ACC Play Begins

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Lance Roffers

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This weekend starts the beginning of conference play for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. Last year, after a difficult non-conference performance the Hurricanes rebounded to play fairly well in ACC play. They're hoping for a repeat of that this year as they have gotten off to a 5-7 start with losses to teams such as Rutgers, Maine, FIU, and FAU.

Notre Dame comes into the series with the Canes having only played nine games due to weather issues with some of their games. Notre Dame got their season off to an excellent start by taking two of three from LSU to begin the campaign. Dropping the first game in heartbreaking fashion, as they led the Tigers 6-0 heading into the bottom of the 6th before losing 7-6.

Notre Dame has some solid wins over LSU (x2), Seton Hall, Saint Louis, and Purdue and have an overall record of 6-4 with losses to Seattle, LSU, Purdue, and Incarnate Word.

As a team they are hitting .300/.412/.414 for a wOBA of .391. That wOBA is good for 6th in the ACC to this point, with the average being .368 for ACC teams. On the mound, Notre Dame has a 4.91 ERA with a FIP of 5.36.

Notre Dame does not have a strong starting staff, as their primary starting pitchers have averaged 3.7 innings pitched per start. They do have a fairly strong bullpen, as their second and third leading pitchers from an innings standpoint pitch out of the bullpen and have been quite effective (both with 2.19 ER's in 12.3 innings pitched).

Expect Scott Tully to get the start on Friday, he has a 4.05 ERA in 13.3 IP, allowing 8 hits, 6 ER, 12 BB/11K. The key against him will be to remain patient and punish mistakes. He went five shutout against LSU before tiring in the 6th.

Cameron Junker is the Saturday guy most likely. It will be critical to punish fastballs in the zone against him. He is 0-1 in three starts with a 6.52 ERA in 9.67 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB/11K.

Sunday will most likely see Tommy Sheehan get the start. He is 1-0 in three starts, with a 7.15 ERA in 11.3 IP, 11 H, 9 ER, 13 BB/6K. 13 walks in 11 innings with only 6 K's means this is a pitcher we must make throw strikes.

Cole Kemit, Andrew Belcik, and Zack Martin are pitchers they like to use in multiple inning relief appearances to great success. They do not have a designated "closer" but rather allow pitchers who are faring well to finish out games.

Notre Dame is potent in their lineup and look to outscore their opponents with a lineup who puts out there a solid hitter at almost every spot.

Expect a competitive series in this one, and I predict the Canes to take two of three at home.
 
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This weekend starts the beginning of conference play for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. Last year, after a difficult non-conference performance the Hurricanes rebounded to play fairly well in ACC play. They're hoping for a repeat of that this year as they have gotten off to a 5-7 start with losses to teams such as Rutgers, Maine, FIU, and FAU.

Notre Dame comes into the series with the Canes having only played nine games due to weather issues with some of their games. Notre Dame got their season off to an excellent start by taking two of three from LSU to begin the campaign. Dropping the first game in heartbreaking fashion, as they led the Tigers 6-0 heading into the bottom of the 6th before losing 7-6.

Notre Dame has some solid wins over LSU (x2), Seton Hall, Saint Louis, and Purdue and have an overall record of 6-4 with losses to Seattle, LSU, Purdue, and Incarnate Word.

As a team they are hitting .300/.412/.414 for a wOBA of .391. That wOBA is good for 6th in the ACC to this point, with the average being .368 for ACC teams. On the mound, Notre Dame has a 4.91 ERA with a FIP of 5.36.

Notre Dame does not have a strong starting staff, as their primary starting pitchers have averaged 3.7 innings pitched per start. They do have a fairly strong bullpen, as their second and third leading pitchers from an innings standpoint pitch out of the bullpen and have been quite effective (both with 2.19 ER's in 12.3 innings pitched).

Expect Scott Tully to get the start on Friday, he has a 4.05 ERA in 13.3 IP, allowing 8 hits, 6 ER, 12 BB/11K. The key against him will be to remain patient and punish mistakes. He went five shutout against LSU before tiring in the 6th.

Cameron Junker is the Saturday guy most likely. It will be critical to punish fastballs in the zone against him. He is 0-1 in three starts with a 6.52 ERA in 9.67 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB/11K.

Sunday will most likely see Tommy Sheehan get the start. He is 1-0 in three starts, with a 7.15 ERA in 11.3 IP, 11 H, 9 ER, 13 BB/6K. 13 walks in 11 innings with only 6 K's means this is a pitcher we must make throw strikes.

Cole Kemit, Andrew Belcik, and Zack Martin are pitchers they like to use in multiple inning relief appearances to great success. They do not have a designated "closer" but rather allow pitchers who are faring well to finish out games.

Notre Dame is potent in their lineup and look to outscore their opponents with a lineup who puts out there a solid hitter at almost every spot.

Expect a competitive series in this one, and I predict the Canes to take two of three at home.
Let's see if the Canes bring their bats this weekend. Not much has changed thus far. Maybe even gotten worse. 14 strikeouts against FIU!!!! That's striking out over 1/2 of the game!!!! You can't beat anyone striking out at that rate.

Given ND's strength on offense, it will be interesting to see if the pitching staff can limit their run production and whether the offense can score enough runs.
 
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