MCLAMB'S MUSINGS: Talkin' Baseball

Leaving the Deacs in their Wake

Obviously, a sweep of Wake Forest to end the regular season is impressive. It goes lockstep with what NC State has essentially been doing for most of the conference campaign, sans road trips to Georgia Tech and Louisville.

I thought the resiliency shown in the final game was impressive. Clemson had claimed the division title, so with that ship sailed the Wolfpack’s only path to earning a top-seed spot in its ACC Championship pod was a winner-take-all Saturday matchup – and NCSU trailed by as many as four runs. 

Games often have their own particular feel to them, but some of that is due to where the teams competing are going when they enter the contest. NC State was – and is – in a good place. The Wolfpack has fought all season and, of course, held its own against ranked opposition. With that in mind, the vibe was that NCSU would make a push despite trailing by four runs early in the regular season finale. And they did. 

With series wins in five of the six that they have faced against ranked teams and a tie in the other, there is no reason to think NC State will have fear in its heart during the postseason. Confidence is usually earned, and the Wolfpack has defeated all the best in the ACC. 

The play this season, along with the top-seed privileges that NCSU has in its ACC Championship pod, means the Wolfpack is a legitimate favorite to bring home a conference crown. 

What Sticks Out

The 2013 NC State team that won 50 games was a juggernaut, but my favorite Wolfpack team was the 2021 squad. 

What I liked best about the 2021 group was the balance in the batting order.

Think about baseball games of your favorite teams that you have watched over the years. In close games that are in the late innings, how many times have you thought, “If they can get the heart of the order back to bat one more time, they have a chance”.

In 2021, it did not matter where the NC State lineup was at late in close games. One through nine, the Wolfpack could hit for a high average, hit for power, steal bases, and make clutch plays. 

This season’s team reminds me of that. Dudes at the bottom of the order can rake. The Wolfpack offense is always a hop, skip, and jump away from exploding for runs. 

Personally, I think this season’s pitching might be better than 2021.  And while there will never be another Carlos Rodon, the Wolfpack has depth in its staff that can perhaps match the 2013 team. 

Sam Highfill and Logan Whitaker are veterans. Dominic Fritton is ready to blossom. Ryan Marohn, Cooper Consiglio, Jacob Dudan, and others provide stability and comfort that belies their age. Derrick Smith is a lockdown, conventional closer that NC State has not often had over the years. 

The bottom line is this -- if an NC State baseball team resembles the 2013 or 2021 squads, there is a chance it can go far. I think this one does. 

The Path To the ACC Championship Semifinals

Virginia Tech and Duke are two solid teams for Pod C, and NC State has dealt with the Blue Devils quite a bit in recent ACC Championships. 

For me, the better strategic scenario for the Wolfpack would be a Hokies win over the Blue Devils. I say this not to infer that Virginia Tech would be a pushover for NCSU. In fact, there will not be many more of those this season, if any at all. 

I feel the late game on Tuesday between the two will be competitive, and if NC State has to play Virginia Tech to advance on Wednesday night the Wolfpack can have all hands on deck – because should NCSU win it would not have to play meaningful baseball until Saturday at 5 p.m. (a break of almost three days). 

In that scenario, NC State then would likely have every pitcher used on Wednesday available for at least some work, and most ready for maximum usage. 

Should Duke beat VPI, it would mean NC State’s game to advance is one day later, and (should the Wolfpack win) the lull would be around 24 hours less. That is still ample time for NCSU to sort itself by Saturday and then make a push for the conference crown.

Looking Ahead

NC State will host a regional and will be in the mix to host Supers if they win the ACC title on Sunday. 

The lack of midweek success might be a concern in a regional scenario, especially if NC State loses early. I think the Wolfpack will fancy itself to pull through despite an early blip because they hit well, and they have enough relief pitching to navigate a four-game weekend. If the regional slogs on to Monday or Tuesday, those who took the mound on Friday can give some innings there. 

NC State is equipped to excel in a Super Regional. It, along with the finals of the College World Series, is college playoff baseball in its simplest form. It is a best-of-three series where two wins advance. The Wolfpack has been crushing weekend series all season and has done it against competition that is just as good as what it would likely face in the Supers – especially if NCSU is hosting. Once again, the body of work says the Pack should be taken seriously. 

Predictions 

ACC Championship: I list NC State as a favorite to win the 2024 ACC title and I predict they will win. 

Regional/Supers: The Wolfpack is equipped to compete well in both – perhaps better in Supers – and I think hosting the regional will give them the bounce to overcome any slippage. 

NC State’s weekend series record in ACC play tells me they can win a Supers setup anywhere, home or away. 

I predict the Wolfpack will reach the 2024 College World Series. 

As far as Omaha, I don’t like to pick a national champion until the eight teams that will be in Nebraska are finalized. I will say I think NC State can reach the Best-of-Three final and compete for the national crown, but a lot has to happen, including some aligning of the stars. 

Would it surprise me if NC State won the 2024 national title? No, not completely. 

I have not been this bullish for an NC State baseball team since 2021. That season I inaccurately predicted the Wolfpack would win the ACC and reach the finals of the College World Series. NCSU was just short on both, but I think the greater point is this version of the Pack is solid and has the potential to be the best squad in the program’s history.

There are titles out there for NC State. Let’s see if they can bring them home.