AP Sports Preview

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — Top-seeded Georgia Tech (44-9) meets seed Miami (38-17) in the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championship on Saturday afternoon at Truist Field, with both teams riding momentum into the tournament’s final weekend.

The Yellow Jackets, winners of 10 of their last 11 games, boast the ACC’s highest scoring offense. Shortstop Carson Kerce has been a catalyst, going 3 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs in Georgia Tech’s 16-10 win over Virginia on Thursday. Over his last 10 games, Kerce is batting .378 with five homers and 13 RBIs, including multi-hit efforts in eight of those contests. He also homered against Boston College on May 16 and against Duke on May 8.

Georgia Tech outscored opponents 168-57 during a nine-game winning streak that ended with a 12-9 loss to Mercer on May 12. The Yellow Jackets’ lineup features catcher Vahn Lackey, who hit two homers against Virginia, and left fielder Parker Brosius, who drove in five runs in that game. The team ranks among the national leaders in runs per game.

Miami counters with a rested pitching staff, including right-hander Lazaro Collera. The Hurricanes’ starter threw five innings of two-run ball in an 8-2 win at Boston College on Thursday, allowing zero hits and striking out four. Collera has been inconsistent, however: He lasted only 2 2/3 innings in a 11-1 loss at Florida State on May 15, surrendering four runs, and gave up four earned runs in six innings against Louisville on May 8. His ERA over his last four starts sits at 5.56.

The Hurricanes won four of their last five regular-season games, including a 7-4 victory at Florida State on May 16. Outfielder Fabio Peralta went 3 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs in the win over Boston College, while first baseman Alex Sosa added a home run.

Saturday’s matchup features two of the ACC’s most potent offenses. Georgia Tech leads the conference in batting average (.328) and home runs (107), while Miami ranks third in slugging percentage (.520). The Yellow Jackets beat Miami two games to one in their regular-season series in Atlanta from April 11-13, outscoring the Hurricanes 26-17.

First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. The winner advances to the championship game Sunday.