NC State Loses Longest Game In ACC Tournament History

by Akula Wolf on May 27, 2011 12:40 AM EDT

It took longer than usual, but NC State Shit finally made an appearance in grand style, as Georgia Tech stole home, the go-ahead run, and the game in the top of the 15th inning. Ethan Ogburn pitched well in relief, but with a man on third and two outs in the 15th, his windup took an eternity, the Tech runner broke for home, and the pitch was in the dirt. Stealing home doesn't get any easier.

NC State had numerous opportunities to win the game but stranded runner in scoring position after runner in scoring position, and before they were even able to get to that part, the bullpen lost the lead in the 8th inning. You know how we do.

State, Tech, Clemson, and Florida State are all 1-1 through two games. For the Pack to advance to the title game, they need FSU to beat Georgia Tech tomorrow and then they have to beat the Tigers on Saturday. It's doable, but their fate is no longer in their own hands.

A shame, though in the grand scheme it makes little difference. NC State will be in the NCAA tournament.

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since i had an hour drive, i left at the end of the 11th.

glad i did. State had so many opportunities (mostly Diaz and Berquist) to win and just couldn’t get it done. anyway, game should have ended sooner. can’t remember if it was the top of the tenth or the eleventh, but the ump completely missed a call on a Tech hit that would have put the hitter most likely on third. the next batter flied out, and that would have scored the runner. the hitter hit the ball down the first base line, and it was fair by a foot or more. it rolled into the corner and when the runner slowed up i thought it was a ground rule double. then i saw that the first base ump had called it foul.
up to that point the home plate umpire had screwed State with some miserable calls which killed State rallies or enabled Tech rallies. after that blown call, Tech was on the screwed side.
but then they won.
but they also will feel the effects of this long game in their game against FSU. if FSU wins tomorrow over Ga Tech: Clemson and GaTech are out. If State then wins over Clemson, State advances. if State loses, FSU advances. If Tech wins tomorrow over FSU: State is out with GaTech and Clemson being the teams able to advance. i am not standing by my what i just wrote, but i think its right.

by sbas2 on May 27, 2011 12:57 AM EDT reply actions

BTP, sorry about re-stating what you had already stated in that:

for State to advance, FSU has to beat Tech and State has to beat Clemson. got in late-so tired. :-)
also noted a typo “by my what i just wrote” should have been “by what i just wrote”.
truthfully, most of the ACC pool play baseball tournaments come down to the type of scenario described above in that few teams advance to the tournament championship game unblemished. FSU kind of backed in last year finishing pool play on Friday and needing a certain team to to lose for them to advance.
the only thing which remains the same is GaTech beating State in the tournament in 2008, 2010 and this year. i think that GaTech in 2008 and 2010 won only one game in the tournament. further, each game is bizarre. this year, tournament record for extra innings. last year it was the rain delay makeup game early Saturday morning. here is the recap of that weird one in 2008 in which Russel Wilson made an error (one of three by State which led to a Tech come from behind victory): http://www.gopack.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052108aac.html.

by sbas2 on May 27, 2011 7:28 AM EDT up reply actions

yes, GaTech won only

one game in pool play in 2008 and 2010, beating State for that one win each time. i am willing to bet Tech will lose this afternoon. We just can’t get out of their way.
last year Miami had to lose on Saturday in order for FSU to make the championship game.

by sbas2 on May 27, 2011 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions

So tired

of losing to GT in the ACC tourney.

by PACKHOOLIGAN on May 27, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

i read some of your posts in which you wondered if Williams had

to make that diving catch because he misplayed the ball. i can’t be 100% sure, but i don’t think he did. Ramsey hit a shot and any hesitation, mis-step, or incorrect judgement of the ball by Williams, and he has no chance.
Williams does not hit as well as Kyle Wilson did last year, but he is a better center fielder. he has outstanding speed and seems to judge the flight of the ball real well.
that said, i was looking at the batter, and in the time i turned my head, i might have missed an initial error in judgement by Williams.
i might add that State’s defense has been outstanding the whole tournament absent the stealing of home last night.
i know Mayard and Mazzoni are going to be drafted and will probably sign. i don’t know if Williams, Riggins or Ciencin will be drafted, but if they are i hope they don’t sign as each will most likely be class A fodder.
well, i have been running my mouth a lot, but i am excited about the tournament. as each day goes by, tension mounts as teams try of make the championship game or avoid going 0 fer 3. great venue to talk with fans of both State and other teams.

by sbas2 on May 27, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't believe ...

… that either PACKHOOLIGAN (or I) was saying that he only made that catch because he misplayed it. I was saying that a great catch at the end doesn’t necessarily imply a great jump; in fact it can sometimes mean the opposite. He was saying that he got a great jump and made a great catch.

(That is, if that is the catch and posts you were talking about …)

by PeeDub on May 27, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

agreed

by PACKHOOLIGAN on May 27, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

i understood what you were writing.

i didn’t take it as a knock on Williams and his catch. i was just trying to add clarity to the discussion while really mudding it up. :-)

by sbas2 on May 27, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

If you want any recommendations

for places to eat in Durham let me know. That is where I am located.

by PACKHOOLIGAN on May 27, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

thanks. as you know there are great bars and resturants

around the park. yesterday i walked down town (well, what i think is down town) to look for another place to eat. it looks like efforts are being made to revitalize downtown much like in Greensboro.
first time i have been to the area unless i visited the cigarette factory (that used to be a Lucky Strike cigarette factory-right?) when in elementary school and tobacco was king. do you believe that at one time elementary grades took tours of cigarette factories?

by sbas2 on May 27, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

The revitalization

has been incredible. I actually prefer hanging out in Durham over Raleigh or Chapel Hill now. I regret that I will most likely have to move out of the area to get closer to my work now that I am spending an arm and a leg on gas.

Besides the American Tobacco Warehouse area right beside the ballpark, some other places to try are in

Brightleaf Square: The Federal (bar with good, non-bar type food), Pop’s (local ingredients with an Italian lean, it is small and on the pricier side), Piazza Italia

Ninth Street: Dain’s (small bar with great beer selection and good burgers), Metro 8 (argentinean steakhouse)

Others: Piedmont, Rue Cler, Watts Grocery

There are also a load of tacquerias for authentic mexican food if you are into that. I like Super Tacqueria, but i would probably only be in that location during the day.

High End: Magnolia Grill which was voted one of the best 100 restaurants in the US.

Food trucks (aka food for hipsters on the go!): Onlyburger is the only one I have tried (and that was actually from their brick and mortar location), but people seem to love food trucks.

by PACKHOOLIGAN on May 27, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions