Here are some random thoughts and musings from Columbia, South Carolina, ahead of the University of South Carolina hosting the Columbia Regional -- with NC State taking on Campbell and Central Connecticut State battling the host Gamecocks.
REPRESENTING THE PACK
NC State head coach Elliott Avent, pitcher Sam Highfill, and infielder LuJames 'Gino' Groover III met with the media Thursday on behalf of North Carolina State University.
There was an aura of quiet belief, and the anxiousness of reaching the postseason -- a topic that weighed heavily on them for several weeks -- seemed to be gone. NC State has made it and was not on the final line of schools to do so, affirming that the Wolfpack belongs where it is. The slog to get there was not easy, but NCSU is starting at the same place as 63 other teams.
The difficulty ahead will be based on the competition and the event. NC State stated that its focus was to play clean baseball. If that happens, the Pack can cause some damage.
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Obviously, I am thrilled to be in Columbia to cover this weekend's event. I am convinced that the week of the ACC Baseball Championship along with the month or so of NCAA action afterward is one of the better stretches in all of sports.
It is easier to appreciate it when you don't have it for whatever reason, such as the school you cover is inexplicably not invited or there is a global pandemic. I am alive and well, and there should be a great time to be had in Columbia.
I am delighted to witness it firsthand, and I thank you all for the platform to do so.
ACC AND THE CAROLINAS
There are eight teams from the state of North Carolina and three schools from South Carolina are hosting, along with another four invitees from the ACC in the NCAA Baseball Championships -- which works out to 15 of the 64 teams total, or almost 25 percent.
MAKING THE PITCH
Logan Whitaker is reportedly getting the opening start for NC State against Campbell.
The Camels will start their hoss, Cade Kuehler, against NC State in the regional opener. That was confirmed by head coach Justin Haire during media availability on Thursday (which is posted on the IPS boards). Kuehler is 8-0 with a 2.82 ERA and 87 strikeouts against only 24 walks in 67 innings pitched.
Central Connecticut State will not start its best pitcher, Dominic Niman, in its opener against South Carolina due to his starting twice in four days at the Northeast Conference Tournament, which Blue Devils head coach Charlie Hickey emphasized that his team must win to receive a berth to the NCAA Championship. That means it would behoove NC State to beat Campbell and potentially avoid a scenario where Niman faces the Pack with elimination at stake should CCS lose to South Carolina. Niman posted a 12-2 mark overall with a 2.76 ERA and 90 strikeouts against 24 walks in 97.2 innings pitched this season en route to being named NEC Pitcher of the Year.
MCLAMB'S TAKE: I find it highly unlikely that NC State could lose the first game and then win out. That is not to say that they are incapable, but the pitching the Pack would face without wiggle room to lose again is probably too big of an ask. If Campbell wins, NCSU either gets an SEC school on their field or a CCS squad with its best pitcher on the mound. I rate the opener against Campbell as a must-win for the Wolfpack.
SEC INVESTIGATION
Recently and this season, the SEC has been the best baseball conference in the country, but that does not guarantee that it is the conference that will always prevail. NC State can attest to this.
The Wolfpack was 4-2 against SEC competition in 2021 during its march to the College World Series. That included a regional win over Alabama, a terrific response to a road throttling at Arkansas, and a spirited victory over Vanderbilt in Omaha. With several players remaining from that squad, it is unlikely the Wolfpack will be afraid of South Carolina should the two schools meet up.
FOUNDER'S PARK
It is a gorgeous baseball facility that will continue to get reinvestment as time passes. I have now been to four SEC ballparks, and being blown away is a recurring theme. Vanderbilt just announced they would invest 35 million into their baseball facilities. By the time NC State gets somewhat modern, what is modern will probably be a relic. It is hard to imagine the Wolfpack ever catching up, which makes their success all the more impressive.
REPRESENTING THE PACK
NC State head coach Elliott Avent, pitcher Sam Highfill, and infielder LuJames 'Gino' Groover III met with the media Thursday on behalf of North Carolina State University.
There was an aura of quiet belief, and the anxiousness of reaching the postseason -- a topic that weighed heavily on them for several weeks -- seemed to be gone. NC State has made it and was not on the final line of schools to do so, affirming that the Wolfpack belongs where it is. The slog to get there was not easy, but NCSU is starting at the same place as 63 other teams.
The difficulty ahead will be based on the competition and the event. NC State stated that its focus was to play clean baseball. If that happens, the Pack can cause some damage.
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Obviously, I am thrilled to be in Columbia to cover this weekend's event. I am convinced that the week of the ACC Baseball Championship along with the month or so of NCAA action afterward is one of the better stretches in all of sports.
It is easier to appreciate it when you don't have it for whatever reason, such as the school you cover is inexplicably not invited or there is a global pandemic. I am alive and well, and there should be a great time to be had in Columbia.
I am delighted to witness it firsthand, and I thank you all for the platform to do so.
ACC AND THE CAROLINAS
There are eight teams from the state of North Carolina and three schools from South Carolina are hosting, along with another four invitees from the ACC in the NCAA Baseball Championships -- which works out to 15 of the 64 teams total, or almost 25 percent.
MAKING THE PITCH
Logan Whitaker is reportedly getting the opening start for NC State against Campbell.
The Camels will start their hoss, Cade Kuehler, against NC State in the regional opener. That was confirmed by head coach Justin Haire during media availability on Thursday (which is posted on the IPS boards). Kuehler is 8-0 with a 2.82 ERA and 87 strikeouts against only 24 walks in 67 innings pitched.
Central Connecticut State will not start its best pitcher, Dominic Niman, in its opener against South Carolina due to his starting twice in four days at the Northeast Conference Tournament, which Blue Devils head coach Charlie Hickey emphasized that his team must win to receive a berth to the NCAA Championship. That means it would behoove NC State to beat Campbell and potentially avoid a scenario where Niman faces the Pack with elimination at stake should CCS lose to South Carolina. Niman posted a 12-2 mark overall with a 2.76 ERA and 90 strikeouts against 24 walks in 97.2 innings pitched this season en route to being named NEC Pitcher of the Year.
MCLAMB'S TAKE: I find it highly unlikely that NC State could lose the first game and then win out. That is not to say that they are incapable, but the pitching the Pack would face without wiggle room to lose again is probably too big of an ask. If Campbell wins, NCSU either gets an SEC school on their field or a CCS squad with its best pitcher on the mound. I rate the opener against Campbell as a must-win for the Wolfpack.
SEC INVESTIGATION
Recently and this season, the SEC has been the best baseball conference in the country, but that does not guarantee that it is the conference that will always prevail. NC State can attest to this.
The Wolfpack was 4-2 against SEC competition in 2021 during its march to the College World Series. That included a regional win over Alabama, a terrific response to a road throttling at Arkansas, and a spirited victory over Vanderbilt in Omaha. With several players remaining from that squad, it is unlikely the Wolfpack will be afraid of South Carolina should the two schools meet up.
FOUNDER'S PARK
It is a gorgeous baseball facility that will continue to get reinvestment as time passes. I have now been to four SEC ballparks, and being blown away is a recurring theme. Vanderbilt just announced they would invest 35 million into their baseball facilities. By the time NC State gets somewhat modern, what is modern will probably be a relic. It is hard to imagine the Wolfpack ever catching up, which makes their success all the more impressive.
Founder’s Field is quite a wonderful ballpark. In fact, the facility is stunning.
— Rob McLamb (@RobMcLamb) June 1, 2023
Inside Pack Sports is in Columbia, South Carolina for the 2023 NCAA Baseball Championship. Press conferences for each school starts soon.
If you want the latest in NC State Athletics, #GetInside pic.twitter.com/NSXHAJh9T8
Twitter: @RobMcLamb