Our baseball team finished off Miami on Saturday to finish the regular season 45-10 (23-7 in the ACC) and ranked first nationally by Baseball America (or “the poll that matters”). 45-10 looks good. A lot better than 39-12-1 did last year, and better yet when you consider that this year’s diamond ‘Hoos are 16-7 against ranked opponents after going just 4-5-1 in last year’s regular season.

The team will tip off (er, I’m a basketball guy) against Boston College on Wednesday. We swept the Eagles in dominant fashion in March, outscoring them 22-5 over the three game set.

Cody Winiarski – tapped by BOC to make the start on Wednesday – rocked BC in March, allowing just one run on three hits (and giving up just five baserunners) in a six inning stint. BC will start sophomore righty Mike Dennhart, who allowed three runs (and nine hits) in taking the loss in March. Dennhart was consistently rocked this season, posting a 4-7 record and 7.22 ERA while allowing almost two baserunners per inning. Now that I’ve posted this, he’ll throw a complete game two hitter.

At the plate, our standouts were Phil Gosselin and Dan Grovatt during the season series. Goose went 7-10 in the three games with three doubles and four RBI. Grovatt went 4-10 with a home run and six RBI. 3B Anthony Melchionda (.361, 7 HR) and RF John Spatola (.326, 15 HR) are the Eagles to watch.

Thursday brings a matchup with one of the ACC’s traditional big dogs: Florida State. We took two of three in Tallahassee during the regular season, with the lone hiccup coming when the pitching staff shat the bed in a wild 9-8 Sunday loss.

Robert Morey will take the hill for the ‘Hoos. Morey got rocked a bit in his start against the ‘Noles this year (7 hits, 3 walks, 3 ER in a 5 inning stint), but has looked as good as his stuff makes you think he is in his last four starts: 32 IP, 14 hits, 10 walks, 25 strikeouts and just five runs allowed. FSU will trot out part time starter and full time lefthander Robert Busch (4-1, 4.42). Busch didn’t get a start during the regular season set, but made two relief appearances in the series, yielding a run on four hits and two walks in 3.1 innings.

At the plate, Dan Grovatt was the star. He went 8-14 against the ‘Noles with two home runs, a double, and five RBI. Centerfielder Tyler Hold, third baseman Sherman Johnson, and leftfielder Mike McGee are the ‘Noles to watch – the trio combined for 27 home runs and 143 RBI this season, while all batting north of .330.

We’ll finish out the slate against Miami on Saturday – a familiar opponent, given that we just played them this past weekend.

Danny Hultzen – fresh off of his ACC Pitcher of the Year and first team All Conference awards – will probably take his 8-1 record and 2.08 ERA against Miami ace Chris Hernandez (8-3, 2.94). Hultzen pitched Saturday against Miami and was uncharacteristically off (five walks in five innings). Hernandez went 5.2 against us on Friday, striking out nine.

At the plate, nobody on our side really put in a consistent showing against Miami. On their side, you obviously have to watch out for Yasmani Grandal – but that’s like telling people they need to look out for Cloverfield. 3B Harold Martinez hit 17 home runs for the ‘Canes – notable because it’s more than any two Cavaliers combined.

If (not when) the ‘Hoos get to the ACC title game on Sunday, Branden Kline will be the starter. I feel like he could have a total bust out game in that kind of situation.