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2021 State Baseball Preview and Predictions

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Last year, State Baseball started the season 14-3 and were knocking on door of being Top-10 in the Country. Offensively, the team was straight slugging (28 dingers) and pitching was sitting at a stellar 3.56 ERA (6.4 runs better than their opponents). Then, COVID hit…

With renewed focus and hunger to play ball, the club is looking to ramp up quickly as they start their 2021 campaign today. Picked to finish second in the Atlantic Division, they find themselves ranked in the top 20 in every national poll.

As we preview the 2021 season, here are some focal points and predictions.

 

YOUNG BUT READY:

Even with an expanded roster, State only has one senior (Kent Kylman) but the confidence is higher than normal. State’s two biggest departures were “The Beast”  known as Patrick Bailey (drafted 13th overall by Giants) and pitching stud Nick Swiney (also drafted by Giants, in the second round). Ginormous holes to fill, but C Luca Tresh and RHP Reid Johnston will do their best to replace the stellar, former arm and battery. If there are some nerves about youth, fear not, Avent has been adamant that this team is about as close as they could possibly be. His praise of leadership and team focus was evident on media day. Young guns are going to be a task to handle, but they’ll settle in faster than expected.

STACKED OUTFIELD:

One of the preseason highlights, at least for us, is potential for the outfielder crew to make a HUGE impact on the team. The lot of Brown, McDonough, Butler, Tatum and even Soles could see time. Devonte Brown finished the shortened season behind only Bailey for home runs (5), while leading the team in slugging percentage. Tyler McDonough has the consistent batting average, power and fielding you hope for in a center fielder. Jonny Butler has the tools to be a serious threat, especially when reaching base. Butler lead the team last season with 9 steals. Overall, the boys can hit, just need to clean up fielding a wee bit.

LUCA TRESH:

The most hyped player coming into the season is catcher, Luca Tresh. Tresh starts the season on the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List, as well as, being named preseason All-American Third Team. Last season, he finished the year reaching base in seven straight games, will having multiple hits in 7 of 11 he played. The attention and expectations have pushed him into a potential top-50 draft position. Avent noted on media day that his attention to details this off-season have been incredible. He knows he has big shoes to fill with Bailey departing and is up to the task.

 

PROJECTED EVERYDAY LINEUP:

C – Luca Tresh
1B – Austin Murr
2B – J.T. Jarrett
SS – Vojtech Mensik
3B – Tyler McDonough
OF – Terrell Tatum, Devonte Brown, Jonny Butler

  

PLAYER PREDICTIONS:

-Lone senior, reliever Kent Klyman, finishes the season closing 18 games, and in doing so, sets the school record for saves.

-Austin Murr will reach base more with BB + HBP, than he will total hits. The man has eyes and crazy patience.

-Devonte Brown will have the biggest breakout year. Was the hottest player last year and still has more upside to go.

-Luca Tresh will have some obvious rust behind the plate for the first 8 game, but not at the plate.

-Evan Justice will lead the team in wins with 8.

 

SEASON PREDICTION:

The team is sneaky talented and has loads of confidence for being so young. The schedule leans ACC heavy, but being shortened overall might be an advantage to State. They always seem to start strong and then fade as season goes, so hopefully there will be more gas in the tank for a postseason run.

  • Overall: 38-11
  • Conference: 28-11 (2nd)
  • NCAA Tourney: Make it to the Super Regional

 

 

 

 

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NC State Baseball

NC State is Back in the Top-25 After Three Top-25 Wins Last Week

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After 3 Top-25 wins last week (1 over Coastal Carolina & 2 over Duke), NC State’s Baseball team is back in the Top-25 in 4 of the 5 polls. Last week was the only week that the Wolfpack hasn’t been ranked all season, after losing 1 game to UNCG, and losing all 3 at Georgia Tech.

USAToday Coaches Poll – #22

D1Baseball – #22

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Baseball America – #25

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NCBWA – #25

 

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NC State Baseball

NC State Loses Series Finale 2-13, but Wins Series vs. #9 Duke

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NC State lost the series finale 2-13 yesterday, but won the series against #9 Duke.

Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz was the sole source of offense, knocking in both runs on two solo Home Runs. A-Mak now has 10 Home Runs on the year. Makarewicw’s batting average is .359, and his OPS is 1.226.

Sophomore Dominic Fritton’s struggles continue, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 innings, striking out 5. His ERA on the season is 8.37, with a 1-2 record.

Fritton isn’t the only pitcher that struggled.

Senior Hollis Fanning gave up 5 runs in 2.1 innings in relief. His ERA in the year is 7.30.

Junior Carson Kelly gave up three runs in 0.2 innings pitched. His ERA is 27.00 in 2 appearances.

Despite losing in this way in the finale, NC State had a heck of a week, beating #13 Coastal Carolina in a midweek game, and taking 2 of 3 against #9 Duke.

The Wolfpack will look to get revenge tomorrow night at 6pm against UNCG. Two weeks ago, they lost to the Spartans 3-18 in a midweek game.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Secures Series Win Against #9 Duke With a 9-8 Walk-Off Victory Over #9 Duke

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After pulling off heroics in the 8th inning last night, NC State decided to make it even more exciting last night, shifting their heroics to the bottom of the 9th.

With #9 Duke leading 8-3 in the Bottom of the 9th inning, the Wolfpack would need a miracle, and sometimes you get exactly what you need.

Sometimes a miracle starts with a little bit of luck. With 1 out, Sophomore Josh Hogue grounded into a fielders choice, where as a result of an error, he ended up at 2nd, Senior Noah Outfielder Soles ended up at 3rd and Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth ended running across home plate.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington would then hit a 3-run Home Run, cutting Duke’s lead to 2.

With 2 outs left, Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III hit a 2-run walk-off bomb, giving NC State a 9-8 series clinching win over #9 Duke.

Senior Starting Pitcher Logan Whitaker wasn’t great, but he wasn’t terrible either. He gave up 4 earned runs in 4 innings pitched.

Junior Win Scott pitched in relief for the first time since February 28th, giving up 2 earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched.

Freshman Heath Andrews was up next, pitching for the first time since March 10th, giving up 2 earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.

Sophomore Derrick Smith picked up his first Win of the season, pitching a scoreless 8th inning.

Pennington, Serrano III and Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart all had 2 hits apiece.

Pennington had 2 Home Runs and 4 RBI’s, giving him 5 on the year.

Serranno III and Soles each had 2 RBI’s apiece, both coming off of Home Runs.

After falling out of the Top-25 on Monday, NC State has won 3 straight games against Top-15 opponents, and they will look to make that 4 straight tomorrow as the Wolfpack and Blue Devils close out the series at 1pm.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Wins Series Opener Against #9 Duke Behind a Solid Highfill Performance

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NC State is rebounding in a major way this week. After losing all 4 games last week (Midweek vs. UNCG & swept at GT), the Wolfpack defeated #13 Coastal Carolina in a midweek game, and defeated #9 Duke 4-3 in the series opener tonight at home.

The Wolfpack were carried by a solid outing by starter Sam Highfill, who gave up 3 runs over 7 innings, while striking out 8. Highfill is now 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA.

Freshman Jacob Dudan continues to impress, picking up the Save, throwing 2 scoreless innings. Dudan now has 3 Saves on the year, and is rocking a 2.70 ERA.

With the game tied 3-3, Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 7th, knocking in Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz.

The other 3 RBI’s weren’t exciting in nature, with Sophomore Left Fielder and Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington bringing in Runs on groundouts, and Freshman 2nd Baseman ushering in a Run with a Walk with the bases loaded.

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