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NC State Baseball with HUGE Opportunity to Solidify #2 Seed

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3 years ago

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The run that State baseball has been on is incredible. A short time ago, even with signs of getting hot, didn’t think we would be discussing the possibility of a #2 seed in the NCAAT. But here we are.

Over the last month, State has gone 13-3. Two losses were to #7 ranked Notre Dame, the third a weird slugfest in Winston-Salem. In short, it couldn’t have gone much better for the Wolfpack, even their losses during the stretch, don’t hurt them much. So let’s dig down and see where they might end up for both ACCT and NCAAT.

Resume

Currently, the Pack hold a 23-14 record (14-13 in ACC). Their RPI continues to climb, as they are now 37th in the country, while having the 27th toughest schedule. The seven wins against nationally ranked clubs, over the last five weeks, will only help in the recency bias division of bracket building. With a field of 64, they seemed primed for a #2 seed if they can finish out the season at a steady pace. Baseball America currently has them as a low #2, meaning a trip to Mississippi State or Vandy.

 

Remaining Schedule and Scenarios

This is a dream scenario. Take a red hot Wolfpack club and have their remaining games be against ranked (#15) Pitt, followed by Florida State, the school directly ahead of them in ACC standings. While the Pitt series is on the road, State holds a stellar 12-3 record away from Doak. Win two series and this season officially goes from, “let this be over” to “we are going to make some absolute noise.”

 

–If State sweeps Pitt and FSU: They’re a lock for a high #2 seed, potentially ranked fourth overall in the ACC and have the opportunity to go  deep into the ACCT. The road in June becomes easier heading to a host like Louisiana Tech or even Charlotte.

–Series wins against Pitt and FSU: Still #2 seed, but middle of the pack, maybe head to Florida or Texas Tech for NCAAT.

–Split Series: Bottom side of #2 seed. That’s where they’d potentially be heading to a big boy SEC school for NCAAT. Also would stay in their #3 ACC Atlantic position.

-Loser Loser: No bueno. State falls to #3 Seed, but should at least be in the top half of those and settles in against Tennessee or Arizona. They would also slip back to fifth in Atlantic for ACCT.

In short, play consistent and they’ll be seeded well for both tournaments.

 

What’s Working

Pitching: Johnston, Villaman and Willadsen, with Highfill thrown in, gets you decent starting depth. The biggest factor during this run, has been stable pitching that has gotten late into games. The ability to confidently put out one of those three, and know you still have some inning eaters in the pen, gives Avent hope they can make a run.

Hitting: A week ago, Tyler McDonough won National Player of the Week honors, and it was easy to see why. During a six game stretch, SIX dingers and TEN RBI’s, while batting .380. State is nationally ranked in the Top-20 for Home Runs and 27th in Runs per Game. In the last 10 games, they are plating an average of 8.3 runs a game.

 

 

 

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

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NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Falls to #7 FSU 1-8 in Sunday Afternoon Bout

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1 hour ago

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May 5, 2024

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The 20th ranked NC State Baseball team lost to #7 FSU 1-8 on the road this afternoon. After yesterday’s game was cancelled due to weather, the Wolfpack head back to Raleigh splitting the series with the Seminoles.

Sophomore Dominic Fritton gave up 5 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched, walking 4. Senior Logan Whitaker made his return from injury, and gave up 3 earned runs in 1 inning pitched, walking 3. The Wolfpack bullpen wouldn’t allow another run the rest of the way, but their bats simply couldn’t muster any runs against FSU’s Dorsey and Hults.

The Wolfpack wasn’t without their offensive opportunities. They had 7 hits, which matched FSU’s total. NC State left 10 runners on base, while the Seminoles left 7.

Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz and Sophomore 2nd Baseman Matt Heavner both had 2 hits. Part of the Wolfpack’s problem, was the fact that only 1 of their 7 hits was an extra-base hit, and that was a Double by A-Mak. Makerewicz is batting .356 on the year.

Despite the loss, NC State heads into this week having clinched a spot in the 2024 ACC Tournament.

With a 13-10 ACC record, the Wolfpack currently sit 3rd in the Atlantic Division.

NC State will host Norfolk St. in a midweek game on Tuesday night at 7pm, and then will hit the road for a series against #11 Virginia next weekend.

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NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Upsets #7 FSU 8-7 in Game 1 Down in Tallahassee

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2 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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#20 NC State upset #7 Florida St. 8-7 in the series opener down in Tallahassee this evening.

Freshman Cooper Consiglio was the hero on the mound this evening, coming in after Senior Sam Highfill and Sophomore Shane Van Dam, pitching 4.1 innings, while giving up only 1 earned run and striking out 5. It was probably Consiglio’s best performance of his collegiate career, marking the first time he’s ever pitched 4 innings, and given up 1 run or less. He now is 2-4 on the year with a 5.66 ERA.

Sophomore Derrick Smith picked up his 4th Save of the year, failing to give up a hit in 1.2 innings pitched, while striking out 3.

Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart got things started off for the Wolfpack in the Top of the 2nd hitting his 9th Home Run in the past 9 games, and his 15th of the year.

Sophomore 2nd Baseman Matt Heavner led the Pack with 2 RBI’s tonight. The first followed Cozart’s bomb, hitting a Single in the Top of the 2nd that scored Sophomore Left Fielder Luke Nixon. Then Junior Chase Nixon hit a Single, and 2 NC State runners scored due to a wild throw.

Then in the Top of the 3rd, Heavner knocked in another run with a Sac Bunt, that scored Luke Nixon.

Then Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III hit an RBI Single that scored Chase Nixon, giving the Wolfpack a 6-2 lead.

In the Top of the 6th, Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz hit a solo Home Run, his 18th of the season.

In the same inning, Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth scored on a wild pitch, giving the Wolfpack their 8th run of the evening.

Senior starting Pitcher Sam Highfill was only able to pitch 2 innings, giving up 2 earned runs. Sophomore Shane Van Dam continues to struggle in relief, giving up 3 earned runs in 1 inning. His ERA is now up to 5.17. Van Dam left the game with an injury, which might have led to his exit.

The Wolfpack and the Seminoles will play Game 2 tomorrow at 7pm.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU

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4 days 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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5 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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