ACC baseball power rankings: Top teams unable to separate from pack after weekend of upsets
The top seven ACC baseball teams in last week's power rankings faced the bottom seven in series this past weekend, which led to shocking upset wins. Among them was NC State taking down Clemson 2-1 on the road.
Entering Week 10, there are seven ACC programs ranked in the Top 25 in the latest USA TODAY Sports coaches poll. Every ACC baseball team suffered a loss in Week 9 with many coming against non-conference opponents.
Here's where every ACC team ranks nine weeks into the season (Records and rankings are as of April 16)
1. Clemson (30-6, 11-4 ACC)
Last week: 1
What to know: The No. 6 Tigers dropped their series vs. N.C. State. It was their first series loss since falling to Wake Forest in March 2023. Clemson lost in a shootout in the opener and was shut out Saturday. It rebounded Sunday behind ACC pitcher of the week Aidan Knaak, who pitched a career-high eight scoreless innings. Clemson hosts Pitt this weekend.
MORE: Andrew Ciufo, Clemson baseball's starting shortstop, out for season with ACL tear
2. Duke (27-10, 14-4)
Last week: 2
What to know: The No. 8 Blue Devils won their third straight ACC series, beating Pittsburgh 2-1. Alex Stone and Devin Obee combined for 11 hits and 12 RBIs. In Saturday's doubleheader, and Duke's bullpen combined for 9⅔ scoreless innings to take the series. The Blue Devils face Virginia Tech this weekend.
3. Virginia (28-9, 11-7)
Last week: 3
What to know: The No. 8 Cavaliers beat Louisville 2-1 last weekend behind their torrid hitting. They outscored Louisville 47-24 behind 12 home runs. Virginia is tied for second in the nation in batting average (.343). After losing 4-3 to ODU Tuesday, the Cavaliers look to rebound against Georgia Tech this weekend.
4. Florida State (30-6, 10-5)
Last week: 4
What to know: After sweeping Florida on April 9, the No. 7 Seminoles swept Miami last weekend. It marked the second time in program history they swept both of their in-state rivals. Max Williams and Cam Smith both went 6-for-12 with a homer over the weekend. After losing 13-6 to Mercer on Tuesday, FSU aim to bounce back vs. Wake Forest on the road this weekend.
MORE: FSU baseball sweeps weekend series against Miami, wraps up dominant rivalry week
5. North Carolina (29-8, 14-4)
Last week: 5
What to know: After sweeping Notre Dame over the weekend, the No. 11 Tar Heels suffered their first loss at Boshamer Stadium to No. 20 Coastal Carolina on Tuesday. They are 23-1 at home this season. UNC outscored Notre Dame 30-5 in the series but lost 5-4 to the Chanticleers off a ninth-inning RBI single. It battles NC State on the road this weekend.
6. Wake Forest (24-12, 9-9)
Last week: 6
What to know: The No. 13 Demon Deacons beat Boston College 2-1 over the weekend but fell to UNC Wilmington 8-5 on Tuesday. Nick Kurtz earned his second consecutive ACC player of the week honors after going 5-for-11 with three home runs and seven RBIs in the series. Wake sits in fourth in the ACC's Atlantic Division after winning it last year.
Nick Kurtz with 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠-𝙩𝙤-𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 Player of the Week honors 👏
⚾️ 5 HR
⚾️ 12 RBI
📰 https://t.co/WKfIixT5zw pic.twitter.com/byxGCJn1ux— ACC Baseball (@ACCBaseball) April 15, 2024
7. NC State (20-14, 10-8)
Last week: 8
What to know: The Wolfpack defeated Clemson 2-1. They outpaced the Tigers in their 11-8 win in Friday's opener with six hitters earning an RBI. NC State clinched the series Saturday behind Dominic Fritton, Jacob Dudan and Derrick Smith pitching a combined shutout. It dropped the finale, then lost 11-7 in extra innings to Campbell on Tuesday.
MORE: Checking in on North Carolina's top college baseball teams after March Madness
8. Virginia Tech (24-10, 11-7)
Last week: 7
What to know: The No. 22 Hokies went 3-2 during the past week, defeating Liberty on April 10, losing 2-1 to Georgia Tech on the road over the weekend and beating Radford on Tuesday. After taking the series opener 11-1, they were shut out 19-0 Saturday and lost 11-7 in the finale. It was Virginia Tech's second straight ACC series loss.
9. Boston College (19-16, 7-11)
Last week: 10
What to know: After defeating Dartmouth on April 10, the Eagles dropped their second consecutive ACC series, losing 2-1 to Wake Forest. Their starting pitchers each allowed at least three earned runs, and their pitching staff allowed 35 hits during the series. Boston College travels to Notre Dame this weekend.
10. Georgia Tech (22-13, 7-8)
Last week: 12
What to know: The Yellow Jackets won back-to-back ACC series after beating Virginia Tech 2-1. They rebounded after getting routed 11-1 in Friday's opener to shut out the Hokies 19-0 on Saturday. In the finale, Georgia Tech trailed by seven runs in the fifth inning but scored 11 unanswered to take the series.
11. Louisville (21-15, 7-8)
Last week: 11
What to know: The Cardinals went 1-3 over the past week, dropping their weekend series against Virginia 2-1 and losing 17-13 on Tuesday to No. 5 Kentucky. They have allowed double-digit runs in four straight games. Each of Louisville's starting pitchers gave up at least five earned runs in the series. Louisville faces Miami this weekend.
12. Miami (16-19, 6-12)
Last week: 9
What to know: The Hurricanes dropped their second straight ACC series after getting swept by Florida State. They still continue to give conference opponents fits. However, Miami doesn't have the horsepower to complete a comeback when it gets behind like it did in each game against the Seminoles.
13. Pittsburgh (14-19, 4-14)
Last week: 13
What to know: The Panthers are still seeking their first ACC series win this year after losing 2-1 to Duke. They also fell 6-3 to No. 24 West Virginia on Tuesday. They snapped their 13-game streak of not scoring double-digit runs Sunday when they beat the Blue Devils 11-10 to avoid a sweep. Pitt sits in last place in the ACC's Coastal Division.
14. Notre Dame (16-18, 2-16)
Last week: 14
What to know: The Fighting Irish went 2-3 this past week, beating Butler 11-2 on April 10, getting swept by North Carolina and escaping Valparaiso 7-6 on Tuesday. They scored five runs in the final two games against UNC after getting shut out 13-0 in the series opener. Notre Dame has lost 10 of its past 12 games and are last in the ACC's Atlantic Division.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: ACC baseball power rankings after Week 9: Why Clemson is still No. 1