Baseball starts key ACC series

Next-to-last in the Atlantic Division standings with an ACC record of 3-9, the Terrapin baseball team might seem doomed to another season without a conference tournament appearance.

But with a series win this weekend at Virginia Tech, the Terps could reverse their status from bottom-feeders to contenders in three short days.

That's because N.C. State and Wake Forest, two Atlantic Division squads with identical 5-6 records, play each other this weekend in a matchup that could lead to the Terps taking over, or coming within a game of, fourth place in the division.

The top eight teams in the conference make it to the ACC tournament and by Sunday night the Terps can be in a position to qualify for the first time since the current 12-team system was installed in 2006.

"Wake Forest and N.C. State have to play each other this weekend, and something's gotta happen there," coach Terry Rupp said. "We can jump up a spot and really help ourselves out. The way our division is right now it's up for grabs."

Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Hokies are 0-12 in the ACC, including a series sweep at the hands No. 12 Virginia in which they were outscored 21-4.

"We've played a lot of the really good teams in the conference so far, but hopefully we can take two or three from Virginia Tech," senior centerfielder Nick Jowers said. "We've had a lot of one-run games that could've gone our way and didn't, so hopefully the law of averages will even things out."

With conference heavyweights North Carolina, Florida State and Clemson already out of the way, the Terps' remaining ACC schedule is promising. Remaining conference opponents have a combined record of 27-43.

"We survived the first part of the schedule, but we need to start stringing some wins together," Rupp said. "That includes weekend games, because it's going to be important down the road, not only for getting to the ACC tournament but also for getting a regional bid."

Another factor in the Terps' favor is that, according to some players, the team is playing its best baseball of the season at the right time.

"I think we're taking steps in the right direction and that's all you can ask," senior second baseman Steve Braun said. "We're getting into the heart of the season and we're making strides. The bunts, pitching and defense are right there."

If Braun is right, and the Terps are "right there," the team could look back at this weekend's series in Blacksburg, Va., as the turning point of its season. If the Terps lose the series they will view it as an opportunity lost.

"We've had some tough luck in conference, but we have to continue to play well," Rupp said. "We're getting to the part of the schedule where we can make a run. If we do our business this weekend, we're in position."

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