North Carolina State Wolfpack
ACC (38-15, 19-11)
North Carolina State baseball has enjoyed a meteoric rise back into the nation’s elite in 2012. They have secured their highest conference finish since 1993 and are riding plenty of momentum heading into the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. To finish third in the ACC during the regular season is no small accomplishment as it could be argued that the ACC Conference Tourney is more competitive than the College World Series as eight teams are in the RPI Top 40. A run at a third Super Regional during Elliott Avent’s tenure is definitely a strong possibility.
Big Wins: 3/24 at North Carolina (3-1), 3/28 vs. East Carolina ( 4-3, 11 Inn.), 3/30, 4/1 vs. Virginia (5-1, 7-6), 4/14, 4/15 at Clemson (3-1, 6-3), 5/17 at Florida State (10-5)
Bad Losses: 4/6, 4/8 at Maryland (4-0, 7-6), 4/17 at Campbell (6-8), 4/20 vs. Boston College (10-11),
Coach: Elliott Avent (14 seasons at North Carolina State)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Wolfpack can absolutely kill you with small ball when they are executing at a championship level. Freshman sensation Trea Turner has over 50 stolen bases and has been a nightmare for opposing teams to slow down. Carlos Rodon has pitched beyond his years as he earned the ACC Freshman of the Year award. Chris Diaz has been another tone setter hitting nearly .380. Also, just the confidence this team has garnered by competing at a high level this year in the rugged ACC conference is a big plus.
Why They Can Disappoint:
If the young players don’t hold up well under the pressure of the postseason spotlight, a deep run into the tournament could be cut short. Also, if teams find a way to shut down the Wolfpack running game then that also would be an issue that could become very difficult to overcome for NC State. Finally, the draw… if they get a tough regionally based draw with teams like East Carolina or Coastal Carolina, that could make things very interesting in a hurry.
Key Field Players:
Chris Diaz, Junior, IF, .369 BA, 49 RBI
Ryan Matthews, Redshirt Senior, OF, .343 BA, 14 HR, 52 RBI
Danny Canela, Junior, C/IF, .340 BA, 6 HR, 42 RBI
Trea Turner, Freshman, IF, .340 BA, 38 RBI, 54 SB
Key Pitchers:
Carlos Rodon, Freshman, Starting Pitcher, 1.59 ERA, 9-0 W/L, 96.0 IP, 114 SO
Ethan Ogburn, Junior, Starting Pitcher, 3.04 ERA, 4-3 W/L, 71.0 IP, 58 SO
By the Numbers:
Batting Average: .294 (49th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Offense: 6.9 (16, 2)
Doubles per Game: 2.40 (4, 1)
Triples per Game: 0.25 (124, 7)
Home Runs per Game: 0.64 (62, 6)
Slugging Percentage: .432 (37, 2)
Stolen Bases per Game: 1.74 (17, 1)
Earned Run Average: 3.25 (40, 4)
Fielding Percentage: .968 (118, 8)
Double Plays per Game: 1.02 (21, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2011 | Regional | lost to Stetson, defeated Georgia Southern, eliminated by Stetson |
| 2010 | Regional | lost to Charleston, eliminated by Stony Brook |
| 2008 | Regional | defeated James Madison, defeated South Carolina, defeated South Carolina |
| 2008 | Super Regional | eliminated by Georgia |
| 2007 | Regional | lost to Charlotte, defeated Wofford, eliminated by Charlotte |
| 2006 | Regional | lost to Stanford, defeated Texas Arlington, defeated Texas, eliminated by Stanford |
*all team stats through 5/20
See All Baseball Postseason Capsules
