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NC State Baseball with HUGE Opportunity to Solidify #2 Seed

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3 years ago

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The run that State baseball has been on is incredible. A short time ago, even with signs of getting hot, didn’t think we would be discussing the possibility of a #2 seed in the NCAAT. But here we are.

Over the last month, State has gone 13-3. Two losses were to #7 ranked Notre Dame, the third a weird slugfest in Winston-Salem. In short, it couldn’t have gone much better for the Wolfpack, even their losses during the stretch, don’t hurt them much. So let’s dig down and see where they might end up for both ACCT and NCAAT.

Resume

Currently, the Pack hold a 23-14 record (14-13 in ACC). Their RPI continues to climb, as they are now 37th in the country, while having the 27th toughest schedule. The seven wins against nationally ranked clubs, over the last five weeks, will only help in the recency bias division of bracket building. With a field of 64, they seemed primed for a #2 seed if they can finish out the season at a steady pace. Baseball America currently has them as a low #2, meaning a trip to Mississippi State or Vandy.

 

Remaining Schedule and Scenarios

This is a dream scenario. Take a red hot Wolfpack club and have their remaining games be against ranked (#15) Pitt, followed by Florida State, the school directly ahead of them in ACC standings. While the Pitt series is on the road, State holds a stellar 12-3 record away from Doak. Win two series and this season officially goes from, “let this be over” to “we are going to make some absolute noise.”

 

–If State sweeps Pitt and FSU: They’re a lock for a high #2 seed, potentially ranked fourth overall in the ACC and have the opportunity to go  deep into the ACCT. The road in June becomes easier heading to a host like Louisiana Tech or even Charlotte.

–Series wins against Pitt and FSU: Still #2 seed, but middle of the pack, maybe head to Florida or Texas Tech for NCAAT.

–Split Series: Bottom side of #2 seed. That’s where they’d potentially be heading to a big boy SEC school for NCAAT. Also would stay in their #3 ACC Atlantic position.

-Loser Loser: No bueno. State falls to #3 Seed, but should at least be in the top half of those and settles in against Tennessee or Arizona. They would also slip back to fifth in Atlantic for ACCT.

In short, play consistent and they’ll be seeded well for both tournaments.

 

What’s Working

Pitching: Johnston, Villaman and Willadsen, with Highfill thrown in, gets you decent starting depth. The biggest factor during this run, has been stable pitching that has gotten late into games. The ability to confidently put out one of those three, and know you still have some inning eaters in the pen, gives Avent hope they can make a run.

Hitting: A week ago, Tyler McDonough won National Player of the Week honors, and it was easy to see why. During a six game stretch, SIX dingers and TEN RBI’s, while batting .380. State is nationally ranked in the Top-20 for Home Runs and 27th in Runs per Game. In the last 10 games, they are plating an average of 8.3 runs a game.

 

 

 

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Passionate State fan that just wants to win...something...like anything...

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NC State Baseball

#21 NC State 6 #7 ECU 10: Box Score (with notes)

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7 hours ago

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April 23, 2024

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#21 NC State lost to #7 ECU 6-10 on the road this evening in a midweek game. As a result, the Pirates have won both games against the Wolfpack in 2024.

When you record 10 hits and score 6 runs, you would hope that’s enough offense to win a baseball game.

Unfortunately the Wolfpack pitching staff was unable to contain the bats of the Pirates, allowing ECU to put 15 hits and 10 runs in the Box Score.

Kudos to Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz for making a STATEment in his return to Clark-LeClair Stadium. A-Mak transferred to NC State from ECU this offseason. This evening Makarewicz was 2-4 with 1 RBI, 2 Runs, and 1 Walk.

A-Mak’s Home Run was a part of back-to-back-to-back Home Runs in the Top of the 3rd for the Wolfpack, with Sophomore Right Fielder Josh Hogue and Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart also hitting bombs.

NC State will look to flush this loss, and get ready for a 3-game series at home this weekend against Ball State.

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NC State Baseball

#21 NC State is Looking for Revenge Against #7 ECU

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21 hours ago

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April 23, 2024

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Earlier this season on April 2nd, #21 NC State (22-15) lost to #7 ECU (31-8) 4-12 in Raleigh. This evening the Wolfpack will look to get revenge against the Pirates in a game in Greenville at 6pm.

Overall, NC State holds a 71-43 advantage over East Carolina in the series, which dates back to 1957.

Last year, the Wolfpack and the Pirates split their 2-game series, ironically, losing at home, and winning in Greenville.

Replicating last years results will be no small task. The Pirates are ranked 7th in the land, and boast a 3-1 record against ranked opponents this season. One of those wins was against NC State, when the Wolfpack was ranked 19th. The other two ranked wins were at UNC when they were ranked 15th.

NC State has done well against ranked opponents, going 7-4 against teams in the Top-25, and 4-2 against teams in the Top-10.

The Pirates’ pitching staff leads the AAC and is in the Top-10 nationally in ERA (3.61), WHIP (1.18), hits allowed per nine innings (6.99) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.04).

ECU’s home field advantage is a real thing, going 20-2 at home thus far this season.

Senior Carter Cunningham leads the Pirates in nearly every offensive category, batting .396 with 9 Home Runs. He’s not alone though. Five of ECU’s regular starters have batting averages over .300.

It will be a homecoming for Senior Wolfpack Third Baseman Alec Makarewicz, who transferred to NC State from ECU this offseason. A-Mak is having the best season of his career, hitting 15 Home Runs while batting .349. It would be fitting for Makarewicz to win at his old stomping grounds.

 

 

 

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NC State Baseball

NC State is Solidly Back in the Top-25 After Series Victory Over Rival UNC

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2 days ago

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April 22, 2024

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NC State’s Baseball team is solidly back in the Top-25 after winning a series over rival UNC this past weekend, winning 2 of 3 at home. Last week, the Wolfpack were ranked 22nd in the Baseball America poll, but in none of the others.

NC State will play a midweek game at East Carolina tomorrow night on the road, and the Pirates rank 7th in the D1Baseball and Coaches Poll.

Baseball America – 17th

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D1Baseball – 21st

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USA Today Coaches Poll – 23rd

Perfect Game – 25th 

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NC State Baseball

NC State Wins Series, but Loses Finale to #11 UNC 14-3

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3 days ago

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April 20, 2024

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NC State won the first two games of the series, clinching their first series victory over rival #11 UNC since 2021, and the first one at home since 2016. The Wolfpack weren’t able to pull of the sweep this afternoon, losing the finale to the Tar Heels 3-14.

The NC State pitching staff didn’t have an answer for the UNC bats today. Starter Freshman Cooper Consiglio gave up 6 runs (5 earned) in 3.1 innings, striking out 4, and walking 4. The Wolfpack put 5 pitchers on the mound today, and every single one of them gave up runs. Sophomore Andrew Shaffner and Freshman Camden Wimbish both gave up 3 runs apiece.

Junior Jacob Cozart was the only bright spot in the Wolfpack’s offense today, hitting 2 solo Home Runs, marking only the 2nd time in his career that he has hit 2+ Home Runs in a single game.

The Wolfpack have two Top-10 series wins (Duke #9 and Clemson #2), and now another Top-15 series win (UNC #11).

Things don’t get any easier this Tuesday, playing #9 ECU on the road at 6pm. NC State should be ranked when they play the Pirates this week.

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