North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Pack, Heels Baseball Series Makes Memories
5/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May. 2, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - When something extraordinary happens in NC State athletics, it has become rather fashionable to hook up with the Wolfpack's walking, talking encyclopedia, Frank Weedon. A former NC State sports information director and longtime administrator, Weedon has probably witnessed more Pack sporting events than anyone else. And perhaps just as importantly, he has a special compartment in his brain that allows him to retain vivid memories of even the slightest details. So after North Carolina and NC State had waged three titanic baseball battles at Doak Field over the weekend, there was really only one person to go to for a little historical perspective.
"Probably the closest thing to this weekend was our only trip to the College World Series," said Weedon, who has seen roughly 75 percent of the baseball games NC State has played over the last 44 years.
Whew! A regular season series so good that it could be thrilling enough to compare to the school's only trip to the College World Series in 1968? Yes, we all know that Mr. Weedon gets a little excited when the Wolfpack knocks of UNC in any sport, but maybe he's on to something here.
"I don't think I've seen three games back-to-back-to-back like that," Weedon said. "It's particularly exciting when it's against your biggest rival. After each game you were worn out no matter which team won. The games were so close and had so many great plays, close plays and some controversy."
All three games were decided in the last inning and two went to extras. In Friday's opener, the sellout crowd was especially juiced since two-sports star Andrew Brackman was making only his second start for the Pack. Brackman's mound opponent, lefty Andrew Miller, is one of the best sophomore pitchers in the country.
The two Andrews did indeed put on a show, with Brackman holding a slight edge in the matchup. Striking out 12 Tar Heels, the freshman from Cincinnati left with a 5-3 lead through seven. But another freshman, UNC shortstop Josh Horton, tied it in the ninth with a clutch two out, two run double off of Pack closer Joey Devine. A half inning later, Devine became the winning pitcher when his older brother Matt singled home the game-winner to give NC State an emotional 6-5 triumph.
Saturday's contest was a 12-inning marathon than included a one-hour rain delay. Horton again was a Heel hero, ripping a triple that sent the game tying run home in the 8th. With reliever Robert Woodard shutting the Pack out over the last 6 and 2/3 innings, Carolina finally put three on the board in the 12th to end it.
But the fun was just beginning.
In a most unlikely encore, the two longtime rivals outdid themselves in Sunday's finale. Down 3-0 early, NC State got a two-out grand slam from Aaron Bates, a blast that ignited a six-run third inning that pushed the Pack in front, 6-3.
It was 6-4 in the top of the sixth when the intensity of the weekend finally took its toll. On a strikeout of UNC designated hitter Matt Ellington, Wolfpack catcher Jake Muyco fired to second, hoping to cut down Horton, who was running on the pitch. But with the ball on its way to second, North Carolina second baseman Greg Mangum broke from third. When shortstop Jonathan Diaz's return throw beat Mangum to the plate, Mangum barreled over Muyco, who held on for the final out of the inning. Not only did the collision empty both dugouts, it gave the umpiring crew cause to eject Mangum from the game for trying to dislodge the ball by running into a fielder.
With the game tied in the top of the 10th, Muyco was involved in another bang-bang play at the plate. On Horton's double up the gap in left center, Mangum's replacement - Bryan Steed - tried to score from first. With Muyco in front of him fielding the relay throw on one hop, Steed's slide took him around the tag and then around and past home plate. Steed then tried to reach back and score the go ahead run before Muyco's diving tag just beat his hand to the plate.
It was that incredible chain of events that finally allowed NC State to grab a 2-1 series win when Bryan Kenneberg singled over a drawn in outfield to score pinch-runner Jason St. Julien from third with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th.
Frank Weedon will no doubt remember the heart stopping plays at the plate; the many pivotal checked swings that left the umpires guessing; and the incredible momentum shifts that were so prominent in each game.
"The only thing that can rival that College World Series after all these years is what we saw this weekend," Weedon said.
Now that's what you call a memorable weekend.
