With a 2-1 series win over Boston College this past weekend, the NC State baseball team is off to a 13-3 start and is lighting up the scoreboard. The Pack offense calmed down some against the Eagles, with 18 runs over three games, but overall the Wolfpack is still averaging over eight runs per game.
While an ugly 11-3 loss on Sunday didn’t go the Pack’s way, an ACC series win to start the conference season is always a good thing. Here are some takeaways from the Wolfpack so far this season:
Cardiac Pack
Against BC on Friday, sophomore shortstop Will Wilson blasted a two-run homer in the eighth inning with the Pack trailing 1-0 to win the game. On Saturday, NC State went down 3-0 before winning the game 13-7.
It wasn’t the first time this season the Wolfpack has mounted a comeback to win, as with the two victories over the weekend NC State has been trailing in seven of its 13 wins this season. The Pack is also piling on runs late, as 66 runs have been scored in the sixth inning or later.
Considering the way the last three seasons have ended for the Wolfpack, with blown leads late in winner-take-all regional finals, the ability to stay in games and score runs late should be a sight for NC State fans.
Brian Brown is an elite college pitcher
Senior lefty Brian Brown has been lights out for the Wolfpack. Brown is 3-0 with a minuscule 0.36 ERA, and opponents are hitting just .145 off of him. In 25.1 innings pitched, Brown has struck out 26 batters and has allowed just one earned run. His walks and hits per inning pitched number is also incredibly low, at just 0.72.
Having Brown at the front of the rotation has been, and will continue to be, absolutely huge for the Wolfpack. Brown isn’t going to blow fastballs by people, but his ability to control the strike zone and deadly off-speed stuff makes him a special talent.
Through the first month of the season, only one ACC pitcher has a better ERA than Brown, and the Pack’s front man is as good as the league has to offer.
Power surge has lifted the Pack
Home runs have absolutely powered the Wolfpack so far in 2018, as NC State’s 31 long balls are the third most in the country and the most in the ACC. Junior outfielder Brett Kinneman has arguably been the best hitter in the country this year, and he leads the NCAA with nine homers.
Junior designated hitter Evan Edwards has added five home runs, and senior outfielder Brock Deatherage has four. Sophomore shortstop Will Wilson has caught fire as of late as well, and now has four home runs including the game winner against Boston College last Friday.
The ability to power the ball out of the park is vital for any team to succeed, and the Pack’s ability to do that so far this season is one of just many reasons that NC State finds itself in the position it is in.
Sunday starter is the biggest issue right now
Freshman lefty David Harrison has gotten the ball for the Pack three Sundays so far this season, and he has struggled. In four appearances, Harrison has a 9.45 ERA and has allowed opponents to hit .345 against him.
It’s hard for a freshman to come in and pitch well at the college level, and while Harrison has the tools and physical assets to become a great pitcher for NC State, right now the Pack needs something better on Sundays.
Sophomore righty Michael Bienlien was the Sunday starter last season, but has dealt with injuries this year that have limited his time on the mound. When Bienlien has pitched, exclusively out of the bullpen, he has been fantastic; Bienlien has a 0.00 ERA over 6.2 innings of work. If Bienlien can get healthy and return to the rotation, it would be huge for a Pack team that is just 1-2 on Sundays this year.
