With the calendar turning into May, all eyes are on the baseball postseason, including the ACC baseball tournament, which is rapidly approaching.
Only two conference series remain, with teams like North Carolina and Georgia Tech likely set to take the top two seeds and the double byes. But behind them, there is a race for the rest of the first round byes, with Florida State, Miami, and Virginia in play.
It’s all to play for, so how does that impact the ACC baseball power rankings? Let’s take a look.
1. North Carolina
Record: 37-9-1 (17-7 ACC)
Up next: Pitt
Last week: 1
What to know: An unorthodox weekend of just one game played, a blowout of Duke, keeps North Carolina top in the power rankings, but Georgia Tech leads the Tar Heels in the race for the top overall seed in the ACC tournament play.
2. Georgia Tech
Record: 39-8 (19-5 ACC)
Up next: Duke
Last week: 2
What to know: The Yellow Jackets handled a non-conference weekend against Xavier, and now eye the top-seed in the ACC tournament, which can come into clear view with a big weekend series vs. Duke.
3. Florida State
Record: 33-14 (15-9 ACC)
Up next: Clemson
Last week: 4
What to know: A sweep of visiting Pitt was anchored by some stellar pitching from Wes Mendes and a big weekend for freshman John Stuetzer, who knocked in six runs.
4. Boston College
Record: 35-16 (17-10 ACC)
Up next: NJIT – Non-conference
Last week: 3
What to know: After a game one victory over Clemson, Boston College seemed destined for another series win, but the Tigers clawed back and got timely hits off a strong Eagles pitching staff to win.
5. Virginia
Record: 32-16 (12-12 ACC)
Up next: Cal
Last week: 6
What to know: An easy weekend win over Radford tees up an important weekend series against Cal for the Cavaliers, who can solidify a case for a bye in the ACC tournament.
6. Miami
Record: 33-14 (13-11 ACC)
Up next: Louisville
Last week: 5
What to know: Without Daniel Cuvet, the Hurricanes’ offense keeps firing; however, the bullpen pitching continues to allow teams back into games. It happened vs. NC State, and it could cost Miami a chance to host a regional.
7. Wake Forest
Record: 32-17 (14-13 ACC)
Up next: Western California – Non-conference
Last week: 10
What to know: With an emphatic sweep over Louisville, Wake Forest is in the top eight of the conference standings and could earn an ACC tournament first-round bye.
8. Virginia Tech
Record: 25-21 (13-14 ACC)
Up next: UNCG – Non-conference
Last week: 8
What to know: Few teams are as hot as Virginia Tech in the ACC right now, with the Hokies 7-3 in the last 10 games and fresh off a series win over Cal.
9. Pitt
Record: 28-18 (10-14 ACC)
Up next: North Carolina
Last week: 7
What to know: Things never got going for Pitt against Florida State, and after being swept by the Seminoles, a first-round bye in the ACC tournament is fading from the Panthers ‘ grasp.
10. North Carolina State
Record: 30-17 (12-12 ACC)
Up next: Stanford
Last week: 12
What to know: The Wolfpack outmuscled the Hurricanes to claim a crucial series win during a special weekend for head coach Elliott Avent, who recorded his 1,100th win on his 70th birthday.
11. Duke
Record: 23-24 (9-15 ACC)
Up next: Georgia Tech
Last week: 11
What to know: The Blue Devils lost to North Carolina in a single-game showdown over the weekend, and NCAA tournament hopes in Durham now hinge on a miraculous run in the ACC tournament.
12. Louisville
Record: 26-22 (10-14 ACC)
Up next: Miami
Last week: 9
What to know: It’s a shame that Louisville hasn’t been able to get wins as consistently as Tague Davis hits home runs, up to 30 this season, as the Cardinal need to stun the league and win the ACC to get into the NCAA tournament.
13. Clemson
Record: 28-20 (8-16 ACC)
Up next: Florida State
Last week: 16
What to know: It’s not been the season anyone wanted in Clemson orange, but a ranked series win over Boston College will give the Tigers a boost.
14. Notre Dame
Record: 24-20 (11-16 ACC)
Up next: Oakland – Non-conference
Last week: 15
What to know: A 34-run weekend for the Irish in a sweep over Stanford is a nice feather in the cap for a Notre Dame team that has had a roller-coaster season.
15. Stanford
Record: 22-22 (10-14 ACC)
Up next: NC State
Last week: 13
What to know: A week after sweeping Florida State, Stanford was swept by Notre Dame. The whiplash of ACC play.
16. Cal
Record: 24-23 (8-16 ACC)
Up next: Virginia
Last week: 14
What to know: It’s been a tough year for the Golden Bears, who dropped another series, this time to Virginia Tech.
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: UNC remains top in updated ACC baseball power rankings
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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