Pack smacks down Seminoles

Everyone knows by now, NC State stomped FSU 12-2 last night in what may turn out to be one of the biggest regular season single games in NCSU baseball history.

Notes: The win last night was the fourth straight game in which the Pack scored at least 12 runs. Did you hear that, AT LEAST 12 RUNS! Conversely, the opposition has scored only 17 runs in that span resulting in a 58-17 margin in those 4 games.

Barring a complete collapse in the ACCT, this may have all but secured our spot hosting a NCAA Regional. I think another win against FSU would certainly lock it up. Two losses would require a decent showing in the ACCT (meaning winning at least 1 game).

WARNING: Do not get too excited. We have done well late in the season in many recent seasons with not much to show for it!

2007: State takes 2 of 3 from Clemson. Goes 1-2 in ACCT. 1-2 in Regional.

2006: Take one of 3 vs FSU (lost one 11-10), go 3-2 in ACCT, 2-2 in Regional.

2005: Take 2 of 3 from FSU, 1-2 in ACCT, 1-2 in Regional.

2004: Take 2 of 3 from UNC, 1-2 in ACCT, 1-2 in Regional.

Just saying, we are having a really good season, but we’ve had similar or better regular seasons this decade only to come apart or get outplayed in the postseason.

From TheACC.com:

In what was probably the biggest game of the year to date, NC State didn’t come up big; the 18th-ranked Wolfpack came up huge. Matt Payne led a 14-hit attack with three hits and three RBIs, and Eric Surkamp and two relievers combined on a three-hitter to lead the Pack past third-ranked Florida State 12-2 at Dick Howser Stadium.
NC State, which scored in double figures for the fourth game in a row, limited Florida State to a season-low three hits and handed the Seminoles their most lopsided defeat of the season. The victory lifted the Wolfpack to 37-16 overall, and at 18-9 and in fourth place overall in the ACC, NC State sets a school record for conference victories. Combined with Miami’s 12-2 victory over North Carolina, the Wolfpack now is within two games of the third-place Tar Heels with two to play.
Furthermore, the game was a big boost to NC State’s bid to host an NCAA regional. The Wolfpack came into the game ranked 11th in the latest unofficial RPI ratings by WarrenNolan.com, while the Seminoles, who came into the game having won nine of their last 10 games, were third. NC State is now 3-3 against the top three teams in the RPI ratings: 1-2 vs. No. 1 Miami, 1-1 vs. No. 2 North Carolina and 1-0 vs. No. 3 Florida State.

Mid May update

I’ve been from NC to NY (or vice versa) 4 times in the past 2 weeks. Add to that a bachelor party to plan, wedding events in Southern Pines, etc, I just haven’t had time to post anything lately. The final move to NC will be June 1 so I hope to be back to normal blogging after that date.

Baseball: NCSU ranked #20 with a 35-16 record. Since I last wrote (the BC series) the Pack has generally taken care of business. If they could have won against UNCW (lost 3-2 in 11 innings) that would have been significant. Pitching has been solid. Hitting good. The past two games we outscored Maryland 29-9. Assuming we take care of NC A&T this afternoon, we will go into the FSU series at 36-16 (17-9).

State has locked up the #2 spot in the ACC Atlantic Division behind leader FSU and can finish no worse than 4th overall in the ACC. In other words, no matter what happens this weekend, NC State will have the #4 seed in the ACC Baseball Tournament. I’m basing this on my interpretation of the ACC rulebook:

The two division champions will automatically be seeded number one and two based on winning percentage in overall conference competition. The remaining teams will be seeded (three through eight) based on winning percentage in overall conference competition without regard to division.

I would also like to remind everyone of my independent pre-season prediction of a 37-19 overall record. Of course, the rained out UNC game throws the total off, but I could still come very close to hitting my projected regular season record.