The ACC enters it fourth weekend of play with Georgia Tech and Miami (FL) headlining the weekend action. The other big series of the weekend is Virginia heading down to Chapel Hill to take on North Carolina. The rest of action sees Clemson going to Boston College, Florida State visiting Maryland, Virginia Tech at NC State, and Wake Forest at Duke.
Georgia Tech at Miami (FL)
Georgia Tech heads down to Miami (FL) for a huge series between the number 3 ranked Yellow Jackets and the number 2 ranked Miami Hurricanes. Georgia Tech enters the weekend with a 16-3 overall record and 6-1 in the ACC. They are led on the mound by Deck McGuire who is a perfect 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA. He has been outstanding with his control as he has struck out 41 batters while only walking nine. The top hitter right now is freshman Tony Plagman who is hitting .387 with seven homers and 25 RBI. He was named the ACC Player of the Week after hitting .667 last week.
Miami (FL) enters the weekend as the number 2 ranked squad according to the NCBWA. They have an overall record of 19-5 while having a 7-2 mark in ACC play. Scott Lawson has been the top hitter for the Canes with his .352 average in his 23 games he has appeared in. Chris Hernandez entered the season as the top starting pitcher but has a 2-1 record with a 4.76 ERA. David Gutierrez has become the most consistent starting pitcher with a 2-1 record and an ERA of 0.88.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday: RHP Deck McGuire (4-0, 1.87) vs. LHP Chris Hernandez (2-1, 4.76)
Saturday: RHP Zach Von Tersch vs. RHP David Gutierrez (2-1, 0.88)
Sunday: RHP Kevin Jacob vs. LHP Iden Nazario (2-0, 6.14)
Brian’s Prediction: GT takes 2 out of 3.
Colin’s Prediction: GT 2 out of 3
Georgia Tech Series Notes
Miami (FL) Series Notes
Virginia at North Carolina
The Virginia Cavaliers enter the weekend with a 21-2 overall record and 5-2 in the ACC. They are led on offense by Dan Grovatt who is hitting .414 on the year. Freshman Danny Hultzen has been the best pitcher for the Cavs with a perfect 5-0 record and an ERA of 1.69. North Carolina enters the weekend with a 18-5 and 5-3 in ACC play. The top hitters for the Tar Heels have been Dustin Ackley (.416) and Kyle Seager (.407). Alex White entered the season as the number 1 starter for North Carolina but has an ERA of 4.45 while being 4-0. Adam Warren has been the most consistent with a 3-1 record and a 2.17 ERA.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Fri. – LHP Danny Hultzen (5-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. RHP Alex White (4-0, 4.45 ERA)
Sat. – RHP Andrew Carraway (3-0, 1.93 ERA) vs. RHP Adam Warren (3-1, 2.17 ERA)
Sun. – RHP Will Roberts (2-0, 3.15 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Harvey (3-1, 4.88 ERA)
Brian’s Prediction: UNC takes 2 out of 3 games.
Colin’s Prediction: UNC takes 2 out of 3 games.
Virginia Series Notes
UNC Series Notes
Clemson at Boston College
The Clemson Tigers head north to take on the Boston College Eagles. Clemson enters the series with an overall record of 16-6 with a record of 5-4 in the ACC. The Tigers are led on offense by Ben Paulsen who is hitting .372 with a team leading four homers and 20 RBI. Freshman Chris Dwyer has stepped in the number 1 starter role where he has succeeded with a 2-0 record with a 2.63 ERA. Boston College enters the weekend with a 14-7 record and 4-3 in ACC play which is good enough for first place in the Atlantic Division. BC’s top hitter this season has been Tony Sanchez who leads the team with a .398 average and five homers and 22 RBI. J.B. McDonald has become the Boston College ace as he enters the series with a 2-2 record and an ERA of 2.41.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday: Chris Dwyer LHP Fr. 2-0 2.63 vs J.B. MacDonald RHP Sr. 2-2 2.41
Saturday: Casey Harman LHP So. 2-1 2.31 vs John Leonard RHP So. 1-0 6.16
Sunday: Graham Stoneburner RHP So. 2-2 3.57 vs Mike Dennhardt RHP Fr. 2-0 8.10
Brian’s Prediction: Clemson sweeps the road series
Colin’s Prediction: Clemson takes two out of three games.
Clemson Series Notes
BC Series Notes
Florida State at Maryland
The Florida State Seminoles head to College Park Maryland to take on the Maryland Terps in a key ACC matchup. FSU enters the series with an overall record of 13-8 and 3-4 in ACC play. FSU has struggled in many areas of the game but two players have stood out in Tyler Holt and Sean Gilmartin. Holt is batting .476 with three homers and 14 RBI. Sean Gilmartin heads into the weekend with a 4-1 record and a 2.81 ERA. Maryland enters the weekend with a record of 11-12 with a 3-6 in ACC play. The Maryland offense is led by A.J. Cesario who has a .365 average with three homers and 16 RBI. Matt Fullerton has been the best starting pitcher for the Terps with a 2-1 record and an ERA of 4.19.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Mar. 27 FSU – LHP – Sean Gilmartin (4-1, 2.87 ERA) vs LHP Matt Fullerton (2-1, 4.19 ERA) 7:00 p.m.
Mar. 28 FSU – LHP – Brian Busch (0-1, 2.81 ERA) vs RHP Scott Swinson (1-3, 4.60 ERA) 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 29 FSU – RHP – Mike McGee (1-1, 4.19 ERA) vs LHP Eric Potter (2-1, 4.35 ERA)
Brian’s Prediction: FSU takes 2 out of 3 games.
Colin’s Prediction: FSU sweep over the Terps
FSU Series Notes
Maryland Series Notes
Virginia Tech at NC State
The Virginia Tech Hokies head to Raleigh NC to take on the NC State Wolfpack. VT has an overall record of 14-8 while being 2-6 in ACC play. The top hitter for VT has been Steve Domencus who is hitting .424 with three homers and 26 RBI. Freshman Matthew Price has been the top starting pitcher with a 2-1 record and a 2.38 ERA. NC State enters the weekend with a 13-11 overall record while being 3-6 in ACC play. The Wolfpack have struggled at the plate with the top hitter in Dallas Poulk having a .293 batting average. San Buchanan has been the best starting pitcher with a 2-2 record and a 3.06 ERA.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday: Jimmy Gillheeney (3-1, 3.18) vs Rhett Ballard (3-1, 3.82)
Saturday: Jake Buchanan (2-2, 3.06) vs Mathew Price (2-1, 2.38)
Sunday: TBA vs TBA
Brian’s Prediction: NC State takes 2 out of 3 games.
Colin’s Prediction: NC State takes 2 out of 3 games.
NC State Series Notes
Virginia Tech Series Notes
Wake Forest at Duke
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons head down the road for a three game set against the Duke Blue Devils. The Deacons are 11-10 overall while struggling with a 1-8 record in the conference. The top hitter for Wake Forest has been Dustin Hood who has a .341 average on the year. Brad Kledznik has been the top starting pitcher as he sports a 1-3 with a 6.29 ERA. Duke on the other hand is 16-7 while being 4-4 in the ACC. The top hitter for the Blue Devils heading into the weekend is Alex Hassan who comes in with a .447 average. Andrew Wolcott leads the pitching staff at 4-0 with a 1.27 ERA.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday (7:00 p.m.) RHP Brad Kledzik (Sr., 1-3, 6.29) vs. LHP Christopher Manno (Jr., 1-3, 7.40)
Saturday (1:00 p.m.) RHP Phil Negus (Jr., 1-2, 7.06) vs. RHP Andrew Wolcott (Sr., 4-0, 1.27)
Sunday (1:00 p.m.) TBA vs. RHP Ryan Knott (So., 2-0, 4.91)
Brian’s Prediction:Duke sweeps the Deacons.
Colin’s Prediction: Duke takes 2 out of 3 games.
Wake Forest Series Notes
Duke Series Notes
