Opening day is just a week away. TCI continues our preseason coverage with a quick look around the ACC as we head into the 2017 season.
Boston College
2016 Review
Record: 35-22 (13-15, 5th Atlantic)
NCAA: Coral Gables Super Regional
Rank: #16 BA, #16 CB, #15 D1, #21 USA
2017 Outlook
The Eagles, who were picked to finish tied for sixth in the Atlantic Division, are coming off of their first Super Regional appearance in 2016. Boston College lost two veteran pitchers from last year’s staff but return several veteran offensive pieces that could again lead them to challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tournament again.
Clemson
2016 Review
Record: 44-20 (16-14, 4th Atlantic)
NCAA: Clemson Regional
Rank: #17 BA, #18 CB, #18 D1, #15 USA
2017 Outlook
The Tigers, who were picked to finish third in the Atlantic Division and received one vote for overall champion, look to build off last season’s ACC Tournament Championship. Clemson, ranked as high as #10 in the preseason, return several key pieces from last season’s team and aim to make a deeper run in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
Duke
2016 Review
Record: 33-24 (14-15, 3rd Coastal)
NCAA: Columbia Regional
Rank: NR
2017 Outlook
The Blue Devils, who were picked to finish fifth in the Coastal Division, made their first NCAA appearance since 1961 last season. Duke must replace their top four starting pitchers from 2016, but will rely on a veteran offense as they aim to make back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament.
Florida State
2016 Review
Record: 41-22 (16-10, 2nd Atlantic)
NCAA: Gainesville Super Regional
Rank: #13 BA, #14 CB, #14 D1, #13 USA
2017 Outlook
The Seminoles, who were picked to win the Atlantic Division and as overall ACC Champions (10 votes), made their 39th straight NCAA Tournament appearance last year but fell in the Super Regionals. Florida State, ranked as high as #2 in the preseason, return all three starting pitchers and six position starters as they look to give Mike Martin his first national title.
Georgia Tech
2016 Review
Record: 38-25 (13-16, 4th Coastal)
NCAA: Gainesville Regional
Rank: NR
2017 Outlook
The Yellow Jackets, who were picked to finish fourth in the Coastal Division, struggled with injuries last year but still made their annual appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Georgia Tech, ranked as high as #21 in the preseason, should have a deeper pitching staff this season and return seven starters in the field as they should again have a power offense that carries them back to the NCAA Tournament.
Louisville
2016 Review
Record: 50-14 (22-8, 1st Atlantic)
NCAA: Louisville Super Regional
Rank: #11 BA, #11 CB, #11 D1, #10 USA
2017 Outlook
The Cardinals, who were picked to finish second in the Atlantic Division and received one vote for overall champion, lost in dramatic fashion last year in the Super Regionals and look to bounce back this year. Louisville, ranked as high as #7 in the preseason, return two weekend starters and will rely on several veteran returners in the field as they look to return to Omaha for the first time since 2014.
Miami (FL)
2016 Review
Record: 50-14 (21-7, 1st Coastal)
NCAA: College World Series
Rank: #6 BA, #8 CB, #7 D1, #8 USA
2017 Outlook
The Hurricanes, who were picked to finish third in the Coastal Division, made their 25th College World Series last season. Miami (FL), ranked as high as #8 in the preseason, has some question marks going into the season after losing several key contributors from last year but have the talent to make their 45th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
NC State
2016 Review
Record: 38-22 (15-13, 3rd Atlantic)
NCAA: Raleigh Regional
Rank: #25 BA, #20 CB, #17 D1, #20 USA
2017 Outlook
The Wolfpack, who were picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division and received one vote for overall champion, ended last season with a home loss to eventual National Champion Coastal Carolina. NC State, ranked as high as #6 in the preseason, return six position players and several quality pitchers to a team that should be on a mission to return to Omaha after losing ninth inning leads in back-to-back regional title games.
North Carolina
2016 Review
Record: 34-21 (13-17, 5th Coastal)
NCAA: N/A
Rank: NR
2017 Outlook
The Tar Heels, who were picked to win the Coastal Division and received one vote for overall champion, fell just short of the ACC Tournament last season and have missed back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. North Carolina, ranked as high as #9 in the preseason, bring back seven position players and two weekend starters as part of the best pitching staff in the ACC as they look to break their mini NCAA Tournament drought.
Notre Dame
2016 Review
Record: 27-27 (11-17, 7th Atlantic)
NCAA: N/A
Rank: NR
2017 Outlook
The Fighting Irish, who were picked to finish tied for sixth in the Atlantic Division, stumbled to a last place finish in the Atlantic last year a season after finishing second in the division and making the NCAA Tournament in 2015. Notre Dame lost their top three hitters (and three of four starting infielders) from last year but return some nice arms on the mound as they try to climb back into postseason contention in 2017.
Pittsburgh
2016 Review
Record: 25-26 (10-18, 6th Coastal)
NCAA: N/A
Rank: NR
2017 Outlook
The Panthers, who were picked to finish seventh in the Coastal Division, were a scrappy team and tough out last season despite missing the ACC Tournament. Pittsburgh lost several key players from last season and will more than likely take a step back this year as they are expected to start at least four true freshmen in the lineup in 2017.
Virginia
2016 Review
Record: 36-22 (19-11, 2nd Coastal)
NCAA: Charlottesville Regional
Rank: #21 BA, #17 CB, #21 D1, #22 USA
2017 Outlook
The Cavaliers, who were picked to finish second in the Coastal Division, made their 13th straight NCAA appearance but fell at home in the regional. Virginia, ranked as high as #16 in the preseason, returns the majority of their offensive lineup and look to bounce back from uncharacteristic struggles on the mound as they try to make another run at Omaha.
Virginia Tech
2016 Review
Record: 19-38 (6-24, 7th Coastal)
NCAA: N/A
Rank: NR
2017 Outlook
The Hokies, who were picked to finish sixth in the Coastal Division, had a tough campaign in 2016 as they finished with their fewest wins since 1974. Virginia Tech welcomes back seven position starters and will rely on two pitchers returning from injury to anchor a nice pitching staff as they try to put together their first winning season in four years.
Wake Forest
2016 Review
Record: 35-27 (13-17, 6th Atlantic)
NCAA: College Station Regional
Rank: NR
2017 Outlook
The Demon Deacons, who were picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic Division, made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years under Tom Walter in 2016. Wake Forest lost stud two-way player Will Craig, but staff ace Parker Dunshee elected to return along with a solid offensive lineup that could give them back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.