The Virginia Tech preview is going to be short this week due to my time constraints and other FSU happenings. The Hokies have not made the ACC Tournament since it was condensed to 8 teams in 2006 but there are a few MLB prospects on their team that should be interesting to watch.
Pitching Preview:
As you can see by the above stats Virginia Tech ranks in the bottom half of every pitching category. Inside we highlight the projected starters:
Friday April 2nd - 6 PM - Tallahassee, FL - Radio: 1270 the Team/94.3 FM - GameTracker
Game 1 will feature FSU's lefty Sophomore Sean Gilmartin against Virginia Tech's lefty Junior Justin Wright.
Wright was a horse last year for VT starting 16 conference games and pitching 111 innings. After a bad outing against Maryland to start the2010 ACC season Wright has had to solid performances against a good Clemson team and then threw a complete game 4 hit shutout against Wake Forest last weekend. By now we should know what to expect of Gilmartin and he should have very little problem going deep into the game.
Saturday April 3rd- 6 PM - Tallahassee, FL - Radio: 100.7 FM - GameTracker
Game 2 will star Junior lefty John Gast against Junior righty Jesse Hahn.
Hahn has been excellent for the Hokies in his 3 ACC starts this season allowing only 5 earnrd runs while striking out 17 and walking 5 in 17 innings pitched. So far in his 3 starts in ACC play John Gast has been less than desirable having only pitched no more than 4 1/3 innings in any start. This matchup seems to favor VT.
Sunday April 3rd- 1 PM - Tallahassee, FL - Radio: 100.7 FM - TV: Fox Sports Florida - GameTracker
It is unknown at this point who will pitch game 3 for either teams. FSU has the option of pitching Geoff Parker or they could spot start Scantling or Benincasa. Virginia Tech has used the combination of Joe Mantiply and Matthew Price, unfortunately for FSU Price is the better pitcher and will be the probable starter since Mantiply threw 56 pitches in 3+ innings this past Wednesday.
Offensive Preview:
Looking at the stats below you will see that Virginia Tech does very little that should threaten the Noles staff.
Virginia Tech does return a few of their top hitters from last year but the only ones that FSU should really have any concerns with is OF Austin Wates Austin Wates MLB Draft Preview. Plate discipline and power is something that FSU excels in, while VT struggles mightily in those departments.
For those of you who are concerned with the amount of playing time that Devon Travis is receiving over Justin Gonzalez, don't be. This team is built on hitting and not defense, Travis in not on the team due to his ability to get on base or drive in runs, Justin Gonzalez is. Give it time and Gonzalez will be back in the lineup on a regular basis.
I do not feel as confident in a sweep of VT as I did against Maryland, I really do not like how Saturday matches up.
Go Noles!