NC State Baseball
Vonwolf: The Return of NC State Baseball Meant a Return of Emotions
This weekend, State welcomed back the baseball team that literally captured the attention of the nation this summer. For the first time since parting campus, members of the State baseball team returned to get their rings and be cheered by tens of thousands at Carter-Finley.
It got me all in the feels.
Everyday, minute by minute, for a two month stretch, we all followed this team and the possibilities of endless success. Climbing all the way back from the basement of the ACC, to be considered THEE team to beat. The fury at regionals in Louisiana. The dramatic insanity in Arkansas. All the very highs and very lows of Omaha. Seeing the team at Carter-Finley and the roar of the crowd caused an endless wave of goosebumps.
Couldn’t have asked for a better ovation at CFS on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/RL7jlzJFVB
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) November 22, 2021
Ring Time
The wait was long, but the team finally got their rings. With a massive exit by players drafted, the gorgeous November night was the best opportunity to gather everyone back. As only Avent would have it, the slobbering wolf made it’s presence known.
I’m just going to say it…the ring is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on…
Diamonds on diamonds, with slobbering wolf front and center. Block ‘S’ and name on one side, College World Series logo on other. Hidden on the bottom and inside, “America’s Team” and Pack 13. Just awesome.
A ring fit for America’s Team. pic.twitter.com/ERlRY55jD3
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) November 20, 2021
Familiar Faces Return
When the team returned home to Raleigh this summer, greeted by thousands of Wolfpack faithful, it was an amazing site to behold. Can only imagine the team’s mental and physical exhaustion. Yet to feel the energy and love, was a memorable moment for all involved.
However, the following weeks were nothing short of awkward and frustrating.
Lack of answers and atrocious communication by State and NCAA officials. In what felt like a team that could return just about everyone and make a run at Omaha again, it was understandable when many players chose the MLB route. The respect shown by WPN can only go so far, and the time had come to clean the slate.
All that to say, seeing smiles, laughs and hugs amongst teammates that truly feel as though they’re life-long brothers was a treat. It seemed that, for at least a fleeting moment, there was normalcy and celebrations to be had.
The Future is Bright
This team built something special, even if the end results were less than ideal. The State program has never been in a better place, from scouting to motivation in taking the next steps. The run has solidified Avent as one of State’s most beloved characters. National attention has hopefully been the tipping point for getting much needed facilities upgrades.
We’ll never have that same kind of experience ever again. The string of defining moment after defining moment. It’ll all make for a compelling documentary someday.
I just hope this all leads to the crowning moment, when State wins it all.
Until then, thank you to this baseball squad. Enjoy your spotlight, you absolutely deserve it.
#21 NC State convincingly defeated Ball State 10-2 in the series opener in Raleigh this evening.
Senior Sam Highfill pitched a Quality Start against the Cardinals, giving up 2 earned runs in 6 innings, while striking out 6. The Quality Start was Highfill’s 3rd of the season, and his record on the year is now 4-1.
Freshman Ryan Marohn was brilliant in relief, pitching 3 scoreless innings, giving up only 1 hit, while striking out 3. Marohn picked up his 1st Save of his collegiate career.
Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz was the Wolfpack’s Offensive MVP, going 2 for 4, with a Grand Slam.
17 homers, 55 RBI and another GRAND SLAM for A-Mak 💣#Pack9 | @Alec_mak99 pic.twitter.com/fTBCrh5afv
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 26, 2024
Makarewica now has 17 Home Runs and 55 RBI’s.
Sophomore Right Fielder Josh Hogue, Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart, Junior Left Fielder Chase Nixon, Freshman 2nd Baseman Luke Nixon and Sophomore Matt Heavner all had an RBI apiece.
Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth was the only player besides A-Mak to have multiple hits, going 2 for 4 with a Double.
Game 2 is tomorrow at 3pm.
#21 NC State is coming off of a series victory over UNC this past weekend, and a loss to #7 ECU on the road last night. Where does NC State project to land in the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
The Wolfpack have already seen the Pirates twice this season, but according to D1Baseball and Baseball America, they might not be done playing ECU. Both of them project NC State to be a #2 seed in the Greenville Regional, with D1Baseball projecting the Pirates as the #6 seed and Baseball America projecting them as the #8 seed.
NC State has plenty of baseball left to play, with series against UVA (#14), FSU (#10) and Wake Forest (#8). If the Wolfpack can handle business in 2 of those 3 series, you could make an argument for NC State hosting their own regional.
D1Baseball
Baseball America
#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 👏 ON 👏 THE 👏 ATTACK 👏#Pack9 | @Alec_mak99 pic.twitter.com/7Lps43hXow
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 23, 2024
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.
Hogue Homer 💪#Pack9 | @JoshHogue5 pic.twitter.com/CMV3rCQu4B
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 23, 2024
‘Zart completes the trifecta 🤌 pic.twitter.com/gipiWvbcFb
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 23, 2024
NC State will look to flush this loss, and get ready for a 3-game series at home this weekend against Ball State.
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.