Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

When the Terrapin baseball team takes the field against Wake Forest today, it will be playing a team it almost certainly must beat for a spot in the ACC tournament.

Only teams with the best eight conference records make it to Jacksonville, Fla., for the tournament in May. And with heavyweights North Carolina, Clemson and Virginia still remaining on their schedule, the Terps realize this weekend's series is critical.

"It's going to be between us and them for that sixth, seventh [or] eighth spot in the ACC tournament," senior infielder Joe Palumbo said. "We gotta go down there and win two out of three without a doubt, if not sweep them."

Wake Forest (9-5, 2-1 ACC) was picked to finish fourth in the ACC's Atlantic Division in this year's preseason coaches poll, a position in the standings the Terps are shooting for.

"Traditionally it's been Wake Forest and us and a couple other teams fighting for that last spot. That's definitely in the back of our minds," senior closer Brad Taylor said. "But we treat every game like it's the same."

The Demon Deacons are coming off a series win against No. 26 Clemson last weekend and a 15-12 win over Charlotte on Wednesday, in which they rallied from down 10-1 in the fifth inning.

Wake Forest is led by junior first baseman Allan Dykstra, one of the top power hitters in the nation. The 6-foot-5 Dykstra tied for the ACC lead in home runs last season with 18 and drove in 60 RBIs.

"They've got a great program down there and they've had a great program for a number of years," said coach Terry Rupp, who has a 5-18 career record against Wake Forest. "It's going to be tough down there. Anytime you play on the road in this conference it's going to be a dogfight."

If they lose that dogfight this weekend, the Terps will face an uphill battle in the conference rankings. If they play well, the Terps could set up a season that finishes in Jacksonville, or even a trip to the NCAA Regional Tournament.

"These games are so important to us," Palumbo said. "If we can get a little edge going into the rest of the ACC season than I think things will go our way for the remainder of the year."

akrautdbk@gmail.com

Article Tools