ACC Snapshot
While most of the 10 positions were accounted for entering Saturday’s final games of the 2016 regular season, the standings did see some shuffling, with one team being shuffled out of the mix. Miami earned the overall No. 1 seed for the tournament after a win in game two over Florida State, dropping Louisville back to the No. 2 seed.
The Cardinals ended the season with a sweep of Wake Forest, who backed into the field for the first time since 2010. The Deacs needed a tremendous amount of help to get into the field and the stars aligned perfectly in the final day. Boston College took both games in the twin bill over Georgia Tech, ultimately forcing UNC out of the final spot after they fell to N.C. State Saturday afternoon.
The Heels will miss the ACC Championship for the first time since 2010 and Wake Forest’s three-game sweep became the deciding factor in the two programs locked at 13-17 in conference play.
Duke was the biggest mover of the weekend after taking both games over Pitt in a rain-shortened series in the Steel City. The Blue Devils secured the No. 7 seed and will battle Wake Forest in a win or go home format. The Demon Deacons took 2-of-3 from the Devils earlier this season in Winston-Salem, including a 12-0 dismantling in game one.
FINAL 2016 ACC STANDINGS
1. Miami 21-7
2. Louisville 22-8
3. Virginia 19-11
4. FSU 16-10
5. NC State 15-13
6. Clemson 16-14
7. Duke 14-15
8. Georgia Tech 13-16
9. Boston College 13-15
10. Wake Forest 13-17
11. UNC 13-17
12. Notre Dame 11-17
13. Pitt 10-18
14. VT 6-24
(BOLD- Clinched to CUSA CHAMPIONSHIP)
What They Said
“This was not the day we wanted. It’s a disappointing way to end the regular season. In the first game, we did walk too many batters and gave them some easier chances to score. We couldn’t keep them from scoring. In the second game, we had missed opportunities time and time again. We had the guys at the plate we wanted (with runners on), but we couldn’t do it enough time times to beat them.” – Georgia Tech Head Coach Danny Hall on his squad’s loss to Boston College.
“Really great job by Jack [Labosky]. Really had to grind there. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy in the ninth. You knew they [Pitt} were going to make a run. Very, very proud of our club.” –Duke Head Coach Chris Pollard said after Friday night’s win over Pitt.
“I don’t even think we think about that. I just know that whenever we’re playing each other, we always know it’s going to be a good one. It’s a rivalry – it doesn’t matter when we play.” –Hurricanes’ slugger Willie Abreu on the Miami and Florida State series.
Looking Ahead
The ACC Championship kicks off Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the first of two play-in games before moving to pool play Wednesday through Saturday. No. 7 Duke squares off with No. 10 Wake Forest followed by No. 8 Boston College and No. 9 Georgia Tech in a rematch of the regular season finale. Each winner will advance to pool play in their respective pools.
Pool A
#1 Miami
#4 Florida State
#5 NC State
#8 BC or #9 GT
Pool B
#2 Louisville
#3 Virginia
#6 Clemson
#7 Duke or #10 Wake Forest
Once pool play begins Wednesday, each team will play the members of their pool, with the team holding the best record from each pool advancing the finals Sunday at Noon. The game can be seen on ESPN2.
