The third weekend of ACC action kicks off this week with all twelve teams in action against conference foes. The North Carolina Tar Heels will host Duke, Miami (FL) heads to Virginia, Georgia Tech goes to Blacksburg to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies, Clemson is at Florida State, Boston College is at Maryland, and finally NC State heads to Wake Forest.
Duke (12-6, 3-3 ACC) at # 1 North Carolina (16-2, 4-1 ACC)
The top hitters for the Duke Blue Devils are Alex Hassan and Matt Williams. Hassan has a .452 average on the year while Williams has a .383 average while being second on the team with 18 RBI. Jeremy Gould (.355), Nate Freiman (.328), and Gabriel Saade (.323) are all competent hitters with averages above .300.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have clearly been the top team in the conference after the first two weekends sporting a 16-2 overall record and 4-1 in the ACC. The biggest factor in the Tar Heels strong start to the season is the balance of the team as they have a front line pitching staff with a more then competent pitching staff that sports two first rounders. The Tar Heels have a team batting average of .334 which is led by junior second baseman Kyle Seager who enters the weekend series with a .441 average. Sophomore Ben Bunting has been an early season surprise as he is hitting .423 after seeing reserve action in his freshman season. Dustin Ackley who is widely regarded as one of the top hitters in the country has a .412 average with five homers and 13 RBI. Junior Mark Fleury and freshman Levi Michael are tied for the team lead with 24 RBI on the year.
Probable Pitchers
Game 1 – Friday, March 20 (7 p.m.)
Duke Starter: Christopher Manno (1-2, 6.53 ERA)
UNC Starter: Alex White (3-0, 3.86 ERA)
Game 2 – Saturday, March 21 (2 p.m.)
Duke Starter: Andrew Wolcott (3-0, 1.27 ERA)
UNC Starter: Adam Warren (3-0, 1.93 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday, March 23 (1 p.m.)
Duke Starter: To Be Announced
UNC Starter: Matt Harvey (3-0, 2.70 ERA)
Brian’s Prediction: UNC sweeps Duke
Colin’s Prediction: UNC sweeps Duke
Vu’s Prediction: The Heels sweep the Devils.
Duke Series Notes
UNC Series Notes
# 4 Miami (FL) (16-3, 5-1 ACC) at #21 Virginia (18-0, 4-0 ACC)
Probable Pitchers
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 6 P.M.
MIAMI – LHP Chris Hernandez (2-0, 3.91 ERA) vs. UVa – LHP Danny Hultzen (4-0, 1.04 ERA)
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1 P.M.
MIAMI – RHP David Gutierrez (2-1, 0.72 ERA) vs. UVa – RHP Andrew Carraway (3-0, 1.27 ERA)
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 12 P.M.
MIAMI – LHP Iden Nazario (2-0, 6.27 ERA) vs. UVa – RHP Will Roberts (2-0, 2.81 ERA)
Brian’s Prediction: UVA takes 2 out of 3 games.
Colin’s Prediction: Miami takes two out of three games.
Vu’s Prediction: The Canes take two on the road.
Miami (FL) Series Notes
Virginia Series Notes
#5 Georgia Tech (14-1, 4-0 ACC) at Virginia Tech (12-6, 1-4 ACC)
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday: RHP Deck McGuire (4-0, 0.94) vs. RHP Rhett Ballard (3-1, 3.42)
Saturday: RHP Zach Von Tersch (4-0, 4.00) vs. LHP Justin Wright (1-1, 6.00)
Sunday: RHP Brandon Cumpton (0-0, 3.75) vs. RHP Matthew Price (1-1, 2.81)
Brian’s Prediction: GT sweeps Va Tech.
Colin’s Prediction: GT sweep
Vu’s Prediction: The Jackets sweep the Hokies.
GT Series Notes
Va Tech Series Notes
# 16 Clemson (13-4, 4-2 ACC) at #17 Florida State (9-7, 1-3 ACC)
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, March 20, – 6:00 p.m.
Florida State – LHP, Sean Gilmartin (3-1) vs. Clemson – RHP, Trey Delk (1-0)
Saturday, March 21 – 6:00 p.m.
Florida State – LHP, Brian Busch (0-1) vs. Clemson – LHP, Chris Dwyer (2-0)
Sunday, March 22 – 1:00 p.m.
Florida State – TBA vs. Clemson – TBA
Brian’s Prediction: Clemson continues to roll as they take two out of three games.
Colin’s Prediction: Clemson takes 2 out of 3 games.
Vu’s Prediction: The Noles take two out of three at home.
Clemson Series Notes
FSU Series Notes
Boston College (11-5, 2-2 ACC) at Maryland (9-9, 2-4 ACC)
Friday: RHP JB McDonald vs LHP Matt Fullerton
Saturday: RHP John Leonard vs RHP Scott Swinson
Sunday: RHP Mike Dennhardt vs LHP Eric Potter
Brian’s Prediction: BC sweeps Maryland
Colin’s Prediction: BC sweep
Vu’s Prediction: The Terps take two out of three from the Eagles.
BC Series Notes
Maryland Series Notes
NC State (10-9, 1-5 ACC) at Wake Forest (8-8, 0-6 ACC)
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, March 20
RHP Brad Kledzik (Sr., 1-3, 7.13) vs. LHP Jimmy Gillheeney (Jr., 3-0, 2.54)
Saturday, March 21
LHP Austin Stadler (Fr., 2-2, 3.32) vs. RHP Jake Buchanan (So., 1-2, 3.08)
Sunday, March 22
RHP Phil Negus (Jr., 1-1, 6.19) vs. TBA
Brian’s Prediction: NC State takes 2 out of 3 games.
Colin’s Prediction: NC State takes 2 out of 3 games.
Vu’s Prediction: The Wolfpack takes two from the Deacs.
NC State Series Notes
Wake Forest Series Notes
