Jan. 27, 2012

North Carolina favored in ACC preseason poll

After its fifth College World Series appearance in the past six seasons, North Carolina is favored to be the overall champion in the ACC preseason poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and as released by the conference office.

The Tar Heels received seven votes to win the ACC, with Georgia Tech picking up four and Florida State earning one.

UNC is also favored over the Yellow Jackets to win the Coastal Division, garnering seven first-place votes and 63 points. Georgia Tech received four first-place votes and 57 points to place second. Miami earned the remaining first-place vote and tied for third with Virginia with 47 points, followed by Virginia Tech and Duke.

Clemson topped the Atlantic Division with seven first-place votes and 67 points to edge the Seminoles, who got five first-place votes and 64 points. NC State was third with 46 points, followed by Wake Forest, Maryland and Boston College.

The regular season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 17, with all 12 ACC teams in action. League play begins the weekend of March 9-11 with six conference series, highlighted by UNC at Clemson. The 2012 ACC Championship will be May 23-27 at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.

2012 ACC Preseason Poll

Overall Champion:  North Carolina (7)

Also receiving votes: Georgia Tech (4), Florida State (1)

Atlantic Division

Team, Points (First Place) (2011 ACC, Overall Records)

Clemson, 67 (7) (17-13, 43-20)

Florida State, 64 (5) (19-11, 46-19)

NC State, 46 (15-15, 35-27)

Wake Forest, 34 (15-15, 25-31)

Maryland, 27 (5-25, 21-35)

Boston College, 14 (7-22, 17-33)

Coastal Division

Team, Points (First Place) (2011 ACC, Overall Records)

North Carolina, 63 (7) (20-10, 51-16)

Georgia Tech, 57 (4) (22-8, 42-21)

Miami, 47 (1) (19-10, 38-23)

Virginia, 47 (22-8, 56-12)

Virginia Tech, 20 (11-19, 30-25)

Duke, 18 (7-23, 26-30)

(Six points were awarded for each first-place vote, five points for each second-place vote, etc).

(photo by Jimmy Jones)