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Former NC State Standouts Rodon and Turner Make First MLB All-Star Game

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3 years ago

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It’s been quite a year for State baseball. Not only did this current State team make a run at a national championship, but so many former players are putting in work from MiLB through MLB. The newest big news, is that both Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner will make their debut in a MLB All-Star Game.

How is this Turner’s First ASG?

It would seem like even the most casual observer of baseball would have assumed Turner has been there before. Turner finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, then just last year, was mentioned in MVP discussions. He consistently leads Shortstops in just about every metric known to man. All of this to say, this shouldn’t be his first ASG.

This year, he’s been on an absolute tear. At the halfway point, assuming second half is equal, he’ll have a career year in Home Runs (on pace for 30), RBIs (78) and Hits (204). Currently hitting .321 with a 86% steal percentage (18 for 21), he’s doing everything for the Nationals. By hitting his third career cycle this year, Turner moved into baseball lore becoming only the fourth player to have three career cycles since 1900.

Unfortunately for Turner, a guy by the name of Fernando Tatis, Jr also happens to be in the National League and will get the start. No doubt this won’t be Turner’s last ASG, just hope this becomes more routine than it’s been thus far.

Resurgence of Rodon

There were times not too long ago, that Rodon was done for.

In just the last couple of years, he’s pitched less than 50 innings with two arm surgeries. There were worries about his future in Chicago. With a losing record, although when he’s on he’s on as we can see, White Sox were only able to give him a one-year deal this offseason. Then he made history with a no-hitter against Cleveland and hasn’t stopped since.

With an ERA of 2.37 and 122 strikeouts (good for 13th in baseball), he’s been as consistent as ever during his career. A 6-3 record has helped the White Sox to a first place standing in the AL Central heading into the ASG break. Without a doubt, well deserved string of success for the big lefty. Hope that this leads plenty of suitors this offseason for a contract.

 

This year’s festivities moved from Atlanta to Denver. Future’s game starts on Sunday (July 11th), Home Run Derby Monday (12th) and All-Star Game on Tuesday (13th).

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NC State Baseball

#17 NC State’s Late Game Heroics Strike Again, Defeating #8 Wake Forest 9-6 to Complete the Sweep

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3 hours ago

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May 18, 2024

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#17 NC State’s late game heroics continued this afternoon, defeating #8 Wake Forest 9-6 in dramatic fashion late in the game for the 3rd straight game, completing the sweep of the Demon Deacons.

With the game tied 6-6, the Wolfpack scored 3 runs in the Bottom of the 8th inning, that would end up being the winning runs. With 2 outs, Freshman Alex Sosa scored on a throwing error, and Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington followed that up with a 2 RBI Double.

Senior Starting Pitcher Logan Whitaker gave up 5 runs (1 unearned) in 4 innings pitched, striking out 5, while walking none. Freshman Ryan Marohn was fabulous in relief, giving up only 1 earned run in 4 innings pitched, striking out 4. Marohn has been extremely dependable as a True Freshman. After picking up the Win today, he boasts a 4-2 record with a 3.60 ERA.

Sophomore Derrick Smith came in to close things out in the Bottom of the 9th, and in electric fashion, he struck out all three batters to pick up his 5th Save of the season.

Sosa had himself a day, putting the Pack on the board in the Bottom of the 2nd with an RBI Single, which was followed up by a Solo Home Run in the Bottom of the 6th inning.

Pennington and Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart both had 3 RBI’s this afternoon. Pennington not only hit his 2 RBI Double in the Bottom of the 8th, but he also hit an RBI Single in the Bottom of the 5th. Cozart hit a 3-run bomb in the bottom of the 6th.

Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III and Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz also had multi-hit performances. Serrano III was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a Run, while A-Mak was 2 for 1 with a Run.

With the victory, NC State secured the #3 seed in this upcoming weeks 2024 ACC Tournament, and more than likely locked up a spot as a Regional Host in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

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NC State Baseball

With a Win Today, #17 NC State Will Secure a Top-4 Spot in the 2024 ACC Baseball Tournament

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10 hours ago

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May 18, 2024

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After last night’s dramatic walk-off victory over #8 Wake Forest, #17 NC State is 17-11 in ACC play, and if the season were to end today, the Wolfpack would a Top-4 seed in next weeks ACC Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.

UNC has locked up the #1 seed (21-9), and Clemson has locked up the #2 seed (19-10)

NC State and FSU are tied with conference records of 17-11, but as things currently stand, the Wolfpack would be the #3 seed over FSU. NC State currently holds the edge over the Seminoles according to tie breaker rules. In head-to-head games, the two teams split. The Wolfpack hold the edge due to having a better Divisional record.

Here are the scenarios for the Pack heading into the regular season finale against Wake Forest this afternoon:

NC State will secure the #3 spot if they win today in the series finale against Wake Forest.

If NC State loses, FSU loses, and UVA loses, NC State will secure the #3 seed.

If NC State loses, FSU loses, and UVA wins, NC State would secure the #4 seed.

If NC State loses, FSU wins and UVA loses, the Wolfpack will secure the #4 seed.

If NC State loses, FSU wins and UVA wins, the Wolfpack will fall out of the Top-4, and be the #5 seed.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Hosting a Regional in the 2024 NCAA Tournament is Looking Likely

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13 hours ago

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May 18, 2024

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After beating #8 Wake Forest in walk-off fashion for the 2nd straight night, securing a series victory over the Demon Deacons, #17 NC State is looking like they are in a prime position to be a Regional Host in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The Wolfpack have an overall record of 31-19, and rank 3rd overall in the ACC with a 17-11 record.

As things currently stand, NC State ranks 15th in the RPI heading into their final game of the regular season.

Their resume is juicy, with Series Victories over 4 Top-10 teams (Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson & UVA), and 5 Top-12 teams (UNC). That’s not including the fact that they split a 2-game series against a Top-10 team in FSU.

With a win today in the series finale, there shouldn’t even be a debate.

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NC State Baseball

#17 NC State Walks-It-Off for the 2nd Night in a Row Against #8 Wake Forest, Winning 2-1

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23 hours ago

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May 18, 2024

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For the 2nd night in a row, #17 NC State defeated #8 Wake Forest in walk-off fashion, when Senior Noah Soles drew a Walk with the bases loaded.

Sophomore Dominic Fritton gave up only 1 earned run in 4.2 innings, striking out 5. The bullpen handled business after Fritton left the game. Sophomore Andrew Shaffner and Freshman Jacob Dudan combined for 4.1 innings of no-hit baseball. Combined, the NC State pitching staff held the Demon Deacons to only 3 hits.

Junior Chase Nixon was the source of the only other Wolfpack RBI via a Single in the 6th inning, driving home his brother Luke.

NC State clinched a series victory against Wake Forest for the first time since 2021, and the first time at home since 2018.

The Wolfpack should have locked up a spot as a Regional Host in the upcoming 2024 NCAA Tournament with a series victory over #8 Wake Forest. NC State now has 4 series victories against Top-10 teams, and 5 Top-12 teams.

NC State will close out the regular season tomorrow in the series finale against Wake Forest at 3pm.

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