looking forward 😀

The post-season is where it’s at.  Time to make some noise.

–

The 2013 ACC Baseball Tournament gets underway this Wednesday, May 22.

For those of you who haven’t followed the ACC Baseball Tournament recently, or those who have just forgotten from last year, the ACC uses pool play format.  What this means is that the teams from each pool play a round robin format, playing each team in their respective pool once, with the winners from each pool advancing to the championship game.  If a given team wins all three of their games, they’re assured of advancing.

It’s when two (or more) teams roll in at 2-1 that things get interesting.  In the event of a two way tie, the head to head result determines the tiebreaker.  If it’s a three way tie, the highest seeded team moves on.

Hence why letting FSU come into Raleigh and take our lunch money last weekend might come back to bite us, as that has slotted us behind Carolina as far as seeding in our pool.  Had we won the division and taken the number two seed, we’d be the frontrunner in the other pool.  But hey, like I said, no “what if’s” around here (eff you ‘Noles).

The pools for the tourney are:

POOL A – No. 1 North Carolina, No. 4 NC State, No. 5 Clemson, No. 8 Miami
POOL B – No. 2 Florida State, No. 3 Virginia, No. 6 Virginia Tech, No. 7 Georgia Tech

–

The Competition

Pool A (Ours)

UNCLogoNorth Carolina Tar Heels

2013: 1-1 vs The Pack

48-8 (21-7 ACC, 1st Coastal, #1 overall seed, Rank #6, RPI #2)

Carolina finds itself in an unusual position entering the ACC Tourney.  That is to say, for the first time all season they’re not ranked #1.  Not even in the top 5.  That’s stupid.  As much as I hate them, they are one of the best three teams in the country.  To get by them in a one and done situation (which Saturday night likely will be for both teams) we’ll have to have our A+++ game going.

Miami-Hurricanes-8Miami Hurricanes

2013: Did not face The Pack

35-21 (14-16, 5th Coastal, #8 overall seed, Unranked, #19 RPI)

The ‘Canes are one of those ACC teams that could jump up and beat anybody.  Or sink down and lose to anybody.  Case in point, they’re the only team this year to have lost a series to Boston College.  Still, their #19 RPI isn’t by accident.  None of the top teams (UNC, UVa, FSU) managed to sweep them, and they won their series vs Clemson.

clemsonpawClemson Tigers

2013: 2-1 vs The Pack

39-17 (18-12 ACC, 3rd Atlantic, #5 overall seed, Rank #18, RPI #12)

Eff you Clemson.  I still feel dirty for having pulled for you in Tallahassee last weekend.  When we could have used your help you came up empty and looked like a deer in the headlights in the process (on Saturday at least).  For your efforts you get the 5 seed.  Hope you choke on it.  The Pack lost their series to Clemson this year at home, 2 games to 1.  Game one of that series (3/8) also happens to be when Trea Turner sustained his freak injury (on the very last play of the game no less).  Now I know Clemson isn’t really responsible for that….but they are.  Time to skin a Tigger.  No mercy.

–

Pool B (The Other Side)

fsuFlorida State Seminoles

2013: 2-1 vs The Pack

44-12 (20-10 ACC, 1st Atlantic, #2 overall seed, Rank #7, RPI #5)

What more needs to be said about the ‘Noles?  Came to Raleigh and took our lunch money.  Overcame a Thursday loss to Clemson to take two straight from the toothless Tiggers and hang on (barely) to the Atlantic Division crown.  They took our hardware, IMHO.  But…and this is key…we LET them do it.  If we get a shot at them on Sunday I hope we pound their arses.  But I suspect UVa will beat us to that privilege.

8153_virginia_cavaliers-alternate-1994Virginia Cavaliers

2013: 3-0 vs The Pack

45-9 (22-8 ACC, 2nd Coastal, #3 overall seed, Rank #5, RPI #3)

I told you way back before they swept us in late March that they were good.  Most of you didn’t believe me.  Can you hear me now?  Closed the season by winning their series in Chapel Hill.  One of the best three teams in the country IMHO.  If we manage to get to Sunday, we’ll likely have to go thru the Cavs to get to the trophy.

VTLogoVirginia Tech Hokies

2013: 0-3 vs The Pack

35-19 (15-14 ACC, 3rd Coastal, #6 overall seed, Rank #21, RPI #15)

VT is one of those teams like Miami.  Jeckyl and Hyde, though maybe not to the same degree.  The best of the rest in a top heavy ACC Coastal division.  Still a very good team.  But probably not good enough to get past both FSU and UVa.

GTLogoGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2013: 0-3 vs The Pack

33-23 (15-15 ACC, 4th ACC Coastal, #7 overall seed, Unranked, RPI #22)

The defending ACC Champs (they won it from the in #8 seed in 2012, for those that don’t remember).  Probably not enough pitching to withstand the rigors of UVa and FSU, but one never knows.  Swept by the Pack just over a month ago in Atlanta, so probably looking for some payback should both teams reach Sunday.

–

So, for those not paying close attention, all eight teams in this year’s ACC Tourney are in the top 25 of the current RPI, with #7 seed GT the lowest at #22.  That should make for  a heckuva weekend of baseball.

–
Schedule (road vs home)

5/22 Wednesday

  • 11am – GT vs FSU
  • 3pm – VT vs UVa
  • 7pm – Clemson vs NCSU

5/23 Thursday

  • 11am – UVa vs GT
  • 3pm – Miami vs UNC-CH
  • 7pm – FSU vs VT

5/24 Friday

  • 11am – NCSU vs Miami
  • 3pm – GT vs VT
  • 7pm – UNC-CH vs Clemson

5/25 Saturday

  • 11am – FSU vs UVa
  • 3pm – Miami vs Clemson
  • 7pm – UNC-CH vs NCSU

5/26 – Sunday – ACC Championship

  • 1pm – Pool A Winner vs Pool B Winner

–

Pack Pitching

As I surmised on the forums, it appears that we are looking at Saturday’s tilt vs Carolina as THE must win.  For those that missed my comments on the forums (shame on you, btw), even if we arrive on Saturday at 2-0 in our pool, we likely will still have to beat Carolina to advance due to tiebreakers.

At the same time, we can afford to go 1-1 in the first two vs Clemson and Miami, as long as we do beat Carolina on Saturday, again due to those pesky pool play tiebreakers.

Thus, I think this pitching schedule makes a boatload of sense.

  • Wednesday – Brad Stone vs Daniel Gossett (Clemson)
  • Friday – Logan Jernigan vs TBD (Miami)
  • Saturday – Carlos Rodon vs Hobbs Johnson (Carolina)

–

TV Coverage

All tournament games are scheduled to be streamed via ESPN3 (with blackouts if covered locally by RSN)

For the Pack’s games, the following is the best info I can find at this time regarding REAL TV coverage:

  • 5/22 Wednesday, 7pm – vs Clemson – FoxSportsSouth, Comcast Mid-Atlantic, Sun Sports, FoxSportsAZ (yay!)
  • 5/24 Friday, 11am – vs Miami – FoxSportsSouth, FoxSportsFla, Comcast Mid-Atlantic, FoxSportsAZ (yay again!)
  • 5/25 Saturday, 7pm – vs Carolina – FoxSportsSouth, FoxSportsFla, Comcast Mid-Atlantic (Looks like I’ll be ESPN3’ing that one with no FSNAZ…doh!!!)
  • 5/26 Sunday, 1pm – ACC Championship Game – ESPN2

–

Links/Info

2013 ACC Baseball Championship Home (TheACC.com)

Pack Set for ACC Tournament (GoPack.com)

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

–

Let’s Go Pack!!!  Bring Home Some Hardware!!!!

–

 

 

 

 

About Wufpacker

A 2nd generation alumnus and raised since birth to be irrationally dedicated to all things NC State. Class of '88 and '92.

ACC ACC Teams Baseball

219 Responses to 2013 ACC Baseball Tourney Preview

  1. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 8:10 PM #

    Is it wrong that I’m laughing my ass off at Armstrong not being able to round first? The phrase “Went down in a heap” comes to mind.

    😀

  2. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 8:11 PM #

    I think maybe Turner heard ya DBP.

  3. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 8:14 PM #

    Nice heads up baserunning by Armstrong to make up for his aforementioned lack of coordination while rounding first.

    Pack takes a 2-1 lead.

  4. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 8:25 PM #

    Mr. Clyde came to play tonight. Heckuva play over there at the corner.

  5. TheCOWDOG 05/22/2013 at 8:42 PM #

    You two need to get a room.

    The boys need to be a bit more patient with that jackshit 4 seamer.

  6. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 8:56 PM #

    Rut Roh.

    Clemson has ’em loaded with nobody away in the 6th.

    I suspect we won’t be as fortunate as FSU was this past weekend. Frigging Tigger sons uh bitches.

    Stone getting a shower? Yep, Easley coming on.

  7. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:03 PM #

    Double play, but run scores to make it 2-2.

    Good trade all things considered.

    Sasser warming.

  8. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:06 PM #

    Easley gets out of it with only one run crossing. Not too bad.

    2-2 headed to bottom 6th.

  9. Gowolves 05/22/2013 at 9:12 PM #

    Yeah they were fortunate to get out with only allowing one run.

  10. TheCOWDOG 05/22/2013 at 9:14 PM #

    Boys need to freaking show some patience on that jackshit four seamer.

  11. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:17 PM #

    Easley with a strong 7th.

    2-2 headed into the stretch.

  12. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:24 PM #

    Way to stand in there and take one Jakie. Armstrong HBP, Pack has a li’l something going in the 7th with two on and nobody away.

    Ratledge due up

    Who promptly drops a bunt down, Adametz forced at 3rd. Two on with one away now.

  13. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:26 PM #

    Wild pitch moves Armstrong and Ratledge both into scoring position. Then Turner Walks to load ’em. Fincher steps in.

  14. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:29 PM #

    Fincher singles thru the left side to score Armstrong, throw gets away from cutoff man, Ratledge scores.

    4-2 Pack. 2nd and 3rd still with one away.

  15. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:31 PM #

    Austin hits a gapper scoring both Turner and Fincher.

    6-2 Pack, Austin on 2nd, still only one away.

  16. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:37 PM #

    New pitcher for Clemson is Patrick Andrews.

    Senay flies out to right-center, then Clyde grounds out to short to end it.

    Pack picks up 4 though and lead it 6-2 at the end of 7.

  17. Dr. BadgerPack 05/22/2013 at 9:37 PM #

    6-2 lead, and the liberty to use the full bullpen with an off day tomorrow- don’t f&#! around

  18. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:44 PM #

    With a little help from a double play ball, Easley sits ’em down in order in the Tig’s 8th.

  19. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:49 PM #

    I feel like I’m watching Tim Wakefield with Clemson’s Andrews.

  20. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:51 PM #

    Still 6-2 going to the 9th. Clemson down to their last 3.

  21. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:53 PM #

    Easley still on the hill to start the top 9th.

  22. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 9:56 PM #

    Solo shot by Tig’s Boulware makes it 6-3. He knocked the shit outta that ball. Might be time to let Mr. Easley rest.

    1 away btw.

  23. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 10:00 PM #

    Tigs down to their last strike………….

    And Josh gets ’em swinging.

    Pack wins 6-2

    🙂

  24. Dr. BadgerPack 05/22/2013 at 10:02 PM #

    Didn’t even need to dig deep into the pen. Ideal opening game in a tourney situation. Expect Stone to get the ball in game 1 of the regional unless we face a righty-laden offense.

  25. Wufpacker 05/22/2013 at 10:05 PM #

    Yep, couldn’t have scripted that one much better.

1 2 3 4 … 9

Leave a Reply