Wake Forest Preview

Wake Forest Weekend: May 3rd – 5th

In the final ACC series of the season, the 22 ranked Hokies will play host to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Virginia Tech enters the series with a record of 33-19 (13-14 ACC) and having won 11 of their last 13 games, including back to back 7-6 victories over Marist last weekend. Wake Forest (28-25, 9-18 ACC) comes to Blacksburg after a midweek loss to Winthrop, despite taking two of three from a struggling Miami squad last weekend.

Virginia Tech has already secured their spot in the ACC Championship, but the seed is yet to be decided. Wake Forest is currently on the outside looking in, needing to take all three games from the Hokies and have Georgia Tech sweep Miami.

Thursday: May 16th
Game Time: 5:30
Probable Starters: Joe Mantiply (VT) vs. Justin Van Grouw (WF)

Friday: May 17th
Game Time: 5:30
Probable Starters: Devin Burke (VT) vs. Matt Pirro (WF)

Saturday: May 18th
Game Time: 2:00
Probable Starters: Brad Markey (VT) vs. Austin Stadler (WF)

Players to Watch:

VT-OF-Tyler Horan: Horan (.332/.377/.599) is coming off the best week of his career. In the Hokies’ last three games, Horan has gone 7 for 13 with 4 HR, 3 2B, and 9 RBI. Last week he was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week and is currently leading the team in average, hits, doubles, homeruns, total bases, and slugging percentage.

VT-P-Devin Burke: Burke (9-3, 3.44 IP) looks to continue his breakthrough season in the final regular season series of the year. Burke has had a little bit of trouble keeping the ball down in the zone, giving up a team high 20 doubles, but he has managed to keep runs off the board. Wake Forest is similar to Boston College in the fact that they don’t have very much power up and down the lineup, so this should play into Burke’s hand like it did last weekend.

WF-SS-Pat Blair: Blair (.284/.464/.426) is undoubtedly the leader of the Demon Deacons and has separated himself as one of the top shortstops in the ACC. He has the ability to beat you with his bat, his glove, and his speed, which should lead to an improved draft spot from last year (Astros 24th Round, 729th pick).

Prediction: Hokies will take two of three from the Demon Deacons.

I will be posting an ACC Championship Preview early next week once all of the seeding and matchup information has been released!