Tech Takes On UNC For The ACC Title
This time, the seeding committee got it right. On Sunday, Georgia Tech and North Carolina, the top two seeds in the ACC will meet to play for the crown .
Each team prevailed in Saturday's semifinals, and both won in workmanlike fashion, albeit by comfortable margins.
Tech beat Virginia 9-3, using a quality start by righthander Jackson Blakely, and the now - typical Tech power supplied by Ryan Zuckerman and Vahn Lackey. Lackey started the offense with a two- run homer in the first. Zuckerman extended the league with two bombs of his own. The Jackets were up 7-0 before Miami dented the scoreboard.
Later in the day, the Tar Heels routed Pitt 13-5, behind their own offensive barrage. They garnered 22 hits including six home runs.
It is statistically true that Georgia Tech has the most productive offense in the league. But UNC is right there, close and capable– as evidenced by the fact that the Tar Heels were the only team to take a series from Tech this year, winning two of three in Chapel Hill in mid- April.
The old saw in baseball is that momentum is all about tomorrow's pitcher. For Tech, righthander Carson Ballard will be on the hill. UNCs expected starter is Ryan Lynch.
Added to the scene is that each team is top- five ranked nationally, and accordingly, each team has longterm aspirations beyond this tournament. That said, there significance in winning a conference crown, and each team has an aggressive attitude toward winning wherever they play, whatever the stakes.
Game on in Charlotte on Sunday!
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports