Just a quick update to start things off. I intentionally waited to post this so that the post-weekend basketball semi-meltdown would have subsided but even I underestimated that. So this update now gets “Vulcan mind melded” (see, I read the threads too!) with the week’s preview…and put up later than anticipated.
First off, let me say that the #NCStateSh!t quotient in the universe seems to unfortunately be on the upswing. In all likelihood, not even casual fans are unaware that the Pack’s basketball fortunes took a dramatic hit this weekend when first the Pack fell in the regular season finale vs FSU in Tallahassee, but then the #NCStateyouknowwhat found it’s way into the Maryland locker room apparently, as they proceeded to blow a double digit lead and then find more ways to NOT score down the stretch against a less than formidable UVa squad, thus relegating the Pack to the Thursday schedule of the ACC Tourney (Holy run-on sentence Batman).
But what some of you may not know is that the #NCStateSh!t was in full swing long before either of those two things happened.
With Clemson in town for the weekend, Carlos Rodon took the hill for the Pack on Friday. For the most part he was vintage Carlos thru three innings, including striking out the side in the 2nd. After three innings the Pack led 4-0 behind a two run HR from Will Nance, a solo shot from Trea Turner his 5th of the year, and a heads up play on the basepaths by Tarran Senay when he got himself caught in a rundown in the 3rd. The out ended the inning, but getting himself caught in the rundown, rather than being caught stealing, gave Brett Williams time to score from third.
Then in the 4th, Rodon started off seamlessly, striking out the Tigers’ Steve Wilkerson to begin the inning. But unfortunately that’s when the wheels came off. He walked the next batter, plunked the one after that, and advanced both when he threw the ball away on a failed pick-off attempt. The next three batters he faced would all reach on base hits and by the time the bleeding stopped the Tigers had plated three runs in the inning.
In the 5th, with the Pack still nursing a one run lead, the hit parade continued. Rodon would eventually exit in favor of Travis Orwig out of the bullpen, but not before giving up 8 runs on 8 hits in 4.1 innings. He struck out 8, walked 3 and also hit 2 batters. The Pack would go on to lose to Clemson by a final score of 10-5.
But believe it or not, the loss and the Rodon implosion weren’t the worst things to happen to Pack Baseball on Friday. To add injury to insult (yeah, I know that’s backwards but bear with me), on the very last play of Friday’s game, Trea Turner was trying to leg out an infield hit when he stepped on the bag awkwardly and injured himself. His injury turned out to be a very severe high ankle sprain. He’s currently wearing a protective boot and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks for the recovery.
It could be worse, but it’s still a huge blow to the Pack’s baseball fortunes at least in the short term. Assuming his recovery follows that 4-6 week window, that would have him back sometime between the VT series (4/5-4/7)) and the GT series (4/19-4/21).
No. 8 Pack Falls 10-5 to Clemson (GoPack.com)
Saturday Roundup: N.C. State Loses Series—And Trea Turner (BaseballAmerica.com)
The Pack would again fall to the Tigers on Saturday, 7-4, but would bounce back to salvage the Sunday matinee by a final score of 4-1.
State Edged 7-4 on Saturday (GoPack.com)
No. 8 State Outlasts Clemson 4-1 (GoPack.com)
With the 1-2 weekend, the Pack’s overall record is now 12-4, 1-2 in conference.
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Tuesday evening the Pack welcomes the Quinnipiac Bobcats to town. First pitch is currently scheduled for 6pm. The only thing I know about Quinnipiac, besides the fact that their mascot is “Boomer the Bobcat”, is that they’re located in Hamden Connecticut. Well, I also know they’ve won four games against two losses (all on the road) so far this season, including a sweep of George Washington. Follow the link below and do even just a little bit of reading and you’ll know way more than me about them, trust me.
Quinnipiac Bobcats Baseball (QuinnipiacBobcats.com)
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On The Horizon
Old Dominion University (they’re in Norfolk and are the Monarchs, btw…I guess that syncs with a blue lion named “Big Blue”…kinda) comes to town for a Wednesday game at Doak Field. First pitch for that one is currently scheduled for 6pm. Follow the linky below and you’ll know more about them than me also.
Old Dominion Monarchs Baseball (ODUSports.com)
The Pack resumes its ACC schedule this weekend when it travels to Winston-Salem to face the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest for three beginning Friday. If my apathy isn’t pushed into full blown rage by the results of the basketball team’s Thursday showing in the ACC Tournament, I might have a detailed preview of the series with the Deacs up for that one.
Or I might not. Time will tell.
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Be sure to head over to the SFN Forums to get your fill on all things NC State, and if you’re on facebook please Like SFN and befriend Everett Case. We’d surely appreciate it.
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