Friday, June 25
Omaha, Neb. (TD Ameritrade Park)
2 PM ET
NC State
vs
#4 Vanderbilt (College World Series)
#Pack9 Set for Matchup with Commodores in National Semifinals
6/24/2021 1:17:00 PM | Baseball
OMAHA, Neb. – Needing just one victory to reach the championship series, NC State baseball (37-18) gears up for a showdown against fourth-seeded Vanderbilt (47-16) in the national semifinal of the 2021 College World Series Friday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET from TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.
Fans can follow along with the national television broadcast on ESPN2, and the game will also be aired on the radio on WKNC 88.1, 99.9 The Fan and the TuneIn App.
STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Matt Willadsen (NCSU) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (VANDY)
LAST TIME OUT
The Pack defeated the Commodores 1-0 on Monday night to remain perfect in College World Series action. Terrell Tatum went yard in the fifth inning for the only run of the game, and NC State freshman pitcher Sam Highfill threw 7.1 innings of two-hit ball to set the Pack up for the victory. It marked the first time in team history that NC State has started the College World Series with a 2-0 record.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday marks the sixth all-time meeting between NC State and Vanderbilt. With the Monday night win over the Commodores, the Wolfpack took the 3-2 lead in the series. Prior to Monday's meeting in the winner's bracket, the teams had never faced off in the College World Series.
QUICK HITS FROM OMAHA
- NC State has defeated both the No. 1 national seed (Arkansas) and the defending national champion (Vanderbilt) in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack is the first team to accomplish both of those feats in a single postseason since seeding began in 1999.
- With the Monday night win over the Commodores, NC State handed Vanderbilt its first shutout loss since March 17, 2019.
- NC State is 24-6 in games away from home this season.
- Junior southpaw Evan Justice has recorded 13 saves in 2021, with his most recent coming against Vanderbilt on Monday. That number ranks fourth in the NCAA this season and is two away from tying the single-season program record (15). Justice has posted one win and four saves in the Pack's 2021 postseason run.
- Highfill is 9-2 on the season after earning the win against Vanderbilt. NC State has now won 10 straight games in which he made the start.
- The Pack has hit at least one home run in seven of its eight NCAA Tournament games, including each of the last six.
GOING FOR GOLD (GLOVE)
Wolfpack junior Austin Murr was tabbed the top first baseman in Division I baseball as he was named a Gold Glove Award winner on Wednesday. Murr is the second player in team history and the first-ever NC State infielder to be honored. The Minnesota native is batting .364 through eight NCAA Tournament games and .320 on the season. In 70 career games played, he has not made an error.
ON DECK
With a win, NC State will advance to the championship series, which will open on Monday, June 28 at 7 p.m. ET. A loss on Friday would force a deciding game between the Wolfpack and the Commodores on Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m. ET to determine the finalist from 'Bracket One'.
Fans can follow along with the national television broadcast on ESPN2, and the game will also be aired on the radio on WKNC 88.1, 99.9 The Fan and the TuneIn App.
STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Matt Willadsen (NCSU) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (VANDY)
LAST TIME OUT
The Pack defeated the Commodores 1-0 on Monday night to remain perfect in College World Series action. Terrell Tatum went yard in the fifth inning for the only run of the game, and NC State freshman pitcher Sam Highfill threw 7.1 innings of two-hit ball to set the Pack up for the victory. It marked the first time in team history that NC State has started the College World Series with a 2-0 record.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday marks the sixth all-time meeting between NC State and Vanderbilt. With the Monday night win over the Commodores, the Wolfpack took the 3-2 lead in the series. Prior to Monday's meeting in the winner's bracket, the teams had never faced off in the College World Series.
QUICK HITS FROM OMAHA
- NC State has defeated both the No. 1 national seed (Arkansas) and the defending national champion (Vanderbilt) in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack is the first team to accomplish both of those feats in a single postseason since seeding began in 1999.
- With the Monday night win over the Commodores, NC State handed Vanderbilt its first shutout loss since March 17, 2019.
- NC State is 24-6 in games away from home this season.
- Junior southpaw Evan Justice has recorded 13 saves in 2021, with his most recent coming against Vanderbilt on Monday. That number ranks fourth in the NCAA this season and is two away from tying the single-season program record (15). Justice has posted one win and four saves in the Pack's 2021 postseason run.
- Highfill is 9-2 on the season after earning the win against Vanderbilt. NC State has now won 10 straight games in which he made the start.
- The Pack has hit at least one home run in seven of its eight NCAA Tournament games, including each of the last six.
GOING FOR GOLD (GLOVE)
Wolfpack junior Austin Murr was tabbed the top first baseman in Division I baseball as he was named a Gold Glove Award winner on Wednesday. Murr is the second player in team history and the first-ever NC State infielder to be honored. The Minnesota native is batting .364 through eight NCAA Tournament games and .320 on the season. In 70 career games played, he has not made an error.
ON DECK
With a win, NC State will advance to the championship series, which will open on Monday, June 28 at 7 p.m. ET. A loss on Friday would force a deciding game between the Wolfpack and the Commodores on Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m. ET to determine the finalist from 'Bracket One'.
Players Mentioned
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