NC State’s History in the College World Series

NC State will begin play in their 4th College World Series in school history today at 2pm against #2 overall seed Kentucky. In 2 of their 3 appearances, the Wolfpack has made the Semifinals. Here’s a look at NC State’s history in the CWS.

In 2021, the Wolfpack, who was not a national seed, defeated #9 seed Stanford 10-4 in the first game. In their next game, NC State defeated #4 seed Vanderbilt 1-0. Sam Highfill went toe-to-toe with Jack Leiter, and won, pitching 7.1 scoreless innings, with 7 strikeouts. Game 3 will always be known as the Pack13 game, because only 13 Wolfpack players were allowed to play due to Covid-19 protocols. Highfill, who pitched in the previous game, played 1st Base, and went 3 for 4. There was one more game to be played between the Wolfpack and the Commodores, and the winner would advance to the College World Series Finals, but the game would never be played. In the middle of the night before the game, around 2am, the NCAA ruled NC State ineligible due to Covid-19 protocols.

In 2013, NC State was a Regional Host, but not 1 of the 8 National Seeds (now there are 16). The Wolfpack defeated rival UNC 8-1, who was the #1 overall seed in the tournament, in the opening game. In Game 2, NC State fell to UCLA 2-1. Sadly, the Tar Heels got their retribution in Game 3, eliminating the Wolfpack in a 7-0 shutout.

In 1968, NC State made their College World Series debut in the 22nd year of the event. The Wolfpack defeated Southern Illinois 7-6 in Game 1, and then fell to St. John’s 3-2 in the 12th inning in Game 2. The Wolfpack stayed alive, defeating Texas 6-5 in Game 3, before falling to Southern California 2-0 in the Semifinals.