North Carolina State Wolfpack
Overall Rank: #37
Conference Rank: #6 ACC
North Carolina State Team Page
After reaching their eighth NCAA Tournament in nine years, Coach Elliott Avent will field a talent rich squad to make another run. The most winning coach in the 104 year history of Wolfpack baseball returns two MLB draftees, the majority of his pitching staff and brings in 13 newcomers, three who were drafted out of high school.
2011: 35-27, 15-15
2011 Postseason: NCAA Eliminated in Columbia NCAA Regional (two losses to Stetson)
Coach: Elliott Avent, 15th Season
Field Players:
The Wolfpack did lose two of their top hitters, Pratt Maynard and Harold Riggins, to the MLB draft, but they bring back a solid group of seasoned infielders who have the capability to fill the void. Junior shortstop Chris Diaz turned in a stellar defensive season in 2011, fielding .979. He had two long streaks, his first 19 games and last 22 games, where he committed no errors. At the plate Diaz was third on the team in average at .306 behind Maynard and Riggins. Second baseman Matt Bergquist also was outstanding in support of his team, fielding .960 and making just 11 errors in over 260 chances. At the plate he had 46 RBI’s, the most on the team. The junior came on strong at the end of the season, leading the team during ACC play with a .330 average and 22 RBI’s. He put together a 12-game hitting streak in May and, over the last 24 games, Bergquist hit .347 and had 25 RBI’s.
Pitchers:
Together Cory Mazzoni and Rob Chamra started 26 games and won 14 for NC State in 2011. Both were lost to the draft, but the Wolfpack return a staff of starters who have had success and experience. Junior Ethan Ogburn worked as a starter and out of the bullpen. The right hander started eight games, made 20 appearances, and finished 6-4, with a 4.52 ERA, working 65 innings. Junior Danny Healey returns after making 11 starts last season. Junior right hander Chris Overman was the Wolfpack’s best reliever. He led the staff in 2011 with a 2.39 ERA. He collected six wins in 30 appearances, earning seven saves in 49 innings. Overman was outstanding, not allowing a run in his last eight outings. Left handed freshman, Carlos Rodon will add to the rotation in 2012. Rodon was a High School All-American, going 11-0 with a 1.40 ERA at NC Poly High School. Rodon was the 491st pick in the 2011 draft, but chose to pass to play at NC State.
Who to Watch:
MLB Draftees Brett Williams, John Gianis, Brett Austin and Trea Turner will be on the Wolfpack roster in 2012. Upperclassmen Williams and Gianis return after solid seasons. Williams, a senior outfielder, led the team in triples, homeruns, steals and runs scored. He played in all 62 NC State games in 2011, playing well down the stretch, hitting .333 in the last 14 games. Senior outfielder Gianis hit .290 in league play last season. Freshmen Austin and Turner come in highly touted. Austin is a catcher and was a HS All-American. In his senior year he hit .537, launched 12 HR’s and stole 14 bases. Turner is an infielder from Park Vista HS in Florida and hit .486 in his last prep season.
Final Projection:
Though the Wolfpack lost some accomplished athletes to the pros, Avent has retained a veteran cadre and added a large group of young talent to his squad for the 2012 season. If Ogburn, Healey and Rodon can fill Mazzoni and Chamra’s shoes, the Wolfpack will be formidable on the hill. Coupled with the return of solid defenders Diaz and Bergquist up the middle, NC State will be a tough competitor in the ACC. Ryan Matthew’s emergence in the Coastal Plain League over the summer will be a welcome addition to the offense and should round out the Wolfpack attack and help them return to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in ten years.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Brett Williams, OF, 241
Hits: Brett Williams, OF, 68
Home Runs: Brett Williams, OF, 6
RBIs: Andrew Ciencin, IF, 35; Brett Williams, OF, 35
Runs: Brett Williams, OF, 46
Stolen Bases: Brett Williams, OF, 9
Wins: Chris Overman, P and Ethan Ogburn, P, 6
Innings Pitched: Ethan Ogburn, P, 61.2
Strikeouts: Josh Easley, P, 53
Saves: Chris Overman, P, 7
