Previewing NC State’s NCAAT Opponent: Bryant

NC State will kickoff their 2024 NCAA Baseball Tournament run this evening at 7pm against Bryant on ESPN+ at Doak Field in Raleigh. This marks the first time that the two teams have ever faced one another on the diamond.

The Bulldogs are 36-19 record this season, and 1-6 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. Bryant won their first America East Championship last weekend.

As a team, the Bulldogs are batting .282 with a .394 OBP, 123 doubles, 81 home runs, a .490 slugging % and 54 stolen bases. The 81 home runs represent the most pop in a single season in school history.

In regards to Bryant’s pitching staff, they led their conference in ERA (5.27).

Senior Austin Wainer will be the starting pitcher for the Bulldogs this evening (Senior Sam Highfill will be pitching for the Wolfpack), and he boasts a 7-2 record with a 4.03 ERA on the year.

The Bulldog offense is averaging 7.5 runs per game on the year.

Senior Gavin Noriega was the America East Player of the Year this season, batting .338 with an OPS of 1.167 and 18 home runs.

Sophomore Zac Zyons won the America East Batting Title, hitting .377 on the year. He also has an OPS of 1.088.

Senior Carmine Petosa has reached base in all 55 games this season, which is an absurd stat. He has reached base in 58 games dating back to last season, which is a program record. Petosa is batting .321 with 14 home runs, with an OPS of 1.119.