North Carolina State University Athletics
Fall World Series Begins Friday Evening
10/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
RALEIGH, N.C. Fall practice officially hits the homestretch this weekend when the NC State baseball team will hold its annual fall world series. Fall practice began September 12, and the Wolfpack already has played 15 scrimmage games. Fall practice will run through October 23.
The three-game world series will begin on Friday, October 10 at 6 p.m. Game two will be Saturday, October 11, at 1 p.m., with the finale on Sunday, October 12 at 1 p.m. All three games will be at Doak Field at Dail Park. Admission is free to the public.
The Wolfpack, which won 42 games and advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2008, returns a strong nucleus from a year ago and brought in one of its strongest recruiting classes ever, but still must replace several key contributors, seven of whom signed professional baseball contracts.
In particular, the starting outfield of Jeremy Synan, Marcus Jones and Matt Payne must be replaced, along with infielders Ryan Pond and Tommy Foschi, and pitchers Clayton Shunick, Eric Surkamp, Eryk McConnell and Andrew Taylor.
“We certainly came into fall practice knowing we had holes to fill,” head coach Elliott Avent said. “We lost our shortstop, our entire outfield, our weekend starting rotation and part of our bullpen. We’ve gotten a lot done this fall, but we still have a lot of work to do before we get started in February.”
NC State will not be without familiar faces when the season commences in February. Pitchers Jimmy Gillheeney, Alex Sogard, Jake Buchanan, Sam Brown, Kyle Rutter and Joey Cutler all played key roles in 2008 and are back for 2009. In addition, catcher Chris Schaeffer, first baseman Pat Ferguson, second baseman Dallas Poulk and third baseman Drew Martin also return.
If the 15 scrimmages played to date revealed anything, it has been the depth of talent in the Wolfpack’s recruiting class. In addition, several holdovers have shown markd improvement. Fitting all the pieces together and defining individual roles will remain an ongoing process into the season in the spring.
“The talent level of this team is very high, but we’re still learning how to play the game,” Avent said. “We have a good nucleus back, but we’re not there yet. We lack depth in some places, so we’re going to have to develop some players for backup roles. Our newcomers should provide some immediate help and we have some veteran backups returning who can help. This team has a chance to be very good.”
Pitching Matchups:
Friday
Jimmy Gillheeney and Jake Buchanan vs. Alex Sogard and Sam Brown
Saturday
Zak Sinclair and Cory Mazzoni vs. John Lambert and Grant Sasser
Sunday
Jason Zinser and Mike Russo vs. Kyle Rutter and Travis High
The three-game world series will begin on Friday, October 10 at 6 p.m. Game two will be Saturday, October 11, at 1 p.m., with the finale on Sunday, October 12 at 1 p.m. All three games will be at Doak Field at Dail Park. Admission is free to the public.
The Wolfpack, which won 42 games and advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2008, returns a strong nucleus from a year ago and brought in one of its strongest recruiting classes ever, but still must replace several key contributors, seven of whom signed professional baseball contracts.
In particular, the starting outfield of Jeremy Synan, Marcus Jones and Matt Payne must be replaced, along with infielders Ryan Pond and Tommy Foschi, and pitchers Clayton Shunick, Eric Surkamp, Eryk McConnell and Andrew Taylor.
“We certainly came into fall practice knowing we had holes to fill,” head coach Elliott Avent said. “We lost our shortstop, our entire outfield, our weekend starting rotation and part of our bullpen. We’ve gotten a lot done this fall, but we still have a lot of work to do before we get started in February.”
NC State will not be without familiar faces when the season commences in February. Pitchers Jimmy Gillheeney, Alex Sogard, Jake Buchanan, Sam Brown, Kyle Rutter and Joey Cutler all played key roles in 2008 and are back for 2009. In addition, catcher Chris Schaeffer, first baseman Pat Ferguson, second baseman Dallas Poulk and third baseman Drew Martin also return.
If the 15 scrimmages played to date revealed anything, it has been the depth of talent in the Wolfpack’s recruiting class. In addition, several holdovers have shown markd improvement. Fitting all the pieces together and defining individual roles will remain an ongoing process into the season in the spring.
“The talent level of this team is very high, but we’re still learning how to play the game,” Avent said. “We have a good nucleus back, but we’re not there yet. We lack depth in some places, so we’re going to have to develop some players for backup roles. Our newcomers should provide some immediate help and we have some veteran backups returning who can help. This team has a chance to be very good.”
Pitching Matchups:
Friday
Jimmy Gillheeney and Jake Buchanan vs. Alex Sogard and Sam Brown
Saturday
Zak Sinclair and Cory Mazzoni vs. John Lambert and Grant Sasser
Sunday
Jason Zinser and Mike Russo vs. Kyle Rutter and Travis High
Auburn Regional Preview: Elliott Avent on ACC PM
Thursday, May 29
Game Three Press Conference: Athens Super Regional
Tuesday, June 11
Game Two Press Conference: Athens Super Regional
Sunday, June 09
Game One Press Conference - Athens Super Regional
Saturday, June 08