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NC State Baseball: The Case For and Against Elliott Avent

Published

3 years ago

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Photo Credit: News & Observer

 

To be a Power 5 coach, regardless of sport, there is an understanding of added pressure and scrutiny. Not sure there is a more “for or against” coach right now at State, than Elliott Avent. I’ll preface by saying, I’ve always been a fan of his, but at some point you wonder if we’re all just settling for the familiar.

 

Big Wins, Bigger Losses

This week, Avent hit the 900 win milestone, something that has only been done by the rare few. In fact, if you include his time at New Mexico State, he ranks in the top-7 all-time in DI baseball wins for coaches currently at the helm. Here’s the problem, even though he’s had double digit 40+ win seasons over his near 25 year career, State has never won an ACC tournament, let alone finished first in the ACC regular season standings.

Winning it all is a tough task. Mike Martin, former FSU coach, broke just about every record possible during his 40 year tenure. Two dozen 50+ win seasons, 17 ACC championships (Regular and Tournament), handfuls of MLB draftees, but not a single National Championship. But at least he, more often than not, brought home hardware.

Not to say we shouldn’t hope for National Championships and College World Series bids, but we gotta at least get over this conference championship drought first.

 

Any Forward Momentum?

Baseball is such a long season. Every year has bad streaks and good runs. Look at State’s 2013 College World Series season. There was at one point they went 1-5 in a week, while starting that same month of March with a 24-12 loss TO ELON (good God). Out of the last 17 full seasons, State has made the NCAA’s 15 times, and were in contention last year, as they started 14-3.

But every season, at least in the last five full, feels identical. Finish top-3 in the Atlantic, get into the NCAA Regionals, find a way to be bounced early. The TCU 8-run meltdown in 2015. The dreadful losses to Army and Campbell in following years. The latter two seasons, knocked out immediately in the ACCT.

At what point is getting to postseason play not enough? Should we be happy to be in contention or realize our ceiling is NCAA Regionals? Does the State program just not have the ability, regardless of coach, to be a big-time baseball school?

 

The Love of Avent

I’ll say this with all my heart; Avent is Mr. Wolfpack. Every coach at State loves their job (I think, haha), but Avent LOVES his job and this institution. While others get fired up about their players, it seems Avent might take off his shirt one day and have every player’s name tattooed on his back under a hugging Mr. and Mrs. Wuf.

One of my favorite moments each year, is the introductory media press conference. His eyes are always bright, smile is always big, he can’t wait to coach these young men.

Maybe in the near future, State looks in another direction for a head coach of State baseball, but no one will love their job more than Avent.

 

What’s Next?

I meant to write something here that was poetic…but in short…State needs to find their groove and salvage what they can from this year. When they’re on, they’re on. When they aren’t, it’s a long, long day/weekend at the ballpark.

Regardless of what happens, not sure the results from this season will keep Avent away from being head ball coach next year. The COVID situation seems to be giving a whole lotta folks passes, and it seems no different at State.

But, if 2022 ends up falling apart for one reason or another, it might be a sad day for the Avent faithful, myself included.

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Passionate State fan that just wants to win...something...like anything...

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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU

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3 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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#20 NC State will head down to Tallahassee tomorrow for a 3-game series against #7 FSU. Before they do, here’s a look at where NC State is projected to land in the 2024 NCAA Tournament as things currently stand.

Last week, both D1Baseball and Baseball America projected the Wolfpack to play as a #2 seed in the Greenville Regional (ECU), with the former projecting the Pirates to be a #6 seed, and the latter projecting them to be a #8 seed.

This week, D1Baseball has NC State as a #2 seed in the Lexington Regional, with Kentucky as a #5 seed. Baseball America still has the Wolfpack as a #2 seed in the Greenville Region, with the Pirates still sitting as a #8 seed.

D1Baseball

Baseball America

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NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Loses 4-5 to UNCW, Losing 5th Straight Midweek Game

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2 days ago

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April 30, 2024

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#20 NC State lost to UNC-Wilmington 4-5 this evening at home, losing their 5th straight midweek game. The Wolfpack were swept by the Seahawks this year, ironically losing 4-5 down in Wilmington on April 9th.

Freshman Ryan Marohn got the starting nod, and he was excellent, giving up 1 earned run in 5 innings pitched, striking out 7. It was arguably his best start since his collegiate debut against VCU in the opening series.

Sophomore Shane Van Dam was Mr. Reliable through much of the season, but he hasn’t had his best stuff as of late. This evening, he faced four batters, hitting 2, walking another, and surrendering a hit to the other. Van Dam failed to record an out, and gave up 3 earned runs. Heading into the UNC game back on April 18th, Van Dam had a 2.63 ERA. After the past 4 appearances, his ERA has shot up to 3.96.

Freshman Jacob Dudan settled things down, pitching 4 scoreless innings, giving up only 1 hit, while striking out 5.

Unfortunately, Sophomore Derrick Smith allowed the Seahawks to score a run in the Top of the 10th, which was enough for the opposing team to leave Raleigh with a win, with NC State failing to score a run in the final 5 frames.

Junior Jacob Cozart continues an insane power surge, hitting two more Home Runs tonight. Cozart has hit 7 Home Runs in the past 6 games.

Cozart now has 14 Home Runs on the year. His previous career high was 11.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington also hit a Solo Home Run, his 11th bomb of the year.

On Friday, the Wolfpack will head down to Tallahassee for a 3-game series against #7 Florida State.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Outfielder Josh Hogue Out for Remainder of the Season

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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NC State will be without Sophomore Right Fielder Josh Hogue for the remainder of the season. Hogue unfortunately suffered a fractured leg due to a collision with Center Fielder Eli Serrano III on Saturday, with both players diving for a ball in the outfield.

Hogue will have to undergo surgery, and he is expected to be out 4 months.

This is a huge loss for the Wolfpack. Hogue has been batting 3rd in NC State’s lineup, with the 3rd best batting average on the squad (.314) and 4th best OPS (.848).

On Sunday, Freshman 2nd Baseman Luke Nixon moved out to Right Field to fill the void, and his brother Chase Nixon was in Right. Starter Senior Noah Soles has been out since the Notre Dame Series at the end of March, but he has been taking batting practice and should be returning soon.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Jumps Up in Top-25 Rankings After Ball St. Sweep

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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After sweeping Ball State this past weekend, NC State jumped up in almost all of the Top-25 polls.

Baseball America – 13th (+4)

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RPI – 20th (+9)

D1Baseball – 20th (+1)

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USAToday Coaches Poll – 20th (+3)

Perfect Game – 25th (-)

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