After a seriously promising start on Friday that saw the team knock off Campbell, the NC State baseball team got bounced out of the NCAA Tournament. To honor a classically up-and-down campaign, the Pack lost both games in the double-elimination regional in vastly different ways.
In the Saturday evening game, the Wolfpack lost 6-3, clawing back from a six-run deficit to repeatedly threaten host South Carolina with hard-hit balls. Despite out-hitting the Gamecocks 12-8, State hit into three double plays and left a dozen runners on base in a frustrating defeat.
On Sunday, the Pack had nothing, giving up runs in each of the first four innings to fall behind 8-0 before eventually losing 11-1. NC State ace and one-time College World Series hero Sam Highfill gave up seven hits and five runs in just two-and-a-third innings. The Wolfpack drilled 11 more hits, but grounded into four more double plays and managed to go 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
With most feeling this NC State team left a lot of meat on the bone, the criticism of manager Elliott Avent feels different this year. A lack of situational awareness plagued the Pack all year, and with rumors about a very busy transfer portal looming, Avent & Co. are in for a dramatic offseason.
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