Week two (three for some) of ACC play is in the books and one thing is for certain; this league is loaded. With nine teams ranked in the Top 25, there are no weeks off, and if you do not have a short memory, you could end up on the wrong side of a lengthy losing streak.
Behind a Strong Pitching Weekend, No. 11 Miami Sweeps No. 13 North Carolina
In 32 innings, the Hurricanes pitching staff allowed just 10 runs against a Tar Heels offense that was scoring nearly 6.5 per game heading into the weekend. The three Miami starters allowed five earned runs in 15 innings of work, striking out 23 batters.
Yohandy Morales showed why he is one of the best hitters in the conference. Morales paced the Hurricanes offense with seven hits, six RBI’s, and one home run over the weekend.
After nine conference games, Miami and Virginia sit atop the ACC Coastal Division at 7-2.
No. 35 North Carolina State Bounces Back, Sweeps No. 18 Georgia Tech
After losing their first two ACC series, the Wolfpack took out their aggression on the Yellow Jackets, who have now lost five of their last six conference games.
Georgia Tech roughed up Sam Highfill, the Wolfpack Friday night starter, for six runs in four innings, but North Carolina State battled back, scoring the final seven runs of the game to take game one.
The Wolfpack used five home runs over the next two days to complete the sweep over the Yellow Jackets. Payton Green led the way with two home runs and six RBI’s of his own, the same amount as Georgia Tech totaled as a team.
Pittsburgh Stuns No. 24 Clemson
The Panthers entered the series with a record of 10-10 and 1-5 in the ACC, but came out with a huge series victory after winning both games on Friday. The two teams were unable to complete the series on Saturday and Sunday due to weather.
Pittsburgh dominated the first game of the double header 8-0 behind a strong performance by Matt Gilbertson, throwing seven shutout innings.
The Panthers scattered 17 hits in the second game, with Ron Washington Jr. homering for the second time in two games.
No. 10 Virginia Outduels No. 25 Wake Forest in Key Matchup
Brian O’Connor continues to prove why he is one of the top coaches in the entire country. Prior to the season, it appeared that the Cavaliers may take a step back this year, but that could not have been further from the truth.
Virginia improved to 22-2 (7-2 ACC) after taking two of three from the Demon Deacons. Virginia shut down one of the top offenses in the country, holding them to just two runs in the first two games of the series.
Alex Tappen led the potent Cavaliers offense with three home runs and six RBI, all of which came in the two victories. The Virginia offense is currently ranked top four in the country in batting average, runs, and home runs.
No. 6 Florida State Pitches Their Way to Series Win Over Duke
When Parker Messick and Bryce Hubbart are both on, it is going to be awfully difficult to beat the Seminoles in a three game series. The Friday and Saturday starters combined for 14 innings, allowing 12 hits, 2 runs, and amassing 18 strikeouts.
The Florida State offense flexed their muscles, launching six home runs against the Blue Devils. Jamie Ferrer led the way with two home runs and six RBI over the weekend, raising his batting average to .363.
The Seminoles have many doubters up to this point of the season, but they will have a chance to prove them wrong in the coming weeks. Their next four series are against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Clemson.
No. 14 Louisville Sweeps Boston College, Remains Unbeaten in ACC Play
In their first games away from Louisville since February 20th, the Cardinals took care of business against a struggling Eagles squad, outsourcing them 31-8. Due to his efforts, Ben Metzinger was named ACC Player of the Week, going 9-19 with eight runs and five RBI.
Although the Saturday game went into extra innings, Louisville pulled away in the 11th inning to win by four runs. Talk about potent offenses, the Cardinals are ranked top ten nationally in runs, batting average, and on base percentage.
Dan McDonnell’s club is able to light up the scoreboard, only time will tell how the bullpen will hold up as competition in the ACC increases. After a date with Pittsburgh this upcoming weekend, Louisville will go through a gauntlet of a schedule, starting with North Carolina, followed by a showdown in Tallahassee for bragging rights in the Atlantic Division.
Bad Weather Shortens Series, Virginia Tech Wins Lone Game Against No. 19 Notre Dame
The Irish have been on the wrong end of inclement weather to begin conference play, canceling three ACC games already this season. They also missed a mid-week game against Northwestern on Wednesday.
The Hokies doubled up the Irish in the lone game of the series, 10-5. Jack Hurley was the star of the show, smacking two home runs and three RBI for Virginia Tech. Hurley now leads the ACC with a .494 batting average and ranks fourth in the league with nine home runs.
Notre Dame should have fresh legs next weekend and they will need it, heading to Tallahassee in a battle of two teams that were favorites to sit atop the ACC Atlantic Division.
Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!
ความคิดเห็น