The ACC enters the stretch run this weekend as there are only four series left for each squad. The big series of the weekend sees the Virginia Tech Hokies heading down to Georgia Tech. The other two ACC series with ranked teams facing off are Miami (FL) visiting Florida State and UNC at Clemson. Maryland hosts Virginia, Boston College heads to NC State, and Duke heading to Wake Forest.
#28 Virginia Tech at #3 Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech heads down the Atlanta this weekend to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Virginia Tech enters with a 26-13 overall record while being 9-9 in ACC play. Virginia Tech enters this weekend on a two game winning streak as they salvaged the final game of their series against Virginia and picked up a mid-week victory over Radford by a score of 16-6. The top hitter this season for the Hokies has been Austin Wates who enters this weekend with a .404 average with four homers and 31 RBI. Jesse Hahn has been the top pitcher this season for VT as he is 5-2 with a 2.81 ERA.
Georgia Tech enters the weekend with a 33-5 overall record while being 15-3 in ACC play. They are currently on a six game winning streak dating back to April 11th when they lost to Virginia. They are led on offense by Thomas Nichols who is hititng .421 with seven homers and driving in 30 runs. The top pitcher this season for the Yellow Jackets has been Deck McGuire who is 5-2 with a 2.84 ERA in nine appearances including two complete games.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday, April 23 (7 p.m.) – Russ Chandler Stadium
Georgia Tech – Deck McGuire, Jr., RHP (5-2, 2.84 ERA, 68 K’s)
Virginia Tech – Justin Wright, Jr., LHP (4-3, 3.88 ERA, 48 K’s)
Saturday, April 24 (4 p.m.) – Russ Chandler Stadium
Georgia Tech – Brandon Cumpton, Jr., RHP (6-0, 5.44 ERA, 31 K’s)
Virginia Tech – Mathew Price, So., RHP (4-3, 5.94 ERA, 41 K’s)
Sunday, April 25 (1 p.m.) – Russ Chandler Stadium
Georgia Tech – Jed Bradley, So., LHP (5-2, 3.83 ERA, 62 K’s)
Virginia Tech – Jesse Hahn, Jr., RHP (5-2, 2.81 ERA, 64 K’s)
Predictions
Brian Foley: GT 2-1
Kyle Tait: GT sweep
Skip McCarty: GT 2-1
Virginia Tech Series Notes
GT Series Notes
#4 Virginia at Maryland
Virginia enter their series against Maryland this weekend with a 31-9 overall record while being 12-6 in the ACC. They are lead on offense by Keith Werman who is hitting .463 in 29 games this season while stealing eight bases. Danny Hultzen has been leading the staff this season with a 5-1 record and a 2.10 ERA in nine starts. Maryland enters with a 15-25 record while being 4-14 in the ACC. Brandon Padula leads the Maryland offense with a .396 average while hitting 3 homers and 29 RBI. Brett Harman has been the number 1 pitcher this season for the Terps as he is 4-5 with a 4.58 ERA on the year.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Friday (3:00/Game 1): RHP Brett Harman (4-5, 4.38) vs. LHP Danny Hultzen (5-1, 2.10)
Friday (TBA/Game 2): LHP Eric Potter (2-6, 6.60) vs. RHP Robert Morey (5-2, 4.17)
Saturday (1:00): RHP Sander Beck (0-6, 7.93) vs. RHP Cody Winiarski (4-0, 4.47)
Predictions
Brian Foley: UVA 3-0
Kyle Tait: Virginia sweep
Skip McCarty: UVA sweep
Virginia Series Notes
Maryland Series Notes
#13 Miami (FL) at #10 Florida State
Miami heads to instate rival Florida State in one of the most heated college baseball rivalries in the country. Miami enters with a 28-9 overall record while being 14-4 in the ACC. Miami’s top hitter is Yasmani Grandal who is hitting .429 with nine homers and 45 RBI. Daniel Miranda has been outstanding out of the bullpen for teh Hurricanes as he has a record of 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 20 appearances. Florida State’s offense is led by Tyler Holt who has a .375 average with nine homers and 33 RBI. Sean Gilmartin leads the rotation with a 6-2 record and a 3.09 ERA in nine starts.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
GAME 38: FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 6 p.m.
FSU – LHP Sean Gilmartin (6-2, 3.09) @ MIAMI – LHP Chris Hernandez (5-2, 3.29)
GAME 39: SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1 p.m.
FSU – LHP Brian Busch (4-0, 2.55) @ MIAMI – LHP Eric Erickson (4-1, 2.51)
GAME 40: SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 11 a.m.
FSU – RHP Scott Sitz (3-0, 1.69) @ MIAMI – RHP Jason Santana (3-2, 5.05)
Predictions
Brian Foley: Miami 2-1
Kyle Tait: Miami 2-1
Skip McCarty: FSU 2-1
Miami Series Notes
FSU Series Notes
#29 North Carolina at #24 Clemson
North Carolina heads down to South Carolina to take on the Clemson Tigers. North Carolina enters with a 23-16 overall record while being 6-12 in the ACC. They come into the game after defeating Davidson 13-0 in midweek action. They have been led on offense by Jesse Wierzbicki who is hitting .353 with seven homers and 41 RBI. Matt Harvey leads them on the mound with a 4-2 record and a 2.59 ERA. Clemson enters with a 24-14 overall record while being 10-8 in ACC play. They are led on offense by John Hinson who is hitting .376 with eight homers and 43 RBI. Kyle Parker is second on the team with a .372 average with 15 homers and 40 RBI.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Fri. 6:30 p.m. UNC Matt Harvey, RHP vs CU Casey Harman, LHP
Sat. 11 a.m. UNC Chris Munnelly, RHP vs CU Scott Weismann, RHP
Sun. 1 p.m. UNC Patrick Johnson, RHP vs CU Dominic Leone, RHP
Predictions
Brian Foley: Clemson 2-1
Kyle Tait: Clemson 2-1
Skip McCarty: Clemson 2-1
UNC Series Notes
Clemson Series Notes
Boston College at NC State
Boston College head down to North Carolina State to take on the Wolfpack in a key matchup between two schools that both need conference wins. BC enters with a 20-17 overall record while being 9-9 in the ACC. Robbie Anston leads the offensive attack with a .351 average while hitting a homer and driving in 19 runs. Pat Dean has been the number 1 throughout the season as he is 5-0 with a 3.06 ERA. NC State enters with a 26-13 overall while also being 9-9 in the ACC. They are on a four game winning streak after sweeping Maryland last weekend and beating East Carolina in mid-week action. They are led on offense by Kyle Wilson who is hitting .398 with five homers and driving in 23 runs. Jake Buchanan has had the most success on the hill with a 4-3 record and a 4.01 ERA.
Friday: LHP Pat Dean (5-0, 3.06) vs. RHP Jake Buchanan (4-3, 4.01)
Saturday: RHP Mike Dennhardt (3-5, 6.75) vs. RHP Cory Mazzoni (5-2, 4.80)
Sunday: RHP John Leonard (2-0, 1.46) vs. LHP Alex Sogard (0-0, 4.88)
Predictions
Brian Foley: NC State 3-0
Kyle Tait: NC State 2-1
Skip McCarty: NC State 2-1
Boston College Series Notes
NC State Series Notes
Duke at Wake Forest
The Duke Blue Devils make the short trip to Wake Forest this weekend. Duke enters with a 22-16 overall record while being 6-12 in ACC play while Wake Forest enters with a 10-30 record while being a disappointing 2-16 in conference play. Duke is led on offense by Will Currier who is hitting .326 with eight homers and 23 RBI. Chase Bebout leads the rotation with a 4-1 record with a 3.72 ERA on the year. Steven Brooks leads the Wake Forest attack with a .338 average while driving in 23 runs. Freshman Tim Cooney has been the most consistent starter as he is 3-3 with a 4.45 ERA.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, April 23 (6 p.m.)
Duke Starter: Marcus Stroman, RHP (4-1, 4.34 ERA)
Wake Forest Starter: Tim Cooney, LHP (3-3, 4.45 ERA)
Saturday, April 24 (6 p.m.)
Duke Starter: Chase Bebout, RHP (4-1, 3.72 ERA)
Wake Forest Starter: Austin Stadler, LHP (1-3, 6.88 ERA)
Sunday, April 25 (1 p.m.)
Duke Starter: Dennis O’Grady, RHP (0-2, 4.68 ERA)
Wake Forest Starter: Michael Dimock, RHP (1-7, 6.88 ERA)
Predictions
Brian Foley: Duke 3-0
Kyle Tait: Duke sweep
Skip McCarty: Duke 2-1
Duke Series Notes
Wake Forest Series Notes
