Baseball – Duke Rolls Into Raleigh

With less than a month to go in the 2016 regular season, Wolfpack Baseball (29-11, 10-6 ACC) has itself positioned pretty well as it rounds the back turn and approaches the stretch run.

But with Duke at home this weekend, followed by road trips to Clemson and Louisville, and home vs Carolina to close things out, there’s still work to be done.

Let’s (briefly) Talk Duke Baseball

The Duke Blue Devils (24-18, 9-12 ACC) have won 4 of their last five, including a series win on the road in Blacksburg at VT last weekend. And yeah, sure….it was VT, but it WAS on the road.

We don’t need to sweep Duke, but at home we better not lose this series if we hope to host a regional and/or garner a national seed.

They pitch fairly well and they’re solid defensively, but they don’t hit well. We match up well with Duke, FWIW.

Now, I don’t mean to sound as if I’m overlooking the Devils. They’re a solid club and they could easily derail our plans. In all seriousness, mostly, I’m being lazy. But seriously….2 out of 3 this weekend and I am a happy boy heading to Clemson next weekend.

Some NCAA Tourney/RPI/National Seed Discussion

State is currently #8 in the RPI rankings, against the 8th toughest schedule. They dropped from #6 last week after pounding on (then #289) NC A&T last weekend. As I mentioned in the comments of the previous baseball entry, one of the A&T games getting rained out was probably very helpful RPI wise.

Pack9 has twelve games left, all conference games. Nine of those games are against teams in the top 15 of the current RPI (at #11 Clemson x3, at #2 Louisville x3, vs #13 Carolina x3).

Then there’s Duke. Currently #56, Duke’s RPI is on the cusp of being significant for our post-season resume. They climbed eight spots this week to get to #56, and aside from this weekend against us, we need Duke to do well the rest of the year and get themselves into the top 50 if at all possible (just playing us should keep them fairly steady as the RPI numbers go….and as a general rule, we need everyone we’ve already played to do well, other than Coastal Carolina…more on that below).

Records against the RPI top 50 are often significant when two or more teams’ resumes are otherwise similar. Currently, the Pack has the best record in the country vs the RPI top 50 (14-6).

So, what will it take to get a national seed? Hard to say for sure because it’s dependent upon what other teams do of course. But win the Duke, Clemson and Carolina series, and don’t get swept at Louisville, and don’t go 0-fer in our pod in the ACC Tourney….and I’d expect we’d have a shot at a national seed.

Counterpoint – As things stand now, Louisville, Miami, and FSU are very well positioned for national seeds. At the same time, the SEC has four other national seeds all but locked up presuming all of their top teams (Florida, SCar, aTm, Ole Miss, MissSt, Vandy) don’t go down the drain in the next month. Sadly, this means that the Pack REALLY needs to distinguish itself from here on out, as the committee is unlikely to give national seeds to only two conferences unless they have to. While they claim to not look at conference affiliation, that’s crap.

There are also the issues of pairing regionals geographically, but I won’t get into that. Just realize that if we’re in the RPI 7 or lower (higher?) range, and teams like SCar, Vandy or Coastal Carolina are ahead of us, we’re screwed.

FWIW….National seed refers to the top 8 seeds of the NCAA Tourney. A national seed will host both the regionals and also the super regionals…presuming they don’t screw the pooch in the regionals. It’s a way easier path to Omaha than going on the road. As far as hosting a regional (top 16), Pack is safely in that range currently and will have to screw up very badly to fall out. Which isn’t impossible, FWIW.

(please don’t say #NCStateShit)

But yeah, the next four weekends are huge for ’16 NCSU Baseball.  You can be a hero….or you can be a zero.

Weekend Schedule vs Duke

  • Friday 4/29, 6:30pm – ESPN3
  • Saturday 4/30, 6:30pm
  • Sunday 5/1, 1pm – ESPN3

ACC Standings

Atlantic
Schools Conf W-L-T Conf PCT W-L-T PCT
Florida State 13-4-0 .765 28-11-0 .718
Louisville 14-7-0 .667 32-9-0 .780
NC State 10-6-0 .625 29-11-0 .725
Wake Forest 10-11-0 .476 27-17-0 .614
Notre Dame 9-10-0 .474 24-16-0 .600
Clemson 9-12-0 .429 26-14-0 .650
Boston College 7-12-0 .368 21-16-0 .568
Coastal
Schools Conf W-L-T Conf PCT W-L-T PCT
Miami 14-5-0 .737 30-8-0 .789
Virginia 12-10-0 .545 27-17-0 .614
Georgia Tech 10-10-0 .500 27-14-0 .659
Pitt 8-9-0 .471 21-14-0 .600
North Carolina 9-12-0 .429 28-15-0 .651
Duke 9-12-0 .429 24-18-0 .571
Virginia Tech 4-17-0 .190 14-28-0 .333

Elsewhere in the ACC this weekend:

  • FSU at Clemson (go Tiggs…now I feel sick)
  • VT at BC (who cares?)
  • UVa at Pitt (ditto)
  • St John’s at ‘Ville (again…who cares?)
  • Ohio U at ND (ibid)
  • FLA A&M at Miami(sheesh)
  • Coastal Carolina at GT (Go Jackets!!!)

Go Pack!!!!!

About Wufpacker

A 2nd generation alumnus and raised since birth to be irrationally dedicated to all things NC State. Class of '88 and '92.

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Home Forums Baseball – Duke Rolls Into Raleigh

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Viewing 25 posts - 26 through 50 (of 52 total)
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  • #103044
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    My boy, Jake Fincher, feels your pain Chops. Surgery after a beaning a few days ago.

    #103045
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    da Fuq did that happen? I been outta the loop apparently

    #103046
    Whiteshoes67
    Participant

    Sometimes you need the skip to make some good moves and help you win a game when the ball ain’t finding the holes. Tied 1-1, Bottom of 8, speed on first and nobody down, what do we do? We swing away. No runner in motion, no steal, no bunt. Then after a fly out, we run on what looked to be a delayed steal (and possibly a bad call) and get thrown out. 9 out of 10 amateur coaches bunt and get the runner in scoring position with a sure two chances because they half a brain.

    Question: if you’re in a sudden death game, who the heck is your 8 in the field and what is your batting order? If you can answer that question, then try sticking with those cards for more than one game.

    I needed a sweep this weekend. Had to put down my 14 year old dog yesterday.

    #103047
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Hey…I take a look at former Wolfcrackers about once a week, or so. Today was Jakester’s day.

    He took a high, hard one to the noggin in Az. Still with White Sox.

    #103048
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Aw, Shoes. My heart goes out, man…still in recovery mode, here from last week.

    ….Again. Pack baseball players are indeed…”The Fightin’ Edwin Moses’.”

    I am perpetuallyrics flummoxed by successful adventures.

    …So many hurdles.

    #103049
    choppack1
    Participant

    Dang – that stinks. I am glad he can smile after that…beanings can screw up your eyesight – which is kind of important in baseball.

    #103052
    Whiteshoes67
    Participant

    Didn’t fincher set a single season or career record for being hit by pitches? He who crowds plate need wear much body armor.

    D1baseball.com is solid for tracking games. It’s a little delayed.

    #103054
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Chops…one like that can screw up your psyche at the plate. Might even be worse than a one-eyed bandit approach.

    #103055
    choppack1
    Participant

    Absolutely cowdog. You gotta be a little crazy to play a lot of sports…and while fear of losing can be a great motivator, fear of injury, well like you said, that ain’t good.

    You can tell yourself just to focus, but sometimes the mind overrides. Hopefully, he will be able to overcome it…if he wants to.

    #103056
    PackerInRussia
    Participant

    Missed opportunities, missed opportunities, missed opportunities. I guess Duke had their missed opps, but managed to get ‘er done one time more than the Pack. The 8th inning was blown indeed.

    #103088
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    This week’s rankings…
    D1Baseball – #6
    USA Today and NCBWA both – #9
    RPI – #8

    Also…Evan Mendoza named ACC POW
    http://gopack.com/news/2016/5/2/baseball-mendoza-wins-player-of-the-week.aspx

    #103108
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    This week’s rankings…
    D1Baseball – #6
    USA Today and NCBWA both – #9
    RPI – #8

    Also…Evan Mendoza named ACC POW
    http://gopack.com/news/2016/5/2/baseball-mendoza-wins-player-of-the-week.aspx

    Always great to see a guy rise above the Mendoza Line.

    #103109
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Always great to see a guy rise above the Mendoza Line.

    I’ve resisted making that joke all year. I’m glad SOMEBODY finally did it.
    Sheeeesh…that was killing me.

    #103110
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    You’ve been released.

    …I mean relieved…

    Oh. None of that can come out right.

    #103114
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Both are possible simultaneously in the right…ummmm…atmosphere.

    #103115
    Gowolves
    Participant

    You’ve been released.

    …I mean relieved…

    Oh. None of that can come out right.

    I have thought about it all year. I am surprised it has taken this long to throw that out there. Reminds me of listening to the Braves back in the 80’s and 90’s. Loved Skip Carey and the puns and jokes he and PVW tossed around.

    #103120
    TheAliasTroll
    Participant

    Yow’s done a real fine job with the baseball squad, right guys!?!

    Seriously… the thread is two pages long and nary a mention of Yow. Contrast that to the basketball threads 8 pages long where she’s mentioned every 3rd post. Yikes-amondo!!!

    #103124
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Yow hasn’t done shi+ over here AT, except keep the idiot savant at the helm.

    We be diamond threaders, no mix and match. 🙂

    #103125
    choppack1
    Participant

    Is he related to the Mendoza for whom the term originated?

    Regarding the old Braves days, I remember Pete and Skip (or maybe it was Sutton and skip) talking about Raphael Belliard(who was from the Dominican Republic) and his propensity to swing at about every pitch…”no one walks off the island. “

    #103126
    TheCOWDOG
    Moderator

    Old days? Geezus. We talkin’ Milwaukee. King of beers.

    #103127
    choppack1
    Participant

    There old days and there are OLD DAYS …ahh, the beer with the taste for food.

    The Milwaukee Braves were before my time. As a tike, I had a poster of Hank Aaron’s record breaking home run (one of my most vivid dreams was when it came to life.) And I remember the “never say die Braves” well…guys like bob horner, Claudel Washington, Dale Murphy and the catcher (bruce Benedict?)

    #103128
    YogiNC
    Participant

    How about the Kansas City A’s CD? A dreadful team in KC that became a powerhouse in Oakland, even though Finley was a total prick.

    Smarter than the average bear

    #103129
    44rules
    Participant

    Who remembers Biff Pocoroba and Marty Perez?

    Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy. Mao Zedong

    #103130
    Gowolves
    Participant

    Who remembers Biff Pocoroba and Marty Perez?

    I do remember Pocaroba. He was the back up catcher to Bruce “eggs” Benedict from those early Braves teams. Still can name that entire starting nine for the Braves back then. I remember when they traded Butler the center fielder. I was a kid and bummed they traded him.

    #103131
    Gowolves
    Participant

    The Mad Hungarian. Who remembers that cat?

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