North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: Wolfpack Baseball Finds a Shiny New Penny
5/29/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 29, 2006
Wolfpack earns fourth consective NCAA bid
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH - Whenever NC State freshman Drew Martin gets into a game for the Wolfpack, he begs for the ball to be hit to him.
In several critical situations this past weekend at the ACC Tournament, Martin got his wish. And he came through flawlessly.
The freshman from Gastonia's Ashbrook High School made important contributions to the Wolfpack's run to the ACC Championship game, primarily as a defensive replacement. His defense was so important, he got consideration for the All-ACC Tournament team even though he only had five at-bats the entire weekend.
And, despite the 8-4 loss to Clemson in the title game on Sunday, it was a weekend that restored some enthusiasm and energy to a squad, once ranked in the nation's top 10, that had drooped at the end of the regular-season.
Martin's defense is certainly a reason for the Wolfpack's renewed sense of confidence. It would have never been in the championship game if not for Martin's heroics on the field Saturday night. Put into the game as a replacement for sophomore Matt Mangini, Martin made two terrific defensive plays in the bottom of the ninth inning in the second game against the Seminoles to preserve a 9-8 victory.
For Martin, who helped Ashbrook win the North Carolina 3-A Championship last year as a shortstop, it was a dream come true.
"My dad has always told me: want the ball," Martin said. "So when I get in there, I always want the ball to be hit to me. I am usually only in there for an inning or two. I want to prove what I can do.
"You always dream about having those situations where you dive and catch the ball to go to the championship game. You picture that in your mind and you visualize what you will do with it."
Martin made such an impression with his defensive performance, he will likely get his second career start when the second-seeded Wolfpack plays third-seeded Stanford in Friday's opener in the NCAA Championship Austin Regional.
Texas' stadium has an artificial surface and Wolfpack coach Elliott Avent believes pitching and defense will be at a premium.
"We are going to have to play defense to win out there," Avent said. "It's a big park and not a hitter's park. You have to play defense and you have to pitch. Drew came along at just the right time for us.
"He's like a shiny new penny."
But it isn't an overnight success. Avent says Martin is one of the hardest workers on the team, along with former walk-on shortstop Jonathan Diaz.
"Drew Martin has gone out every day and worked as hard as anybody on our team," Avent said. "He has tried to emulate Jonathan Diaz, and there is no better person on our team to emulate.
"He's had a great work ethic. He hasn't complained and hasn't felt sorry for himself when he doesn't start. He doesn't feel like he's not getting a fair shake in life. You have to go out and be prepared every day, and that is what he has done."
Martin, a shortstop by trade, knew he would have to wait his turn when he came to Raleigh, because the Wolfpack infield seemed to be set. Second baseman Ramon Corona is a first-team All-ACC selection. Diaz is the heart-and-soul of the defense at shortstop. And Mangini had such a phenomenal start to the season at the plate, he couldn't be taken out of the lineup.
But Martin was a frequent defensive replacement. He got his first career start against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament opener, going 3-for-4 from the plate, then came off the bench in three other games.
"I knew I had to wait my turn and not complain about anything," Martin said. "I knew that I would get in if they ever needed me."
The Wolfpack did this past weekend. And Martin performed flawlessly.
You may contact Tim Peeler at mailto:tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
