While it may not be quite as intense as the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, the 275th meeting between N.C. State and North Carolina is sure to produce some fireworks this weekend at Doak Field at Dail Park.
The Tar Heels got the best of the Wolfpack (18-16 overall, 5-10 ACC) in last season’s matchup at Boshamer Stadium winning two games to one, but coach Elliott Avent and Co. will be looking to enjoy some homecookin’ in Raleigh against their Tobacco Road rival and get back into the thick of things in the ACC standings.
“You don’t understand the rivalry until you actually play in the series,” Avent said, who is 22-23 in his career against the Heels. “It’s still a conference series and you’re still trying to make an impact in the conference standings, but it is a little bit different.”
Junior righthander Cory Mazzoni, who will take the mound in today’s series opener, echoed his coach’s thoughts on the rivalry’s importance.
“We always look forward to it and mark it on our calendar,” Mazzoni said. “We’ve been playing really well at home so we’re looking forward to them coming here. It would be huge for us to win the series.”
After winning eight of its previous 10 games before last weekend’s trip to Miami, the Wolfpack has dropped four straight contests, including a sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes and a 9-1 midweek loss to UNC-Wilmington on Wednesday.
North Carolina (30-5 overall, 12-3 ACC) has won eight of its last nine games and jumped to No. 7 in the latest Baseball America poll after its series win over No. 11 Florida State last weekend.
Freshman Colin Moran has made his transition into arguably the toughest conference in baseball effortless, as he leads the ACC in RBI with 48. Joining Moran in the top of the order are the trio of Ben Bunting, Levi Michael and Tommy Coyle, who have accounted for a combined 106 runs and 37 stolen bases this season.
Since the two schools are in such close proximity to one another, many players from opposing teams have played with each other and formed friendships. But third baseman Andrew Ciencin said friendships have to be set aside once the first pitch is thrown.
“I played with Levi Michael this past summer and know one of their pitchers from high school,” the Pack’s captain said. “We’re close friends but once you step onto the field, all friendships are gone.”
Facing off against Mazzoni today will be North Carolina ace righthander Patrick Johnson, who is 6-0 and has a 2.77 ERA with a team-high 54 strikeouts on the year. In Saturday’s game, Grant Sasser, who leads the Pack with a 1.29 ERA, will be making his second career start after a solid outing against Miami on Sunday. Starting opposite of Sasser will be the Tar Heels’ Kent Emanuel, who is 4-1 with a 2.54 ERA.
With a number of high-powered offenses, the ACC schedule can certainly take its toll on a pitcher, but Mazzoni said the key is pounding the strikezone and making opposing teams put the ball in play.
“Every team in the ACC is a good hitting team so you just have to make sure you hit your spots and let the defense work,” Mazzoni said. “Our defense has been really good this year and that’s definitely helped. You have to make them beat you by keeping the ball in the strikezone.”
Wolfpack hitters will also have their hands full against North Carolina’s duo of Johnson and Emanuel. After posting one of the best all-time RBI marks in program history last season, Ciencin began the year as cold as the February weather, but seems to be finding his swing again. The Cranford, N.J., native has four home runs and a team-best 12 RBI in his last 11 games.
“I just go back to the basics when I’m struggling – see the ball, hit the ball,” Ciencin said. “That’s what has worked for me in the past so I’m going to keep doing.”
Junior centerfielder Brett Williams, who is batting .293 with 22 runs scored, will be another hitter the Pack will rely on. Although he will be playing in his first series against North Carolina, the transfer from Pitt Community College realizes the importance of the rivalry.
“I know it’s going to be huge,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of hype around it. I know there’s a really long tradition I’m really looking forward to being a part of it. The more intensity, the more fun it is to play. “
Sophomore Chris Diaz also realized the importance of the rivalry long before he enrolled at State. His brother, Jonathan, was a standout shortstop for the Pack from 2004-07 and Chris said he would always attend the games against the Tar Heels.
“I remember the games always being crazy,” Diaz said. “There were always a ton of fans and just a great series to be a part of.”
Game times are set for 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday with Sunday’s series finale starting at 1 p.m.