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. redwolf92 05/24/2013 at 12:19 PM #

    Go Pack! Hold on and win this while Im floating in the air at 37k ft. Stewardess is giving the dirty look…so bye

  2. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 12:25 PM #

    Jernigan suddenly finds his control, sits the ‘Canes in order in the 4th.

  3. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 12:30 PM #

    @redwolf92…slap her on the ass and tell her to make you a sandwich.

    (I’m just kidding, you get put in airport jail for that shit these days).

  4. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 12:39 PM #

    Clyde and Williams both walk with 2 down, then Adametz singles to right, scoring Clyde. 5-1, men on the corners with two away. Another good play by Miami’s Hernandez forces Adametz at 2nd, but Pack adds another in the 5th.

    Now lead 5-1.

  5. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 12:43 PM #

    Jernigan back out on the hill to start the 5th. 4 pitch walk to start things.

    Ball 8 gets him the hook.

    Woeck heads to the mound with two on and none away.

  6. maverick_ncsu 05/24/2013 at 12:48 PM #

    Just wanted to say again…from a guy that’s stuck at his desk on this beautiful Friday afternoon, thank you for continuing to update us on the action.

  7. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 12:52 PM #

    Pack just a hair from a triple play.

    Clyde gets the unassisted force at third, then doubles them with a turn to 2nd, but the turn to first is a half step late.

    Miami with a man on first with two away now.

    Pop in foul territory, Clyde secures it, Miami comes up empty.

    If I was in Durham right now I might run on the field and give Woeck a big sloppy kiss.

    Still 5-1

  8. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 12:56 PM #

    Ratledge leads off the 6th with a single to left.

  9. BJD95 05/24/2013 at 12:57 PM #

    Hat tip to Bonner for rightfully plugging us for a national seed. No question it’s deserved.

  10. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 12:59 PM #

    Chopper to third with 3B in gives Turner another infield hit, 2 on nobody out. Fincher moves them both over with a sac bunt.

  11. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:02 PM #

    Sac fly by Austin to right scores Ratledge. Turner to 3rd.

    Senay Ks swinging to end it, but the Pack extends a little further.

    6-1, mid 6th.

  12. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:08 PM #

    Clyde with a great catch in foul territory at the Miami dugout..1 away.

  13. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:12 PM #

    Is it me or has a fairly liberal strike zone to start the game seemingly narrowed considerably in the past couple innings?

  14. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:15 PM #

    ‘Canes get a two out walk, but nothing more.

    6-1 going to the 7th.

  15. ncst8zr1 05/24/2013 at 1:16 PM #

    I really appreciate these comments. I read them while sitting in a courthouse conference room waiting to testify at a trial.in Jacksonville, FL. Thanks for allowing me to keep up with the good news. GO PACK!

  16. Gowolves 05/24/2013 at 1:19 PM #

    When I was a kid I used to keep score of the braves games all the time. That was when TBS showed all the games. Early eighties. Love doing that. As Keith Oberman(don’t like him but loved him on SC) would “if you are scoring at home or just by yourself” what is the best App for scoring baseball game? I tried one but didn’t like it.

  17. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:21 PM #

    2 out single thru the left side by Adametz.

    And Bonner still needs to update his RPI knowledge.

  18. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:23 PM #

    Gowolves, didn’t even know there was such an animal (app for scoring a game). A pencil and a scorebook is the only way to fly. 🙂

  19. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:23 PM #

    Pack strands Adametz at first, but still 6-1 going to the stretch.

  20. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:27 PM #

    Helluva catch by Adametz in left as he does his best Brett Williams impersonation to start things off in the ‘Canes’ 7th.

  21. Gowolves 05/24/2013 at 1:27 PM #

    I agree with the old school method but wanted to try it. I have seen iPads used in the MLB dugouts. But don’t know the apps they use.

    Side note nice freaking catch!

  22. MrPlywood 05/24/2013 at 1:29 PM #

    For those at their desks, here’s a good gametracker (the link is to the right under the matchup listing):

    http://www.theacc.com/championships/acc-baseball-championship.html?page=13-acc-base-friday.html

  23. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:31 PM #

    Miami goes in order, 6-1 headed to the 8th.

    Lotsa red in the stands today by the way. It looks good 🙂

  24. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:33 PM #

    They’re lobbying hard for us for that national seed. Gotta love it.

  25. Wufpacker 05/24/2013 at 1:35 PM #

    Leadoff walk to Ratledge starts off the Pack 8th, he steals 2nd after a Turner strikeout to give the Pack a man on 2nd with one away.

    Fincher Ks for the 2nd out (he’s having a tough day so far) then Austin grounds out.

    Mid 8th, Pack still leads 6-1

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