The Weekend Set: Week 4

Recap

As Dan and I mentioned in last weeks’ preview episode, this weekend wasn’t full of heavyweight matchups, we got some extremely interesting results with massive Top-25 implications and of course, more story-book moments.

Unranked Stanford defied the odds traveling cross-country to Chapel Hill to take on #2 North Carolina, a team I have been extremely adamant about being an Omaha team, and won in convincing fashion. Taking game one against Jason DeCaro 13-9, would get 10-run-ruled 11-1 on Saturday, but bounced back on getaway day with a 7-0 shutout victory over the Tar Heels and notch their first ACC series win of the season. While I’m still all-in on the Heels, there were some clear cracks in the armor this weekend that the Cardinal exposed. The takeaway here being, Carolina is still really good. #2 really good? Maybe not, but I’d be hard-pressed to change my mind on them not finding a way to Omaha. Stanford on the other hand, may have been slept on this preseason. Sure, adding Rintaro Sasaki was a huge add, but we have to remember this is a team over the last five years is no stranger to deep postseason runs, the last being an Omaha appearance in 2023. With Virginia scuffling, and some inconsistencies with Wake Forest, and already holding a series over UNC, Stanford could legitimately find a way to win the ACC if they keep performing at this level. The travel didn’t bother them this week, but they’ll go cross-country five more times this year, I’m curious to see how this effects them.

While it appeared Texas A&M got their swagger back on Friday and Saturday, they dropped getaway day to New Mexico State 4-1. Yes, they won the series, but at 9-6 and the current state of the team, these are teams that you simply out-talent, and need to sweep. I’m usually one to give these losses a pass, but it seems like the Aggies have multiple every week, and have some ironing out to do with #14 Alabama coming to College Station next weekend.

Southern Mississippi played in what was one of the better series’ this weekend against UNC Wilmington, the Golden Eagles would stay hot and take yet another series win sealing the deal in the rubber match. Dallas Baptist finished a series win at The Tigue, no small feat, after dropping Friday and picking up two straight wins to leave Louisiana with a series win. I’d be a fool to not mention Blake Gillespie, who picked up a no-hitter for the Charlotte 49ers racking up 11 strikeouts, allowing just one walk, electric stuff.

Backside Breakouts

Top-25:

Climbing the Ladder

Oregon: This was statement weekend for the Ducks, they’ve had a relatively easy strength of schedule to this point, and traveling to USC was going to be the first test. While the Trojans bats were not their strong suit, they rolled out Caden Hunter and Caden Aoki on the mound, both of which were pitching to a sub-two ERA heading into the weekend. Of course, Oregon continued to mash, and show the world they are in fact, a top-10 team.

Stanford: As I mentioned before, Stanford may have just had the most impressive weekend in the country taking a series from a seemingly unbeatable North Carolina team, and in convincing fashion all while traveling across the country. Exploding onto our Top-25 this week at the #19 slot, the Cardinal will look to stay hot against Duke next weekend.

Dallas Baptist: After dismantling #13 Oklahoma in their midweek matchup, the Patriots went to one of the most hostile Mid Major environments in The Tigue to take on Louisiana. While the bullpen struggled in game one, Dallas Bombers sured up in back end of the weekend to take the series. They continue to roll and improve their stock to potentially host a regional

Slump Alert

Virginia: The Cavs continue to find their footing, and drop their ACC opening series to Boston College, who was last in the ACC in 2024. Not a great showing, but we have to remember they’re still fighting injuries in their rotation with Evan Blanco and Jack O’Connor. I believe this team will be fine down the stretch when those guys are healthy, but they can’t afford to lay any more eggs this early in the season if they want a shot at the ACC title and a regional host site.

North Carolina: Unfortunately, when one team gets hot, more than likely, one team gets cold. That’s the Tar Heels this week sliding back to our #11 spot. I still have a ton of confidence in this ballclub, but the glaring fact of the matter is there is not a lot of pop in this lineup. We’ve seen plenty of teams make National Championship runs with elite pitching, defense, and manufacturing runs., Carolina has the roster for this, but needs to sure up some things if that’s the team they are.

Texas A&M: I really thought the Aggies found something this weekend after dismantling New Mexico State on Friday and Saturday, but dropping getaway day 4-1 is a tough look for a team who can’t really afford to stumble anymore at 9-6. They’ll open SEC play in College Station against #14 Alabama, time to get on track.

Merch

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