Duke Dismantles Florida State in ACC Championship

Photo Courtesy of ACC

Charlotte, N.C.- Duke’s bats came to play in a big way against Florida State in the ACC Championship. Duke made a statement in a 16-4 win on Sunday, May 26, at Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C.

Florida State is the fifth-ranked team in the ACC, with an overall record of 42-15.  Duke is the sixth-ranked team with an overall record of 39-18.

Duke third baseman Ben Miller had a performance for the ages with a Grand Slam and a two-run home run. He was 3-for-6 with six RBI. Miller has 15 home runs this season.

Duke center fielder Devin Obee stayed hot and launched a Grand Slam onto the lawn in left field. Obee also had a big home run against Miami on Saturday, May 25, and hit a home run on Friday, May 24, against NC State. He homered in three straight games to end his tournament.  Obee has 15 home runs on the season and was 2-for-4 against Florida State.

Obee won the ACC Tournament MVP. In the four games, he was 7-for-14 (.500 Average), with three home runs, six RBI, and seven runs.

“I’m just trying to be as relaxed as possible. I’m pretty powerful, so I just gotta let it come to me,” Obee told World Baseball Network about his plate approach.

Duke’s offense in the championship game was incredible, with 16 hits and 16 runs. It was a domination and destruction of Florida State.

Duke’s left-handed starting pitcher, James Tallon, made the first start of his career in the ACC Championship Game. Tallon held his own, giving up two runs in 3.2 innings with two strikeouts.

Duke won the ACC for the first time since 2021 when they beat NC State 1-0 in the ACC Championship. Duke will look to end a 62-year drought of not making it to Omaha to play in the College World Series. Last year, they were one game short.

Florida State got two of its four runs on a two-run home run by third baseman Cam Smith. Smith is the 21-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Draft Rankings. Smith has 14 home runs on the season and went 2-for-4 in the afternoon.

Duke Manager Chris Pollard spoke with the media after the game about the ACC Tournament: “Congrats to the ACC and the city of Charlotte for putting on a great event. The facility is tremendous; it’s a great tournament,” Pollard told the media.

“Our leadership. It’s easy. It comes from the locker room. That’s not something that we can steal as coaches. They have to decide if they’re going to be tough,” Pollard told World Baseball Network about his team.

“I’m just really proud of the way they’ve handled their business.. and the way they’ve rallied around each other over the course of this year,” Pollard said.

 

Tournament Notes 

Duke had three players make the 2024 ACC All-Tournament Team: Devin Obee, relief pitcher Charlie Beilenson, and catcher Alex Stone.

Florida State also had three players named to the team: right fielder James Tibbs III, utility/designated hitter Marco Dings, and second baseman Drew Faurot.

Wake Forest standouts starting pitcher Chase Burns and first baseman Nick Kurtz were also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team.

Virginia shortstop Griff O’Ferrall, Miami third baseman Daniel Cuvet, and North Carolina outfielder Anthony Donfrio round out the team.

The Regional hosts will be decided tonight at 8 p.m. EST, and the entire field of 64 teams for the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament will be announced at noon EST on Monday, May 27, on ESPN 2.