The baseball program has not reached the College World Series since 1968.
Forty-five years have passed since the Sammy Esposito-led team took the dugout in Nebraska. This season’s team has the makeup to potentially take the field at TD Ameritrade Park in June.
Head coach Elliot Avent has taken the program to three Super Regionals: against Miami in 2003, Georgia in 2008 and Florida in 2012.
“There’s a lot of hype around this season, which always makes it extra special, but every opening day at N.C. State has been special,” Avent said.
Four rising sophomores from last season — pitcher Carlos Rodon, infielder Trea Turner, catcher Brett Austin and outfielder Jake Fincher — will play essential roles in the team’s success.
“They came in as freshmen and played in a league that’s tough to play in as a freshman,” Avent said. “To see what those guys did in this league, I think they’ll handle expectations pretty well.”
The team will look for Turner and Rodon to have another dominant season based on their stellar freshmen seasons, which earned them spots on the United States Collegiate National Team and the 2013 preseason All-America first team.
Turner will make the switch from third base to shortstop, a plan that has been in the works since his recruitment, said Avent.
Playing third base last season gave Turner the opportunity to play immediately rather than sit behind former shortstop Chris Diaz last season.
The multi-talented Turner also saw time at second base over the summer with Team USA but said he plans to play shortstop at the next level.
“I’m more comfortable with the throw and setting up the ground ball better at shortstop,” Turner said. “I think it would be a more comfortable year.”
Both Rodon and Turner were recently named to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American and Perfect Game Preseason All-American first teams.
The team is ranked No. 9 in the country, the highest preseason ranking ever for the baseball program. But according to Avent, the team cannot afford any “lone wolves.”
He said the team will have to work as one unit to play to its high expectations. The Boston Celtics of the late ‘50s and ‘60s, which Avent considers the best team(s) of all time, won 11 NBA championships without ever having a league scoring leader.
Rodon’s arm, along with Turner’s bat and speed, will not be enough alone for the Wolfpack to succeed.
“That’s why you’ve got to have leadership,” Avent said. “You have to have leadership within your ball club if you’re going to make a run and stay together through a long, grueling season.”
After Rodon’s performance with Team USA, rumors began to spread about the sophomore sensation leaving for junior college. Rodon said there was never any truth to the rumors: He wants to win a College World Series.
“Expectations are nice, but they don’t really mean anything until you get on the field and actually compete,” Rodon said.
“The goal is not to get to Omaha,” Rodon said. “The goal is to win the whole thing. That’s what we plan on doing.”
