North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Hosts Appalachian State Opening Weekend
2/14/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 14, 2013
| Where to watch: #8 NC State vs. App. State | |
| TV | GoPack All-Access |
| Radio | 88.1 WKNC |
| Live Stats | GoPack.com |
| @NCStateBaseball | |
| Scheduling Note: | Saturday's game time has been changed to 1 p.m. |
Season Ticket Brochure | Purchase Tickets | Gameday Promotions | Game Notes
No. 8 NC State hosts Appalachian State for a three-game series this weekend as the 2013 season gets started.
Wolfpack head coach Elliott Avent seeks his 600th win at NC State this weekend. Avent has 599 career wins at NC State (824 total wins). The Pack skipper captured his 800th career win, and his 200th career ACC win last season.
Another head coach, NC State football's Dave Doeren will throw out the first pitch at Friday's game.
Last season's outstanding freshman class has entered its sophomore year. Luckily, those underclassmen gained valuable experience in 2012. NC State started three or more true freshmen in 61 of 63 games last season. The Pack held a 13-5 record when starting five freshmen, and a 33-14 record when starting four or more.
Among that class is sophomore Carlos Rodon, who takes the mound on Friday night. Rodon compiled one of the greatest freshman campaigns in Wolfpack history a year ago, snagging ACC Pitcher and Freshman of the Year honors and becoming the first Division I freshman to reach the finals of the Golden Spikes Award.
Sophomore Trea Turner should smash the NC State career stolen base record early in 2013 after swiping 57 bags on 61 attempts a year ago. Turner needs only 16 to equal the career mark of 73 set by Tom Sergio from 1994-97.
After splitting time between catcher, right field, and designated hitter as a freshman, Brett Austin will be counted on as the everyday starter at catcher in 2013. Austin hit .450 (9-for-20) with seven RBIs, six runs, one double, and one triple in the 2012 Raleigh Regional.
Grant Sasser, Brett Williams, and Josh Easley return from injury-plagued 2012 seasons to contribute in 2013. Sasser and Easley spent last year recovering from arm surgeries. Williams went down on opening day with a torn ACL. All three expect to play significant roles for this year's club.
The Pack owns a 9-2 advantage over Appalachian State in the all-time series. In the last meeting, NC State prevailed 10-6 in 2009.
| Pitching Probables | |
| Friday, 3 p.m. | Carlos Rodon, LHP vs. Jamie Nunn, RHP |
| Saturday, 1 p.m. | Logan Jernigan, RHP vs. Jeffrey Springs, LHP |
| Sunday, 1 p.m. | Ethan Ogburn, RHP vs. Sam Agnew-Wieland, RHP |
