Going to just come out and say it…I didn’t enjoy the run to the College World Series as much as I should have. The 2013 State baseball team removed the curse (finding out that was only temporary to some extent) by reaching the College World Series for the first time since 1968. Watching the clip above and seeing guys look 12 years old is kind of mind blowing to look back on.

That year, I went to probably the most games out of the last 10+ seasons and the Pack won every time. Saw Rodon win a couple, Trea Turner steal somewhere in the range of 521 bases and watched a team just small ball the hell out of opponents. And to be honest, in the moment, just never thought twice about that team getting to Omaha. Regardless of them having a ridiculous 26-4 record down the stretch (hmm, sound familiar?), it just didn’t quite feel like a magical team. Maybe in retrospect, it was me just being a pessimistic State fan.

Luckily, I was wrong.

Two of the Greatest Ever

Trea Turner came out of high school fairly unknown. Credit to Avent and staff finding him in Florida and bringing him to Raleighwood. In that 2013 season, Turner lead the team in (ready for this?); batting average (.368), runs (66), hits (84), triples (4), total bases (126), walks (38), OBP (.455), and stolen bases (30), DESPITE MISSING 11 GAMES DUE TO INJURY. By the end of that year, he was already the school’s all-time stolen base leader, finalist and first-team everything and the most lovable guy in the world.

Carlos Rodon was the man. He went 10-3 with a sub 3.00 ERA, while striking out 184 batters in 132 innings. Since 2003, only FIVE pitchers have had that many strikeouts in a single season (Don’t know any of these names though…Jered Weaver, Trevor Bauer, Tim Lincecum, Stephen Strasburg, and David Price? Must not have made it to the Bigs). In his last six games, he got to at least 8 innings pitched. The only game under eight was the quick turnaround at CWS. Innings and strikeouts and more innings and more strikeouts on his way to becoming that year’s USA Baseball Player of the Year.

The Falsehood of Only Two

Feel like when folks talk about 2013 squad, it ultimately comes down to just two players, Turner and Rodon. Seeing as that’s how I started this article, yeah…that statement holds true. The roster, in many ways like this year’s club, had entirely bought into the team concept, with every player playing a role.

The trio of Jake Fincher, Brett Austin and Tarran Senay were GREAT at the top of the order. While Turner did his thing, the three others worked their magic. Sophomore Fincher finished second that year in batting average (.313), but was just as deadly as Turner when leading off an inning, hitting .440. His biggest hit was the walk-off in the bottom of the 9th to beat Rice in Game 1 of the Super Regionals. Brett Austin, also a sophomore that year, filled the stat sheet. Whether it was the team high 21 doubles or being a steady catching force (.994 fielding %), he was essential to team success on both sides of the plate. Senay was just a clutch guy; 16 doubles, lead the team in home runs, steady force at first base.

Rodon was the workhorse, plain and simple. In a true three-day starter rotation, Ogburn and Stone played their part, but relied far more on bullpen support. Grant Sasser had a 1 ERA, while collecting 8 saves. Ryan Wilkins, Andrew Woeck and Josh Easley all had at least 6 wins from a reliever spot. (Just for one second think about this 2021 club with a bullpen that was legit 7-8 deep…good God…)

How They Compare

To be honest? They both won a good chunk of games with strong regular season finishes. They fell short in the ACCT with brutal losses to rivals. They made clean Regional runs and had crazy Super Regional wins….anddddddddddddd that’s about it.

2013 was all about Rodon and the bullpen. This year’s team is almost the opposite. Legit four guys deep as starters and a great closer in Justice. Everything in between, however, is…well..scary… From a hitting perspective, 2021 club is all about the deep ball. 89 dingers with 6 players in double figure home runs. The 2013 team? 29 total home runs with the leader, Senay, at 8…

If we were to form the ultimate State team, just take 2021 offense and starting pitching, with Rodon and 2013 bullpen and we win the National Championship. Respect to that amazing 2013 team for breaking down the wall that was the NCAAT drought. Hopefully the boys can go one step further this year.