Opening day of the 2016 season brings optimism to teams all over the college baseball landscape that this year can be different from the problems that ended their previous campaign. For the NC State Wolfpack baseball team, the hope is that the second game of the season can be different from the first.
The Wolfpack dropped its opening game of the weekend, 5-0 to the Old Dominion Monarchs in the Caravelle Resort Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Friday.
There were some bright spots, like sophomore second baseman Stephen Pittara’s two-hit game and senior pitcher Kyle Smith’s solid relief work, but the good was far outweighed by the bad.
“He didn’t really have good stuff today,” head coach Elliott Avent said about Piedmonte. “He always has command and is always throwing downhill. Today just wasn’t Johnny Piedmonte.”
The Wolfpack mustered only three hits in the contest, receiving nothing from the three through six-hole hitters except for three strikeouts. Old Dominion junior right-hander Sam Sinnen stymied the Wolfpack over five innings of work, allowing two hits and striking out three.
NC State was forced to use seven pitchers, as redshirt junior starter Johnny Piedmonte lasted just 2 2/3 innings as his control failed him early in the game. He labored through a tough first inning, hurling 34 pitches while walking two batters.
The Monarchs hitters made him pay with a two-run single that snuck past a diving Pittara into right-field to draw first blood.
The lackluster play extended into the third inning, where Piedmonte walked the first two batters of the frame. Throwing errors by Knizner and Pittara and a wild pitch ended Piedmonte’s day after allowing three runs and four walks in 2 2/3 innings.
The Wolfpack had opportunities early, junior first baseman Preston Palmeiro advanced to third base with two outs in the first inning and sophomore right fielder Shane Shepard advancing to third base in the second inning but both runners were stranded.
In total, the Wolfpack finished 0 for 15 with runners on base and 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. The Monarchs lead could have been worse, but they also struggled with runners in scoring position, finishing just 3 for 19.
“Old Dominion basically just was throwing strikes,” Avent said. “Pitching ahead in the counts. The weather plays a little bit into that but they were always 1-2.”
While the Wolfpack bats were ice cold, the pitchers struggled to find the strike zone, issuing seven walks, three wild pitches and hitting two batters. The fielders behind them provided little help, committing four errors.
The game was the first chance for fans and coaches to see the new look infield, featuring sophomore Joe Dunand at shortstop, senior Ryne Willard shifting to third base, and Pittara getting the nod at second base. The first game was a rocky one for the group, with Dunand and Pittara each committing errors.
“I think the infield is gonna be good,” Avent said. “It just wasn’t a good day for NC State. We didn’t hit well, pitch well or field well. I thought we played pretty much not good all the way around.”
The Wolfpack have a quick turnaround, traveling to Conway, South Carolina. to face the No. 24 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers tomorrow. The Chanticleers will face sophomore left-hander Brian Brown in the second game of the series. Converted reliever Joe O’Donnell will get the ball on Sunday against Kent State.
“Hopefully, we can just take a shower, wash it all away and pretend it never happened,” Avent said. “I certainly hope this is as bad as we can play. Hopefully we can come out tomorrow and refocus.”
