Weekend Preview: ACC Super Powers Clash

Teddy Cahill and Michael Lananna each break down three of the biggest storylines going into this weekend’s action.

No. 6 Clemson at No. 3 North Carolina: One of three Top 10 battles in the country this weekend, Clemson–UNC is a clash of two ACC super powers. The Tar Heels are in the driver’s seat in the Coastal Division, up four games over second-place Virginia, and after this weekend, UNC’s remaining schedule doesn’t include a team whose RPI ranks above 120. The Tar Heels have yet to lose an ACC series, and at 33-9 overall and at No. 3 in the RPI, they’re a relative lock for a national seed.

Clemson, meanwhile, is one spot ahead in the RPI at No. 2 and is chasing Louisville in the Atlantic Division. The Tigers still have a series remaining against the Cardinals and will have the chance to control their fate over the season’s last remaining games. This weekend, the Tigers will face the toughest pitching staff they’ve seen since the South Carolina series, headlined by hard-throwing UNC ace J.B. Bukauskas and precocious freshman righthander Luca Dalatri. But the Tigers have been pitching well in their own right, with ace Charlie Barnes drawing draft buzz and righthander Alex Eubanks coming off a shutout of a potent Wake Forest offense.

— Michael Lananna

Auburn, Mississippi State battle for SEC West lead: Another week, another series for Auburn against one of the top teams in the tightly packed Southeastern Conference West race. After winning a series at home against Arkansas last week, No. 5 Auburn (30-13, 12-6) this weekend travels to first-place Mississippi State (29-14, 13-5). The eighth-ranked Bulldogs are coming off a sweep of Alabama, and hold a one-game lead on the Tigers and Razorbacks in the standings.

Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State are an unlikely trio at the top of the West Division. Arkansas and Auburn had the two worst records in the SEC last year, while Mississippi State has endured a myriad of injuries this spring, leaving it with about two dozen available players.

Despite being banged up the Bulldogs have kept winning. They are 13-2 in the last five conference weekends, the best record in the SEC. First baseman Brent Rooker leads Mississippi State and is hitting .403/.505/.893 with 17 home runs and 16 stolen bases this season. Auburn has mostly relied on its strong rotation this season, but its offense broke out last week and the Tigers scored 29 runs against the Razorbacks. If they are able to produce like that again this weekend, they could finish the series in first place in the conference.

— Teddy Cahill

T6: Like we were saying, @nico_hoerner. Pretty good #GoStanford https://t.co/4zEZSkLFFY

— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) April 23, 2017

No. 13 Arizona at No. 18 Stanford: Arizona vs. Stanford features two teams who are trending in opposite directions. Arizona, which at one point ranked No. 2 in RPI, has slid to No. 9 after getting swept by Utah for the second straight year. Stanford, on the other hand, is coming off an impressive sweep on the road at Oregon and the Cardinal could enter the hosting picture as its RPI continues to creep up (now at No. 18).

The series this weekend could potentially decide who hosts a regional out of the Pac-12. At 8-7 and 9-9, respectively, Stanford and Arizona rank fourth and sixth in the conference standings—both teams could benefit from a big series win. For the Wildcats, the key players to watch are first baseman J.J. Matijevic, freshman stud Nick Quintana and center fielder Jared Olivia. For Stanford, the key could be reliever Colton Hock, as he’s called on often to quash rallies out of the bullpen.

— Michael Lananna

TCU, Texas Tech set for Big 12 showdown: A year ago, Texas Tech traveled to Texas Christian with a chance to solidify its lead atop the Big 12 Conference. The Red Raiders did just that, winning the series en route to their first regular-season conference championship since 1997. This weekend, TCU has a chance to return the favor.

The fourth-ranked Horned Frogs (30-9, 11-4) travel to Lubbock with a two-game lead on No. 7 Texas Tech (33-11, 9-6) and No. 25 West Virginia in the Big 12 standings. There are only two conference series left on the schedule following this one, so if the Red Raiders are to make a move, it likely will have to start this weekend. In addition to fighting for the regular-season title, both teams are also jockeying for position in the national seed race.

— Teddy Cahill

Luke Borders on tonight’s win and his 3-for-5 effort. pic.twitter.com/YjVHLwXHo6

— USF Baseball (@USFBaseball) April 22, 2017

Player to Watch: Luke Borders, c, South Florida. Every series is important in the highly competitive American Athletic Conference, and this weekend will be no different as No. 20 Houston (27-13, 8-4), which is tied for first place, travels to South Florida (32-8, 7-5), which is just a game off the pace. The Cougars pitching staff will have to contend with Borders, the son of former major leaguer Pat Borders, who is coming off a big week at the plate and has played a critical role for the Bulls all season. Borders is hitting .358/.430/.560 with six home runs, and leads the conference with a .451 batting average in AAC play.

— Teddy Cahill

Congrats to Darren McCaughan on winning @BigWestBaseball Pitcher of the Week following his shutout of UCI! #GoBeach https://t.co/52CqvJXuxf

— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) April 24, 2017

Player to Watch: Darren McCaughan, rhp, Long Beach State. Few Friday starters in the country are throwing as well as McCaughan has over the last couple of weeks. The junior, who is 5-2, 2.53 overall, is coming off a three-hit shutout at UC Irvine—his second straight complete-game effort and third of the season. Facing a 12-20 UC Davis team this weekend, McCaughan could be primed for another stellar performance on the mound.

— Michael Lananna

Off the Wall

Florida International started the season 2-6 under new head coach Mervyl Melendez, but has turned things around and is 25-17 going into this weekend series at rival Florida Atlantic. The Panthers have won four of their last five Conference USA series and are in fifth place in the league, two games behind the Owls (26-13-1), who are tied for second.

Redshirt junior first baseman J.C. Escarra has played a key role for the Panthers and is hitting .312/.405/.584 with a team-high eight home runs this season. Baseball America caught up Escarra to talk about the Panthers’ strong run and upcoming series.

What’s been the key for the team’s recent hot streak?

“I think it’s just playing more as a team. With new coaches and new players at the start of the season, it’s hard to have that chemistry. You know, for baseball, it’s all about chemistry at the end of the day. So as we get closer with each other and learn more about each other, we play better on the field, and it shows. I think that’s a really important aspect of what we’re doing right now.”

What has coach Melendez brought to the team?

“He just brought accountability, respect, respecting one another, knowing your part, doing your job. It’s all about doing your job. Everybody does their job and at the end of the day you’re going to win games. You’ve just got to be where your feet are. Do what your job is and we’ll be all right.”

What’s your favorite part of playing FAU?

“I’m friends with most of those guys. I played high school ball with their catcher and first baseman, so it’s just a fun time to play some of my former teammates. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

What are you working on this season?

“Just staying loose at the plate. sometimes I get tight when the pressure is on, but once I stay loose everyone slows down. The game that everyone talks about being so fast slows down for me and I’m able to do my job and get things done.”

What’s your go-to order at Chipotle?

“It’s not on the menu, it’s on the hidden menu that they don’t give. It’s called a “quesarito.” They put cheese in between two tortillas, then you design your own burrito inside of that. So it’s a huge quesadilla/burrito that I get there. I’m a big guy so it fills me up real well. I go half chicken, half steak.”

— Teddy Cahill

Top 25 Series (Where to Watch)

Southern California at (1) Oregon State (Streamed on osubeavers.com)

Toledo at (2) Louisville (ESPN3)

(6) Clemson at (3) North Carolina (ESPN3)

(4) Texas Christian at (7) Texas Tech (Friday on FS1, Saturday and Sunday on ESPNU)

(5) Auburn at (8) Mississippi State (ESPN3)

(9) Long Beach State at UC Davis (BigWest.TV)

(10) Kentucky at South Carolina (ESPN3)

(11) Florida at Georgia (ESPN3)

(12) Virginia at Florida State (ESPN3)

(13) Arizona at (18) Stanford (Pac-12 Network)