Finally, the Canes are in their first ACC championship game, which happens today at 1 p.m. when they battle Virginia in baseball.

When the Canes joined the ACC a few years ago, they were supposed to dominate in baseball and football - but it hasn't happened.

At least not until this baseball season, when the Canes have been brilliant. They won the regular season ACC title and are 3-0 in the postseason. Now they play Virginia, a team they swept in a 3-game series earlier this year.

In Saturday's 5-2 win over North Carolina State, Jemile Weeks hit a three-run homer to spark the Canes. In a 15-12 win over Georgia Tech on Thursday, Yonder Alonso and Dave DiNatale each hit a pair of homers. And in Wednesday's opening win over Clemson, starter Chris Hernandez completely dominated to raise his record to 11-0.

Hernandez should have been the ACC Pitcher of the Year, and Alonso should have been the Hitter of the Year. Instead, Hernandez got Freshman of the Year, which he also deserved, and both - of course - made first-team All-ACC.

One underrated key for Miami (46-8) has been Blake Tekotte, who has played outstanding defense in center field and has been everything you want out of a leadoff hitter. He has gotten on base in each of Miami's 54 games this season and is tied for the ACC lead with 72 runs scored. He is also near the top of the league lead in steals.

Another player who doesn't often grab headlines but has made a major impact lately is No. 3 starter Kiki Garcia, who started poorly this season but is now 6-2. He pitched 7 shutout innings Saturday to get Miami in to the ACC final.

The question now is who the Canes will start today. Ace Chris Hernandez (11-0) could go on three days rest, but that would be a risk in my mind. He hasn't pitched twice in one week all year, and I wouldn't run that risk until or unless the Canes make it to the College World Series.

The best option, in my mind, is David Gutierrez. The Canes would also have all its relievers on call such as Kyle Bellamy and Carlos Gutierrez. Starters Eric Erickson and even Hernandez could perhaps give the team an inning if needed.

The Canes will find out tonight if they get to host a regional - which is a lock. And they will find out Monday who will join them in their regional.