Our look at the storylines from Friday ...

The ACC showdowns - Game ones in the ACC pecking order series went to the road teams but the home teams rebounded to even both series. North Carolina trailed Virginia early and appeared in trouble but rallied to snag an 8-5 victory and clinch the ACC title.

Florida State scored twice in the first inning and Luke Weaver made it hold up as the Seminoles beat Clemson 2-1. FSU, jockeying for a National seed, will need to take the series Saturday or it opens up for Clemson, NC State, South Carolina, or Louisville to snag it with a strong finish.

Conference title tilts - Louisville is finishing strong. The Cardinals won their 15th straight game with a 12-4 victory over Pitt that put them up a game over the Panthers with a game left. This hot streak has put away any doubt the Cards with host and has them ready to potentially move into a National seed if teams ahead of them falter.

The losses for Pitt hurt their at large status. The Panthers have 40 wins and are 18-5 in the Big East but their RPI rank is at 65 heading into Saturday. They desperately need to salvage a game or else they will need to secure some wins the Big East Tournament.

Troy evened their series at South Alabama winning 8-3. They trail the Jaguars by a game with one to play. This is the second SBC series this season between the teams and USA won two of three in the first one. A Trojan victory Saturday ties the teams in the standings and in the season series.

One area where the teams are not that close is RPI. Troy sits at 36 while South Alabama is at 15 - even after Friday's loss. A South Alabama conference title, top 15 RPI, and first time host status will be a compelling option for the committee in host selection.

Upset in Nashville - Alabama entered the weekend series at top ranked Vanderbilt at 13 SEC wins. Most felt 14 conference wins coupled with their solid RPI, solid non-conference schedule, and position in the SEC standings would be enough to secure a spot in the NCAA field. Beating Vanderbilt has proven difficult however, as a only two teams had managed wins over the Commodores in SEC play.

Tide coach Mitch Gaspard saw an opportunity in the middle innings with the game tied and went to third starter Justin Kamplain in relief to try to keep the game within striking distance. The move worked as the Crimson Tide secured a 5-4, 10 inning win that likely extends their season into June.

While Alabama helped their case, Kentucky lost again at Missouri and will likely need several wins in Hoover just to get back in the discussion. The Wildcats probably would need to win the automatic bid.

Auburn couldn't solve Ryne Stanek and Colby Suggs and dropped a 1-0 game against Arkansas. A victory Saturday would really help their cause. A loss likely means a do-or-die game Tuesday for the chance to improve their status with another victory or two.

Texas A&M appears to be playing their best ball at the right time as they took the series at Tennessee. If the Aggies can complete the sweep they would move to 14-15 in SEC play and have a real shot to snag one of the last spots.

Are we going to host? - Heading into Saturday's action we have the following teams as #1 seeds and hosts:

1. Vanderbilt

2. North Carolina

3. LSU

4. Virginia

5. Oregon State

6. Cal State Fullerton

7. Oregon

8. Florida State

9. North Carolina State

10. South Carolina

11. Louisville

12. Indiana

13. UCLA

14. Clemson

15. Kansas State

16. South Alabama

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17. Mississippi State

18. Arkansas

19. Arizona State

Mississippi State, South Alabama, and Arizona State each lost Friday. Kansas State and Arkansas won.

In my opinion the first thirteen spots are fairly secure. Clemson and Kansas State could push their way into that category with wins Saturday. A Clemson win would tie them with Florida State and possibly NC State atop the ACC Atlantic and put them tied for third overall in the conference. That distinction could be enough to overcome being the fifth ACC host out of the 16 spots. Kansas State leads the Big XII by two games and has won five in a row pushing their RPI into the teens. Another win Saturday might be enough baring a collapse in the Big XII tournament.

Arkansas is interesting because they are third in the SEC and already have 18 conference wins. Those numbers typically result in a host award. They also have a series sweep at South Carolina and a series win over Mississippi State - two conference mates in the host discussion.

However, they sit at RPI 44 heading into the game at Auburn (RPI #33). Teams with RPI ranks in the 40s don't typically host. Could 19 SEC wins be ignored due to their RPI? Either way, we will break new ground.

Mississippi State is another interesting option due to a strong RPI (#10) and fifth place SEC standing. They are 15-14 heading into Saturday's game with South Carolina. A loss will eliminate them - baring something odd - while a win keeps hopes alive that they can steal a host at the expense of a Clemson, Kansas State, South Alabama, Arizona State, or Arkansas. Today is pretty simple for MSU: win and keep those host aspirations alive. A loss and get ready to be a dangerous #2 seed regardless of what happens in Hoover.

Bubble watch

Here is how Regional bubble teams did Friday. It was a big night for bubble team victories.

Winners:

Maryland beat Boston College 4-1.

Florida Gulf Coast beat Stetson 9-6.

North Florida beat South Carolina-Upstate 6-2.

Illinois beat Minnesota 4-3.

Notre Dame beat Cincinnati 9-1.

South Florida beat Rutgers 6-5.

Seton Hall beat St. John's 3-0.

Houston beat Southern Miss 7-5.

Austin Peay beat SIU Edwardsville 10-8.

Stanford beat Cal 9-8.

Arizona beat Arizona State 10-7.

Alabama beat Vanderbilt 5-4 in 10 innings.

Texas A&M beat Tennessee 8-4.

Western Carolina beat Appalachian State 9-1.

Sam Houston State beat Central Arkansas 4-0.

Florida Atlantic beat Florida International 3-0.

BYU beat St. Mary's 6-3.

William & Mary split a doubleheader with Georgia State losing 12-4 and winning 14-0.

Losers:

Ohio State lost to Indiana 7-2 in 10 innings.

Michigan State lost to Penn State 9-0.

West Virginia lost to Oklahoma State 5-0.

Baylor lost to Texas Tech 7-1.

Pittsburgh lost to Louisville 12-4.

Cal State Northridge lost to Cal Poly 5-1.

UC Irvine lost to Cal State Fullerton 5-2.

Creighton lost to Missouri State 3-2.

Auburn lost Arkansas 1-0.

Kentucky lost to Missouri 4-3.

The Citadel lost to UNC Greensboro 13-11.