North Carolina State University Athletics
Groover, Villaman Named To Preseason Watch Lists
2/17/2022 3:14:00 PM | Baseball
RALEIGH - NC State baseball's LuJames Groover III and Chris Villaman earned preseason praise this week, as Groover was named to the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List and Villaman earned a spot on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Watch List.
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The Bobby Bragan Slugger Award is based on performance at the plate, academics and personal integrity, while the Stopper of the Year Award is awarded annually to the top relief pitcher in college baseball.
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The 2022 season marks Groover's first year with the Wolfpack, as he transferred in the fall after one season at Charlotte. With the 49ers, he earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors as he made 50 starts in 54 appearances and led the team with a .351 batting average.
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Additionally, he tallied 66 hits and 38 runs batted in, including four homers and 14 doubles.
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Last year, Villaman began the season as a starter on the mound but moved into a reliever role and excelled. He compiled a 4.35 ERA and 5-2 record in 18 appearances (seven starts) and 60.0 innings. He picked up two saves on the year along with 71 strikeouts and threw a one-hitter complete game shutout on March 30 at UNCG.
He played a major role in keeping the Pack in the ACC Championship title game against Duke until the final out, throwing 4.1 hitless innings in relief, helped the team go 3-0 in the NCAA Ruston Regional and was a key contributor in the series win against top-seeded Arkansas in the NCAA Super Regional to return to Omaha. Â
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Following the 2021 season, Villaman played for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team over the summer.
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The Wolfpack opens its season Friday when it hosts Evansville at 3 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park. Season tickets are sold out but single game tickets and mini-packs remain available.
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The Bobby Bragan Slugger Award is based on performance at the plate, academics and personal integrity, while the Stopper of the Year Award is awarded annually to the top relief pitcher in college baseball.
Â
The 2022 season marks Groover's first year with the Wolfpack, as he transferred in the fall after one season at Charlotte. With the 49ers, he earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors as he made 50 starts in 54 appearances and led the team with a .351 batting average.
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Additionally, he tallied 66 hits and 38 runs batted in, including four homers and 14 doubles.
Â
Last year, Villaman began the season as a starter on the mound but moved into a reliever role and excelled. He compiled a 4.35 ERA and 5-2 record in 18 appearances (seven starts) and 60.0 innings. He picked up two saves on the year along with 71 strikeouts and threw a one-hitter complete game shutout on March 30 at UNCG.
He played a major role in keeping the Pack in the ACC Championship title game against Duke until the final out, throwing 4.1 hitless innings in relief, helped the team go 3-0 in the NCAA Ruston Regional and was a key contributor in the series win against top-seeded Arkansas in the NCAA Super Regional to return to Omaha. Â
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Following the 2021 season, Villaman played for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team over the summer.
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The Wolfpack opens its season Friday when it hosts Evansville at 3 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park. Season tickets are sold out but single game tickets and mini-packs remain available.
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Players Mentioned
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