Blogger So Dear author, Bart, sent us a quick preview of the Deacons so we could get a feel for this weekend's first ACC series. First pitch is scheduled for today at 4:00PM. The game will most likely be postponed due to inclement weather but here's the scoop on Wake Forest...

FTRS: Who will be Wake's weekend 3? How have they been pitching?
Bart @ BSD: In last weekend's series against Xavier the Deacons experienced fairly good success from their starting pitchers Michael Dimock, Tim Cooney, and Austin Stadler. All indications from both press releases and from manager Walter are that these will be the same three pitchers getting the go this weekend. Sophomore righty Michael Dimock (1-1, 1.54) will get the chance to go against McGuire and the Jackets on Friday, with Cooney going on Saturday and Stadler on Sunday.

FTRS: With regards to Wake's bats...
Bart @ BSD: So far this season the Deacons have done a good job getting hits in the 2-3-4 spots of the lineup, primarily lead by Ryan Semeniuk who has a 14 game hitting streak. These hitters typically include Semeniuk, Steven Brooks, and Mike Murray. Murray has been named a finalist to the Johnny Bench award list (top catcher) and is off to a fast start at the plate this season hitting two home runs in the series against Xavier.

Wake hasn't done a great job of getting the hits going so far this year, but that's something that is going to happen with a young team. The Deacs have had plenty of chances and opportunities to drive runs and simply have not gotten the job done. Several times this year we have had the bases loaded with no or one outs, or runners at the corners and cannot get that one hit that busts open the game. I don't think the team lacks a killer instinct but rather that youth is something that we will have to work through this year under Walter. The bats will heat up for the Deacons.

FTRS: What are Wake's chances of improving on their 6 win total in conference from last season?
Bart @ BSD: I think that the Deacs are certainly poised to win more than 6 conference games this year. Last year's recruiting class was a solid one with Stadler, Mac Williamson, and Daniel Marrs highlighting the youngsters. With a new manager in Walter, the Deacs look more confident and cohesive as a team and I believe should win between 10-12 games in the conference. This is still not a fantastic record but if we can come close to doubling our conference win total this will be viewed as a success. There is some excitement around this team over the years to come because of Walter and I expect the Deacs to trend upwards over the next several years.

I think the Deacs will surprise people and take one of three this weekend. This would be a pretty big success if they can avoid the sweep. Thank you for the interview and if you have any further questions just let me know! Go Deacs.

Thanks to Blogger So Dear and their contributors for their great work. Tech fans look forward to a good series as long as the weather holds out. For more information check out the College Baseball Blog's preview of this weekend's ACC tilts.