2013 ACC Baseball Tourney Preview

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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)

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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

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Links/Info

2013 ACC Baseball Championship Home (TheACC.com)

Pack Set for ACC Tournament (GoPack.com)

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

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

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About Wufpacker

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

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219 Responses to 2013 ACC Baseball Tourney Preview

  1. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 8:57 PM #

    Double play gets the ‘Noles out of it, but Hokies get 2 and lead 2-0 going to the 8th.

  2. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:00 PM #

    ‘stick, go back to the Duke preview…I gave you a little shout out in that one. 😀

  3. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:09 PM #

    FSU threatens but VT gets out of it. Still 2-0 going to bottom 8th.

  4. vtpackfan 05/23/2013 at 9:10 PM #

    No serious hate for Clemp, they just don’t do land grant ala NCSU and VPI. I mean, $h^t, it’s South Cacalacky.

    Props to Wulf, Cow and Dr. for keeping these threads juiced. I’m the most narcissistic know-it-all for all things Baseball (Ken Burns you shine my shoes), but you three humble me for sure.

    Props out especially to Coaches Hart and Ward. This was a tough nut to crack early in the season at the plate and in the field. Throw out the preseason hype (ok, if you’re for real WPN than you do this autopilot). The work replacing the bats and gloves from last years team should be commended. Holliday had a lot to work with and he’s got the guru status so I will just tip the cap his way.

  5. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:20 PM #

    Nice of you to say vt, but the props must go to DBP and Cowdog. I don’t know shit and am more quantity vs quality.

    Love the game, baseball version of a gym rat no doubt, and still learn something new every time I watch a game (which is one of the things I love about baseball really).

    But those two guys…they are the men amongst boys around here.

  6. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:21 PM #

    VT still up 2-0 going to the 9th. FSU down to their last three.

    Wondering when folks are gonna stop testing Winston’s arm.

  7. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:22 PM #

    Leadoff double for FSU, this could get interesting.

  8. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:23 PM #

    Helluva play be VT’s Pinder at short…keeps McGhee at 2nd and still gets the runner at 1st while falling away from the play.

    That could be the play that wins it for VT.

    EDIT – My mistake, McGhee did take 3rd after the throw.

    And then scores on an RBI double by Smit.

    VT making a pitching change. One down, FSU’s Smit on 2nd, VT still clinging to a 2-1 lead.

  9. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:28 PM #

    Labitan the new VT pitcher.

    Pinch hit RBI single by FSU’s Delph (batting for Winston) ties it at 2.

    Then fielder’s choice (missed tag on double play ball) leaves Delph safe at second with 2 out.

  10. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:33 PM #

    Bleeder to 2nd ends it. Headed to bottom 9th, now tied at 2.

  11. Pack78 05/23/2013 at 9:37 PM #

    Hokies! Pitcher knew it right away-did not even watch the ball fly into the stands…

  12. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:38 PM #

    Zagunis absolutely effing crushes the ball, depositing it over the left field fence.

    VT walks off, wins 3-2.

    FSU out of it at 0-2.

    VT with the inside track to Sunday from their pool at 2-0 with only a 1-1 GT in their way.

  13. Gowolves 05/23/2013 at 9:39 PM #

    Ok I know baseball pretty well. Not enough though. This question may let you know I don’t know that much.

    What is the difference in a “hit and run” versus “run and hit”? I understand the second concept. Pretty basic. How does the hit and run work? Are they two different concepts or are they used inter-changeably?

    If they are two different concepts what scenario would you call one versus the other? Sorry for high jacking just curious. I always thought they were one in the same

  14. Wufpacker 05/23/2013 at 9:41 PM #

    BTW, this is where the weird tiebreakers COULD come into play.

    if VT wins, they’re in.

    But if they lose to GT, and UVa beats FSU, then there’s a three way tie and UVa moves on despite having lost to VT.

  15. blpack 05/23/2013 at 9:42 PM #

    Wow, FSU sure has messed up this week. Doesn’t look like a national seed to me.

  16. GAWolf 05/23/2013 at 9:44 PM #

    Ahahahahaha. After watching Smith and Sitz yuck it up during our game for the cameras, it’s hard to feel sorry for Smith giving up the walk off.

  17. treznor 05/23/2013 at 11:14 PM #

    Gowolves: The ‘hit-and-run’ is almost certainly the play you are thinking of, even though the run comes before the hit. In the hit-and-run, the baserunner is stealing and the hitter needs to try and make contact unless the pitch is horribly thrown. The run-and-hit might as well just be called a steal. The hitter may not even know that it was called. In the run-and-hit the hitter basically bats just like normal, isn’t required to try and make contact, but the baserunner is stealing.

  18. Dr. BadgerPack 05/24/2013 at 4:18 AM #

    Gowolves- The hit-and-run is a signaled play from the dugout. The batter swings at the pitch no matter what- it’s required, unless it is in the dirt. The idea is to have 2B or SS to go in motion and create a hole for the hitter.

  19. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 6:57 AM #

    Tournament Reset: (Team : Record : Opponents Remaining)

    Pool A
    Carolina : 1-0 : Clemson, NCSU
    NCSU : 1-0 : Miami, Carolina
    Clemson : 0-1 : Carolina, Miami
    Miami : 0-1 : NCSU, Clemson

    Pool B
    VT : 2-0 : GT
    UVa : 1-1 : FSU
    GT : 1-1 : VT
    FSU : 0-2 : UVa

  20. mak4dpak 05/24/2013 at 9:02 AM #

    Checked several times for a blog/article on the State/Clemson game, but only here under the acc tourney preview. Hope the team at least gets one today after defeating Miami, if not live for the game in a few hours. Go Pack!

  21. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 10:20 AM #

    We’ll see how it goes. After sitting at my keyboard and giving live updates on most games for hours upon hours (while trying but failing to get anything accomplished in my real life I might add), it’s hard to justify spending another hour+ penning an article that few will bother to read.

    Just saying.

    EDIT – Oh, and you can like us on facebook and get some content there that doesn’t appear here as well.

  22. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 10:46 AM #

    Pack will be the road team today, btw.

  23. TheCOWDOG 05/24/2013 at 10:53 AM #

    If I may add one little caveat to the ” run and hit ” expression, ( that’s all it is…an expression) if I’m thrown out trying to swipe a bag, and my teammie took the pitch ANYWHERE CLOSE to the strike zone …He’s gonna get a cock-eyed little stare.

    Rule #6. Protect the runner.

  24. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 11:02 AM #

    Bonner is wrong btw.

    FSU’s RPI is down to #8

    EDIT – That being said, even losing to UVa isn’t likely to drop it further, thus the Pack needs to take care of their own business to get past them and have any hope for national seed consideration.

  25. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 11:12 AM #

    Pack goes down in order top 1st.

1 2 3 4 5 6 … 9

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