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NC State Baseball CWS Timeline with One REALLY Big Question

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Sunday afternoon, Kendall Rogers at D1 Baseball released an article describing the timeline of events for State at the CWS. Specifically, the situations in testing that lead to their removal. Between the NCAA and NC State sources, he spent “a total of two and a half hours” crosschecking everything. It was a great insight into what happened, but left a ginormous question…Players repeatedly tested negative but still couldn’t play?

Before going further…You can follow Kendall Roger here or read more about college baseball here at D1 Baseball. All italicized writing is from Kendall Rogers/D1 Baseball.

Testing Protocols

NCAA tests unvaccinated players the day before each game, which ultimately comes out to about every other day. The protocol is “simple”.

A player/coach/travel party member will take an antigen test, which has a higher false positive/negative rate than a more conclusive PCR test. If that person tests positive on an antigen test, the NCAA sends that person to take a more confirmatory PCR test. If that PCR test is positive as well, they are not cleared, and the individual then enters what the NCAA dubs ‘blue protocol’. Blue protocol means they are not clear to participate, and they immediately go into isolation, and thus contact tracing begins.

In short…There is a quick test, that if positive, leads to a more in-depth/accurate test. Players need to obviously pass both.

It should be also noted, that if officials deem that there could be an outbreak amongst a team, all players/staff/travel party could be forced to test. That’ll come into effect shortly…

 

Issues from the Beginning

State had all negatives when they arrived in Omaha and when testing was done Sunday, before Game 1 versus Vanderbilt. But, Avent announced in the postgame conference (after beating Vandy 1-0) that a few folks had a “bug.” In hindsight, probably not the best to bring something like that up, regardless if you think a player(s) may have cold or flu, because shortly after…

The NCAA said they found out later Monday that one of the players who had the ‘bug’ had a roommate removed at some point on Sunday, which created some concern inside the NCAA.

So because of it seeming a little weird State is adjusting rooms and announcing players are sick…NCAA decided to test again.

The player that Avent said had a ‘bug’ on Monday, June 21, tested positive in an antigen and PCR test on Tuesday, which deemed him ‘not clear to participate’, and thus was directed to isolate. The roommate of the individual, who was in direct contact, was then directed to quarantine, according to the NCAA. The NCAA later found out that the first individual was symptomatic prior to Monday’s game, which Avent alluded to in his press conference. Avent did not know at the time it was COVID-19, however, just to make that perfectly clear. Avent, assistant coach Chris Hart and others also were tested, and were COVID-19 negative, NC State sources told D1Baseball. 

This would lineup with the rumors we were hearing that Jarrett was positive and the roommate (Justice) was in direct contact and moved.

Between Tuesday and Friday, June 25, NC State attempted to have the roommate of the first individual tested each day to potentially test out and be able to pitch. That request was not granted; though, the individual wound up testing positive later in the week anyway.

Symptoms right off the plane, first positive test by Tuesday. State is officially under the microscope of the NCAA.

Friday’s Shitshow

The individual who was in close contact with the COVID positive player was tested in hopes that he would test negative and could come out of quarantine ‘sooner, and perhaps be able to play’. However, that player tested positive for COVID-19. He was then deemed out of action. The same morning, NC State discovered two more players had shown symptoms consistent with COVID-19, so were proactive and sent them over to the Marriott for further testing. Those results arrived 90 minutes before the Vanderbilt game — both members of the traveling party were positive for COVID-19.

Here is where things start to spiral. In an effort to possibly get back a player, State pushes hard for retests and sure enough, it’s positive. Then State officials are good folks and say that two more players aren’t feeling a 100%, and they too are positive. If State would have just let it go, would we still be playing now or at least been close to full squad for Friday’s game? Probably. Did State do the right thing morally but trying to seek clarity with potential positive cases?  Yes.

Now that State has four cases, the Championship Medical committee is alarmed. Four members of the team (at this point all unvaccinated) have tested positive.

The NCAA informed NC State that unvaccinated players would be removed from the game and only vaccinated players could play in the game. The NCAA gave NC State the option to either forfeit and try to play Saturday or play on with a limited roster. NC State sources say they proposed to the NCAA to play a doubleheader between the two teams on Saturday instead. That request was denied. 

 

The BIG Question

This is where all the anger and confusion of this whole mess hits hardest. Four players are positive and the NCAA has forced State to play a game with only vaccinated players. In a further attempt to clear more players, State goes through yet another round of testing of all unvaccinated players.

At the start of the game, unvaccinated members of the Pack team were taken to the Marriott and tested. All of those unvaccinated members of the team were negative for COVID-19, including several prominent players on the roster. None of those players were able to return to the ballpark in time to enter the game.

This is HUGE. It’s been confirmed by Reid Johnston’s family and others, that State players tested negative SIX TIMES in Omaha and yet were unable to play. Could the game not have been moved back an hour more? Could the NCAA not have figured out a way to say “13 vaccinated and the XX number of players that continue to test negative can play.”? We are holding player back simply because they didn’t have the time TO WALK BACK TO THE BALLPARK?!?

 

Further Positive Tests and Kicked Out

With NC State having four positive COVID-19 tests, the team reached ‘outbreak’ status, which then caused the NCAA to get all members of the team tested — including the vaccinated members who played in the Friday game against Vandy. Shortly after that point, the results began to trickle in for each player — four players, all vaccinated — had tested positive for COVID-19, with all other players testing negative.

So here we hit the low point of the weekend. State has four vaccinated and four unvaccinated players that have tested positive. Within hours (at 1am in the freaking morning) NCAA committee decides to shut it all down. There was obvious fear that this would continue. The NCAA had to be questioning “Well what happens if 20 guys play tomorrow and they win? What happens that by Tuesday they are back down to 13 guys?” They panicked and State paid the price.

You most certainly could make the argument that negative tests mean you should be able to play. You also could make the argument that whether State at 27, 20 or 12 players, they still would have gone for it.

Instead, State heads back to Raleigh and the entire nation is now Miss State fans.

 

For Clarification

-Avent was torn apart for his statements after the Pack 13 game about vaccinations. Well Avent was vaccinated, thus the stuff about him being the cause of this all is over.

-There has yet to be any proof that Vandy called for retesting. Furthermore, the entire team (although all vaccinated) were tested and all were ‘everyone was cleared and able to play on Monday’ (according to ESPN’s Kris Budden as reported by The Tennessean) . That said, were they being a little sporting wanting to play knowing State was down to 13 but could have gained more back with time, sure.

 

In the end, we understand the process now, but we still have questions on the decisions.

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NC State Baseball

#13 NC State is Swept by Georgia Tech on the Road

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It was a terrible week for 13th ranked NC State Baseball team. The Wolfpack lost to UNCG 3-18 in a midweek game, and were then swept by Georgia Tech on the road this weekend.

Pitching was major issue for the Pack in all 4 losses, giving up a total of 49 runs, averaging 12.25 per loss.

(Recaps of the UNCG Loss and the first loss in the GT Series)

In Saturday’s loss, Senior Logan Whitaker was not the issue, giving up 3 earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched, while striking out 7 (1 walk). He now holds a 2-1 record with a 4.50 ERA.

With the Pack winning 7-5 heading into the bottom of the 8th inning, Freshman Jacob Dudan, who hadn’t given up a run in his first 8 appearances, gave up 4 runs (3 earned), which ultimately led to a Yellow Jackets 8-7 victory.

Also, the Wolfpack allowed Georgia Tech to score 2 unearned runs on Saturday, and ended up losing the game by 1.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington was the lone batter with multiple hits (2-4), and Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth and Freshman 2nd Baseman Luke Nixon both had 2 RBI’s each. Nixon hit the first home run of his career.

Saturday

Yesterday, NC State lost via mercy rule in the 7th inning, trailing the Yellow Jackets 5-15 in the bottom of the 7th.

After earning Preseason All-American honors by D1Baseball, Sophomore Dom Fritton continues to struggle mightily in 2024. Fritton gave up 6 runs (5 earned) in 2.2 innings pitched, walking 5. His ERA on the season is 8.24 in 5 starts. He wasn’t the only one to struggle though, with Freshman Jaxon Lucas giving up 4 runs (3 earned), Junior Garrett Payne giving up 2, and Sophomore Derrick Smith giving up 3.

Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III was the only Wolfpack batter with multiple hits (2-4), with one of them being a double, along with 2 walks.

Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart hit a double that knocked in 2 runs, and Freshman Catcher Alex Sosa hit his first collegiate home run, knocking in two as well.

Sunday

NC State is now 12-6 overall, with a 3-3 ACC record. They need to figure things out quickly, because they have a challenging midweek game against Coastal Carolina (17-3) at the Doak on Tuesday night at 6pm.

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NC State Baseball

#13 NC State Can’t Capitalize in Series Opener at Georgia Tech, Losing 5-8

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#13 NC State (12-4) lost their 2nd straight game today, losing the series opener at Georgia Tech (13-4) 5-8.

Senior Sam Highfill pitched excellent for 4.2 innings, but that final 0.1 was brutal. After recording 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th, Highfill gave up 2 home runs resulting in 3 runs, putting the Yellow Jackets up 4-2.

Instead of coming out of the game, Highlfill came back out in the bottom of the 6th, and walked the first batter he faced. He came out of the game after that, and former Wolfpack Shortstop Payton Green hit a 2-run home run in the next at bat.

In total, Highfill gave up 5 earned runs in 5 innings, and now has 1-1 record, with a 4.94 ERA.

NC State had the same amount of hits as Georgia Tech (8), but they left batter after batter on base. The Wolfpack left 10 players on base, compared to GT’s 4.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington led the team with 2 RBI’s, with a Home Run in the Top of the 3rd. He also scored 2 runs and walked twice.

Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart, Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III and Junior Chase Nixon all chipped in an RBI a piece.

Game 2 between the Wolfpack and the Yellow Jackets will be at 4pm tomorrow on ACCNX.

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NC State Baseball

#13 NC State Gets Blown Out by UNCG 18-3 in a Midweek Game

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#13 NC State (12-3) was blown out today by UNCG (9-7) 18-3 in a Midweek game at home.

The Wolfpack was held to 4 hits on the day, with Senior Right Fielder Noah Soles and Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewich both collecting 2 hits apiece. A-Mak picked up 2 more RBI’s.

The rest of the batters in the NC State lineup went hitless.

Two weeks ago, Freshman Cooper Consiglio picked up a Win in a midweek start against Queens, giving up 2 earned runs in 4 innings. Today, Consiglio gave up 8 runs (7 earned) in 2.1 innings.

NC State used 10 pitchers today, and 6 of them gave up runs.

The only pitchers that came out of the game unscathed were Freshman Ryan Marohn, Senior Hollis Fanning, Sophomore Shane Van Dam, and Freshman Jacob Dudan.

The Wolfpack will hit the road this weekend for a 3-game series at Georgia Tech (12-4).

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NC State Baseball Top-25 Rankings Update After Sweeping BC

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After sweeping Boston College in their ACC Series Opener this past weekend, NC State moved up in every poll this week. The highest ranking the Wolfpack received was 12th, by the NCBWA.

NCBWA – 12 (+3)

D1Baseball – 13 (+1)

USAToday Coaches Poll – 14 (+1)

Baseball America – 16 (+1)

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Perfect Game – 20th (-)

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