NCAA Tournament: ACC Recap Day 3

After a much more impressive Day 2, the ACC was looking to continue its winning ways on Sunday and maybe even punch a few tickets to the Super Regionals. Some teams came through while some are going to be scratching their heads for months or years to come.

Louisville 8 - Xavier 7
In a truly back and forth affair, the Cardinals emerged victorious to go 3-0 and win their 5th straight regional title. Louisville was not getting much out of their staff until they turned to Lincoln Henzman with one out in the 7th. Henzman kept Xavier off the basepaths entirely over the final 2.2 innings to secure the victory and earn his 3rd win of the season in the process.
Next game: vs. Winner of Kentucky-NC State

Wake Forest 12 - West Virginia 9
The rest of college baseball got to see what the ACC already knew what Wake had in their launching pad of a band-box baseball park. Wake and WVU combined for 4 home runs yesterday alone. Wake put up 12 runs on 16 hits and 8 walks to earn their first super regional appearance since 1999. They’ll have to wait to see if they’ll be hosting Bethune-Cookman or traveling to Gainesville.
Next game: vs. Winner of Bethune-Cookman - Florida

Clemson 6 - UNC Greensboro 3
Clemson 6 - Vanderbilt 0
To say the Tigers have a mountain to climb might be an understatement. Vanderbilt entered the weekend as one of the best playing teams in the country and Clemson has to beat them twice. The Tigers got the first W Sunday night thanks to 10 hits and stellar pitching from Tyler Jackson who turned in a complete game, 2 hit shutout. The CG certainly helped Clemson’s pen get some rest so it will be interesting to see how much pitching they have left.
Next game: vs. Vanderbilt, 4 PM ET

Florida State 5 - Tennessee Tech 3
Florida State 8 - Auburn 7 (F/10)
The Noles were looking good entering the 9th of their nightcap against Auburn. A 6-4 lead look insurmountable as Auburn had not scored more than a single run in an inning all night. Until the 9th, when Auburn put on a comeback by scoring 3 runs, including two with two outs, to take a 7-6 lead. After some two magic of their own in the 9th to score the tying run, FSU would get more 2 out magic in the 10th with a walk off HBP to force a Game 7.
Next game: vs. Auburn, 7 PM ET

NC State 6 - Kentucky 8
The Wolfpack were able to hold off Kentucky on Saturday to a tune of a 5-4 victory, but did not quite have enough Sunday night. State shot themselves in the foot in a 4 run Kentucky 6th inning to give the Wildcats the lead they would not relinquish. NC State will get one more chance at Kentucky to night in hopes of advancing to their first Super Regional since 2013.
Next game: vs. Kentucky, 7 PM ET

No. 2 UNC 10 - Florida Gulf Coast 1
No. 2 UNC 1 - Davidson 2
Oh boy. I sat in silence after this game was over amazed at what Davidson was able to pull off. As a 4 seed, you are not supposed to win a game, let alone three. You’re not supposed to beat your in state big brother. And you are certainly not supposed to take out the No. 2 National Seed. Amazing.
Next game: TBA February, 2018