Since helping N.C. State earn its first College World Series bid since 1968, sophomore outfielder Jake Fincher has been playing in the Cape Cod League for the Cotuit Kettleers in Marston Mills, Mass.
Despite delaying his 2013 Cotuit debut due to commitments with the Wolfpack in Omaha, Fincher batted his way into the Friendly’s Cape Cod League All-Star game.
“I’ve been playing hard every day,” Fincher said. “I’ve never played games every day like we’re doing. I’m really trying to polish my game so I can get ready for the spring.”
The Charlotte native ended the 2013 campaign second on the team in both batting average (.313) and runs (50). Fincher also stole 14 bases on the season, placing him third on the team behind sophomore shortstop Trea Turner and senior outfielder Brett Williams.
“Jake Fincher is one of the guys that makes our team go,” said N.C. State baseball head coach Elliott Avent. “He’s been that way since he’s been here. He’s a high-energy guy, he plays with a lot of passion, and he plays to win.”
Fincher made his mark driving in the game-winning run against Rice in the first game of the Raleigh Super Regional as well as the tying run in the ninth inning of the second game against the Owls.
“He did a lot of great things for us, but the main thing that he did was that he brought a lot of energy into the dugout and into the game,” Avent said. “Guys that play the game that hard at that level, they rub off on the rest of the players.”
Fincher was 13-for-39 with five runs and five RBIs in the postseason prior to the College World Series but went hitless in 11 at-bats in Omaha.
Since joining the Kettleers, Fincher has appeared in 24 games for Cotuit as of July 30, and is batting .291 with 10 runs, 10 RBIs and a team-leading 14 steals.
“Playing in the Cape Cod League is a pretty good achievement,” Avent said. “It’s a hard league to be successful in. It’s full of the greatest college players in the country. It’s quite an achievement to play there, but to make the All-Star team there is quite an honor.”
When the All-Star rosters were announced on July 20, Fincher ended up as the starting center fielder for the Western Division, joining Vanderbilt sophomore outfielder Rhett Wiseman and Georgia junior pitcher Jared Walsh as the Kettleers’ All-Stars.
“I didn’t know if I would have had the requirements for enough time,” Fincher said. “I was more surprised than anything that I was starting and not a reserve, and I was ecstatic that I got to start in center field for one of the best summer leagues’ All-Star game.”
“As soon as I found out [Fincher was an All-Star], I called him, and he was tickled to death,” Avent said. “He was proud that he was representing their program as well as our program. It’s something he’ll never forget. The whole summer has been fun for him. He has improved his game, but to make the All-Star team was something special.”
Fincher hit a one-out double in the top of the first inning, stole third base two plays later and scored the first run of the All-Star Game on the next play. He finished the game 1-for-2 as the West fell to the Eastern All-Stars, 9-3.
