DURHAM, N.C. – The 2025 ACC Baseball Tournament commenced on Tuesday, May 20, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park with a full slate of four games, delivering thrilling finishes and dominant offensive performances. The day’s events included a runaway victory for California, a back-and-forth battle won by Virginia Tech, a high-scoring slugfest claimed by Pitt, and an extra-inning thriller decided in the final game.
California Dominates Miami in Tournament Opener
The day’s competition began with #16 California (23-30) securing a commanding 12-2 victory over #9 Miami (31-24). California’s offense wasted no time, scoring in the second inning. Cade Campbell (#2) singled and advanced to third on a Miami error. Catcher Alex Birge (#22) then launched a two-run home run to right field, giving Cal a 2-0 lead. The game broke open in the fourth inning when California exploded for seven runs. With the bases loaded, Ethan Kodama (#6) singled to score M. Handron (#4). Jarren Advincula (#1) reached on a shortstop error, allowing Cade Campbell (#2) to score. PJ Moutzouridis (#10) followed with a two-run double. After Dominic Smaldino (#38) walked, Jacob French (#15) was hit by a pitch, forcing in Advincula,J (#1). Carl Schmidt (#8) capped the rally with a two-RBI single, scoring Smaldino,D (#38) and Moutzouridis (#10), extending the lead to 9-0. Cal added runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Smaldino,D (#38) and in the eighth with Alex Birge‘s (#22) second two-run homer of the game, scoring Campbell,C (#2). Miami’s only offense came in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run home run by Tanner Smith (#30), bringing home Daniel Cuvet (#14). Oliver de la Torre (#87) earned the win for California (3-4), pitching 6.0 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Griffin Hugus (#13) took the loss for Miami (5-7).
Virginia Tech Claims Victory Over Stanford
In the second game of the day, #12 Virginia Tech (31-24) defeated #13 Stanford (27-25) by a score of 7-4. Stanford took the initial lead in the third inning when Cort MacDonald (#22) singled, advanced to third, and scored on a wild pitch. Virginia Tech quickly responded in the bottom half, as Cam Pittman (#15) walked and scored on an RBI double by Hudson Lutterman (#18). Virginia Tech pulled ahead in the fourth, adding two runs. S. Tackett (#2) and David McCann (#5) singled, and J. Cherry (#28) drove in S. Tackett (#2) with a bunt single. C. Pittman (#15) then singled to score D. McCann (#5). Stanford cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth with a solo home run from Trevor Haskins (#5). Virginia Tech extended their lead significantly in the sixth inning, plating three runs. Mycah Jordan (#47), who pinch ran for J. Cherry (#28), scored on a fielder’s choice by C. Pittman (#15). B. Watson (#10) singled and scored along with C. Pittman (#15) on a two-RBI single by Clay Grady (#9). M. Jordan (#47) added a solo home run in the seventh. Stanford attempted a ninth-inning rally, with Charlie Bates (#10) doubling and Jimmy Nati (#6) following with a two-run home run, but the comeback fell short. Preston Crowl (#20) earned the win for Virginia Tech (2-0), Joey Volchko (#19) took the loss for Stanford (3-4), and Grant Manning (#44) recorded the save (5).
Pitt Outslugs Louisville in High-Scoring Affair
A back-and-forth slugfest highlighted the third game, with #15 Pitt (28-26) outlasting #10 Louisville (35-21) in a 13-11 contest. Pitt started strong, scoring three runs in the first inning, keyed by a two-RBI double from Lorenzo Carrier (#23). Louisville responded with a run in the bottom half on an RBI double by Eddie King Jr. (#42). Pitt built an 8-1 lead through five innings, including a solo homer from Jayden Melendez (#35) in the third. Louisville mounted a significant comeback in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs, powered by Bayram Hot‘s (#27) RBI single and Eddie King Jr.‘s (#42) three-run home run. They added another run in the sixth when Tague Davis (#13) scored on a groundout by Hot (#27). Holding an 8-6 lead in the eighth, Pitt extended their advantage with a three-run homer by Lorenzo Carrier (#23), scoring AJ Nessler (#3) and Sebastian Pisacreta (#18). However, Louisville exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 11-11. Key hits included RBI singles by Hot (#27) and Garret Pike (#2), and an RBI walk by King Jr. (#42). Tanner Shiver (#4) pinch ran for Tagger Tyson (#36) and scored in the rally. In the top of the ninth, with the game tied, Keeton Burroughs (#2), pinch-running for Jackson Cooke (#55), scored the go-ahead run on a two-run home run by Luke Cantwell (#33). Ethan Firoved (#15) earned the win for Pitt (3-4). Brennyn Cutts (#50) was charged with the loss for Louisville (3-1).
Boston College Wins Extra-Inning Thriller Over Notre Dame
The opening day concluded with a dramatic extra-inning contest as #14 Boston College (27-28) defeated #11 Notre Dame (32-21) 5-4 in ten innings. Notre Dame took an early lead in the first when DM Jefferson (#1) singled and scored on a ground-rule double by Parker Brzustewicz (#22), and Carson Tinney (#8) scored on a sacrifice fly by Connor Hincks (#12). Boston College quickly responded in the second inning when Kevin Wolff (#18) hit a three-run homer, scoring V. Cimini (#14) and A. Magpoc (#2). BC extended their lead in the third when Jesse Ragsdale (#6) singled, advanced, and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Gabe Johnson (#52). Notre Dame’s Estevan Moreno (#3) hit a solo home run in the fourth to cut the deficit. Notre Dame tied the game in the sixth when Brady Gumpf (#21) drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in Estevan Moreno (#3). The game remained tied until the top of the tenth inning. Sam McNulty (#28) singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored the winning run on an RBI single to center field by Patrick Roche (#8). G. Soares (#17) earned the win in relief for Boston College (4-1), pitching 4.2 scoreless innings. Tobey McDonough (#23) took the loss for Notre Dame (2-1).
The ACC Baseball Tournament continues Wednesday with more pool play action.
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