BASEBALL: NC State Picked To Finish Third In Atlantic
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Playing in one of the nation’s toughest conferences, NC State was picked to finish third in the Atlantic Division of the 2020 ACC Baseball Preseason poll, announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon.
Based on a vote by the league’s head coaches, the Wolfpack collected 68 points to finish behind overall champion Louisville (97 points and 13 first-place votes) and Florida State (79 points) in the division.The Cardinals and Seminoles both reached the College World Series last season.
Nine teams in the conference are ranked in at least one of the preseason polls from Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, DI Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game or USA Today. NC State is nationally ranked in all six to start the 2020 campaign.
Last season NC State was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division, but finished third in the league (second in the Atlantic Division) with 18 wins. The program had four earn All-ACC honors, headlined by ACC Defensive Player of the Year Will Wilson. Wilson was the first player in program history to win the award.
The Pack opens its season Feb. 14 when it hosts James Madison at Doak Field at Dail Park. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., and will be broadcast on ACCNX.
2020 ACC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
Overall Champion – Louisville
Atlantic
1. Louisville 97 points, 13 first-place votes
2. Florida State 79 points
3. NC State 68 points
T4. Clemson 52 points, 1 first-place vote
T4. Wake Forest 52 points
6. Boston College 27 points
7. Notre Dame 17 points
Coastal
1. Miami 93 points, 12 first-place votes
2. North Carolina 68 points, 1 first-place vote
3. Georgia Tech 66 points, 1 first-place vote
4. Duke 65 points
5. Virginia 55 points
6. Virginia Tech 27 points
7. Pitt 18 points