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NC State Baseball

NCAA TOURNAMENT: Raleigh Regional Unveiled

May 27, 2024
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No. 10 seed NC State will host South Carolina, James Madison, and Bryant in the 2024 NCAA Baseball Championship Tournament.

The Wolfpack’s regional will be paired against the Athens Regional which features No. 7 Georgia, UNC Wilmington, Georgia Tech, and Army.

The Gamecocks (36-23, 13-17 SEC) head to Raleigh after hosting the Wolfpack in the 2023 Columbia Regional. South Carolina finished 2024 in fifth place in the Southeastern Conference’s East division behind Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. Despite picking up three wins in Hoover, Ala., the Cocks fell out of conference title contention after a pair of losses to eventual runner-up LSU.

The Dukes (34-23, 17-13 Sun Belt) finished the regular season fourth in the Sun Belt standings. However, JMU would get eliminated by Georgia Southern in the conference tournament in the semifinal round. This marks the first time since 2020 that the Dukes will play in Raleigh.

The Bulldogs (36-19, 17-7, American East) venture to Doak Field as champions of the American East conference. After concluding the regular season three games ahead of second-place UMBC, Bryant bested UMass Lowell in the conference tournament opener before a pair of wins against the Retrievers, the second of which by a margin of 15-10, to clinch the American East’s automatic bid.

The 2024 NCAA Tournament begins on Friday, May 31. First pitch between the Gamecocks and the Dukes is slated for 2 p.m. with the Wolfpack’s game versus the Bulldogs scheduled for 7 p.m.

NCAA TOURNAMENT: Raleigh Regional Unveiled (Highfill GM 1 starter)

26,714 Views | 126 Replies | Last: 6 mo ago by SportManagementEngineer
wilmwolf
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In reply to Alex Gee • 1:02p, 5/28/24
Alex Gee said:
Glasswolf said:
tau06 said:
I believe Sam had a no hitter through 4 and looked as good as he has in about any game of that caliber all season if I'm not mistaken. Just throwing that out there


No worse than a one hitter but it was obvious the batters were waiting him to throw a strike and after 2 walks you have to make the move.

It's the post season. The hooks should be quicker


There weren't 2 walks. It was a pop fly out that somehow left the park. 2 flair singles on 3 pitches, then a walk on a 3-2 battled count. It literally took 4 mins to happen. Impossible to have someone ready to come in the game there.
I agree with you, and I'm not sure any coach would have a guy warming to start the inning with their most experienced pitcher throwing a no hitter after 4 innings. Maybe should've gotten someone going a batter sooner, but hindsight is 20/20 on decisions like these.
Just a guy on the sunshine squad.
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StateFan2001
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In reply to Alex Gee • 1:02p, 5/28/24
Alex Gee said:
StateFan2001 said:
Alex Gee said:
I'd let Sam go throw 120 pitches and throw Fritton in winners Saturday night.


You are throwing Sam against Bryant?? I personally am not using either of my top 2 guys against Bryant. We have to be able to get that win with either Whitaker or Marohn on the mound. I personally go Whitaker. Would certainly want him to get deep and preserve the pen.


Yes, if Sam can give you 8 innings then you are in a great spot to win the regional. I mean I guess that could be Whitaker too, but I'm not just writing off Bryant. Get in the winners bracket.

I think Fritton has the best stuff on the staff so I'd want to throw him against USC.

They both are going to have to throw against USC. Who starts first game vs second game against them - I could go either way. I think a 5th year guy as experienced as Whitaker is perfect for Bryant game. Get as deep as he can and hopefully use bullpen arms that don't figure heavily into Saturday (secondary bullpen arms). Offense needs to do its job against Bryant.
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Alex Gee
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In reply to Slobbering_Wolf • 1:07p, 5/28/24
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Slobbering_Wolf said:
Alex Gee said:
StateFan2001 said:
Alex Gee said:
I'd let Sam go throw 120 pitches and throw Fritton in winners Saturday night.


You are throwing Sam against Bryant?? I personally am not using either of my top 2 guys against Bryant. We have to be able to get that win with either Whitaker or Marohn on the mound. I personally go Whitaker. Would certainly want him to get deep and preserve the pen.


Yes, if Sam can give you 8 innings then you are in a great spot to win the regional. I mean I guess that could be Whitaker too, but I'm not just writing off Bryant. Get in the winners bracket.

I think Fritton has the best stuff on the staff so I'd want to throw him against USC.


Yeah but SC is fastball hitting heavy right? Not sure that bodes well for Fritton


I mean everyone is a fastball heavy hitting team. I just think that Dom has the best shot of those 3 to match the draft talent. When he's on, he's our best guy.

I mentioned it on one of our podcasts here recently that there's not a ton of differential between SH, LW, & DF right now which I think is a good thing. Dom is the one of that group though that has the highest second gear IMO.
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Alex Gee
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In reply to StateFan2001 • 1:09p, 5/28/24
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Well the Saturday winner's game is the most important game of a regional and I don't think that can really be disagreed with. So I want to take my best swing in that one. If you lose that one then two of those 3 guys won't throw against USC. Gotta use your best guy to avoid elimination at that point.
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StateFan2001
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In reply to Alex Gee • 1:13p, 5/28/24
Alex Gee said:
Well the Saturday winner's game is the most important game of a regional and I don't think that can really be disagreed with. So I want to take my best swing in that one. If you lose that one then two of those 3 guys won't throw against USC. Gotta use your best guy to avoid elimination at that point.


I agree on Saturday and I agree Dom has the second gear. I just don't trust either one more than the other so take your pick from my perspective. Not having that dude is what this team is missing unfortunately.
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DrummerboyWolf
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In reply to Alex Gee • 1:17p, 5/28/24
Alex Gee said:
Well the Saturday winner's game is the most important game of a regional and I don't think that can really be disagreed with. So I want to take my best swing in that one. If you lose that one then two of those 3 guys won't throw against USC. Gotta use your best guy to avoid elimination at that point.
No it's not. Winning the first game of the regional that gets you to that game. You lose that first game, then you are stuck in the loser's bracket and have to win 4 games in 3 days. The first game is key.
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StateFan2001
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In reply to DrummerboyWolf • 1:18p, 5/28/24
I think that is understood by all but you aren't burning your top arm against Bryant. You won't see any 1 seed throwing their ace against the 4 seed.
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Alex Gee
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In reply to DrummerboyWolf • 1:22p, 5/28/24
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DrummerboyWolf said:
Alex Gee said:
Well the Saturday winner's game is the most important game of a regional and I don't think that can really be disagreed with. So I want to take my best swing in that one. If you lose that one then two of those 3 guys won't throw against USC. Gotta use your best guy to avoid elimination at that point.
No it's not. Winning the first game of the regional that gets you to that game. You lose that first game, then you are stuck in the loser's bracket and have to win 4 games in 3 days. The first game is key.


Of course, but way less so in the 1-4 matchup than the 2-3. That's the benefit of hosting. USC and JMU should have to really duke it out. We should be able to get by comfortably with offense and eating innings.

I think realistically this is a best of 3 series against USC anyways. That makes the Saturday night game even more critical than it normally would be.
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DrummerboyWolf
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In reply to StateFan2001 • 1:25p, 5/28/24
StateFan2001 said:
I think that is understood by all but you aren't burning your top arm against Bryant. You won't see any 1 seed throwing their ace against the 4 seed.
Who would that ace be? Right now, recently, the best guy pitching has been Marohn or Consiglio. Sam has had some decent outings, but again has not been consistent. If it's the Sam of 2021 I say absolutely he should go Saturday, but that is not the case now. It's unfortunate what injuries have done to him but he is not the same guy.
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Alex Gee
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In reply to DrummerboyWolf • 1:29p, 5/28/24
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DrummerboyWolf said:
StateFan2001 said:
I think that is understood by all but you aren't burning your top arm against Bryant. You won't see any 1 seed throwing their ace against the 4 seed.
Who would that ace be? Right now, recently, the best guy pitching has been Marohn. Sam has had some decent outings, but again has not been consistent. If it's the Sam of 2021 I say absolutely he should go Saturday, but that is not the case now. It's unfortunate what injuries have done to him but he is not the same guy.


Sam was 3rd team all acc and NC State only lost 2 games that he pitched in.

Is he a future first rounder? No, but he's still a guy a lot of teams don't want to see on the hill against them in a big spot.
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StateFan2001
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In reply to Alex Gee • 1:39p, 5/28/24
Alex Gee said:
DrummerboyWolf said:
StateFan2001 said:
I think that is understood by all but you aren't burning your top arm against Bryant. You won't see any 1 seed throwing their ace against the 4 seed.
Who would that ace be? Right now, recently, the best guy pitching has been Marohn. Sam has had some decent outings, but again has not been consistent. If it's the Sam of 2021 I say absolutely he should go Saturday, but that is not the case now. It's unfortunate what injuries have done to him but he is not the same guy.


Sam was 3rd team all acc and NC State only lost 2 games that he pitched in.

Is he a future first rounder? No, but he's still a guy a lot of teams don't want to see on the hill against them in a big spot.


Yep not a lockdown guy at this point but did win alot of games on Friday nights.
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Alex Gee
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In reply to StateFan2001 • 1:42p, 5/28/24
Staff
I liked Ethan's graphic quite a bit.
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Glasswolf
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In reply to Alex Gee • 1:45p, 5/28/24
Alex Gee said:
Well the Saturday winner's game is the most important game of a regional and I don't think that can really be disagreed with. So I want to take my best swing in that one. If you lose that one then two of those 3 guys won't throw against USC. Gotta use your best guy to avoid elimination at that point.
Have to get to the winners bracket first. Remember when Army beat us in 2018?
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StateFan2001
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In reply to Alex Gee • 1:47p, 5/28/24
Funny
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Alex Gee
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In reply to Glasswolf • 1:51p, 5/28/24
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Yeah we didn't hit at all. It didn't have anything to do with pitching which I think we all seem to have a consensus on here. Score 10+ save arms.
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Glasswolf
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In reply to Alex Gee • 2:06p, 5/28/24
Alex Gee said:
Yeah we didn't hit at all. It didn't have anything to do with pitching which I think we all seem to have a consensus on here. Score 10+ save arms.
It still puts you behind the 8 ball and SC is not a easy out. N either are we but you have to win Friday. So does SC. Sam is experienced and has been in pressure situations before but this isn't the 2021 Highfill either. Not arm wise anyway
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StateFan2001
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In reply to Glasswolf • 2:17p, 5/28/24
Trying to follow here. Are you saying we throw Sam against Bryant?
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StateFan2001
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2:22p, 5/28/24
For me, we have to presumably play SC at least twice and I am going Dom and Sam on those 2 games. If we have to go to a 3rd game with SC ideally for me Consiglio starts that game (if we haven't burned him out of the pen). Whitaker against Bryant. Marohn is a wildcard where he gets used. Hopefully can hold Dudan and Smith for Saturday and Sunday.
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Glasswolf
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In reply to StateFan2001 • 3:32p, 5/28/24
StateFan2001 said:
Trying to follow here. Are you saying we throw Sam against Bryant?
No. You're going to have to beat SC twice in most all likely hood. But history has shown us you have to win Friday. Don't get to cute. Win Friday. Whether Army out hit us or not in 2018 they did. I would thrown Marohn or Whit. Save Fritton and Highfill for Saturday. SC will throw near their best Saturday if they win. Baseball is complicated. I'm not a stats guy. CTC said stats are for losers. Matchups. Sometimes it's just a gut feeling.
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StateFan2001
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In reply to Glasswolf • 4:07p, 5/28/24
Ok yeah agree
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StateFan2001
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6:19p, 5/28/24
Can we put a ticket exchange topic on here. I will be looking for Sunday if anyone has 4.
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DecaturWolf
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In reply to Glasswolf • 8:26p, 5/28/24
Glasswolf said:
tau06 said:
I believe Sam had a no hitter through 4 and looked as good as he has in about any game of that caliber all season if I'm not mistaken. Just throwing that out there


No worse than a one hitter but it was obvious the batters were waiting him to throw a strike and after 2 walks you have to make the move.

It's the post season. The hooks should be quicker
Yes, but we did not have a guy warmed up at that point.
Posted for years as ColoradoWolf and Rick from Littleton. On Twitter as @espwapoujacmel
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JCooke93
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In reply to DecaturWolf • 8:36p, 5/28/24
Yup
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Glasswolf
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In reply to DecaturWolf • 9:43p, 5/28/24
DecaturWolf said:
Glasswolf said:
tau06 said:
I believe Sam had a no hitter through 4 and looked as good as he has in about any game of that caliber all season if I'm not mistaken. Just throwing that out there


No worse than a one hitter but it was obvious the batters were waiting him to throw a strike and after 2 walks you have to make the move.

It's the post season. The hooks should be quicker
Yes, but we did not have a guy warmed up at that point.
That's why someone needs to be soft tossing.
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Nairo
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7:12a, 5/29/24
Let's not be dumb. Marohn, Highfill/Bullpen, Fritton, Whitaker in the hole for game four if needed
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FLWolf
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7:34a, 5/29/24
I really like our depth but we just don't have that stud #1
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DJncsu13
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In reply to FLWolf • 8:06a, 5/29/24
FLWolf said:
I really like our depth but we just don't have that stud #1


I've been thinking about this also. We have solid veteran starters which is valuable. We also have high end talent in the bullpen. Just need to figure how to maximize that this weekend. As others have said, Avent will need to pick his spots well and have a quick hook when necessary.
"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack"
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Alex Gee
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In reply to Nairo • 8:43a, 5/29/24
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Nairo said:
Let's not be dumb. Marohn, Highfill/Bullpen, Fritton, Whitaker in the hole for game four if needed
Can't imagine going a weekend without potentially using Whitaker, which is why I don't think you use Marohn on Friday night. Need length in that spot which he hasn't given.
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wilmwolf
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In reply to Alex Gee • 9:22a, 5/29/24
Alex Gee said:
Nairo said:
Let's not be dumb. Marohn, Highfill/Bullpen, Fritton, Whitaker in the hole for game four if needed
Can't imagine going a weekend without potentially using Whitaker, which is why I don't think you use Marohn on Friday night. Need length in that spot which he hasn't given.


I just think a long relief guy like Marohn is too important to burn on a Friday start, but I thought that in the ACC tournament, so we'll probably start him. It just doesn't leave you with a large margin of error for the starters.
Just a guy on the sunshine squad.
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Glasswolf
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In reply to Alex Gee • 9:31a, 5/29/24
Alex Gee said:
Nairo said:
Let's not be dumb. Marohn, Highfill/Bullpen, Fritton, Whitaker in the hole for game four if needed
Can't imagine going a weekend without potentially using Whitaker, which is why I don't think you use Marohn on Friday night. Need length in that spot which he hasn't given.
After some thought I think you stick with your main 3 guys. Just not sure about the order yet.
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StateFan2001
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In reply to Glasswolf • 9:44a, 5/29/24
Glasswolf said:
Alex Gee said:
Nairo said:
Let's not be dumb. Marohn, Highfill/Bullpen, Fritton, Whitaker in the hole for game four if needed
Can't imagine going a weekend without potentially using Whitaker, which is why I don't think you use Marohn on Friday night. Need length in that spot which he hasn't given.
After some thought I think you stick with your main 3 guys. Just not sure about the order yet.
Yep, no question for me the starters are your main 3 for the first 3 games. As I think about it, I am leaning toward:

Bryant - Whitaker
USC - Fritton
USC - Highfill
if USC - Consiglio (if he hasn't been used up already)
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Wolfer79
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In reply to StateFan2001 • 9:46a, 5/29/24
StateFan2001 said:
Can we put a ticket exchange topic on here. I will be looking for Sunday if anyone has 4.


There are 3 BUY/SELL Raleigh Regional topics on The Ticket Exchange.

A 4th topic is not needed

https://insidepacksports.com/forums/6
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Wolfer79
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9:46a, 5/29/24
Email this morning

Single Session Tickets On Sale Now!

Standing room only (SRO) tickets are now available for single sessions. Please note that limited reserved locations may become available on game days following the NCAA's deadline for institutions to return tickets.

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matracey
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10:09a, 5/29/24
Talking with the FQ ACC guys last night they were convinced that Dom should start Friday and Sam on Saturday.

Reason being South Carolina either walks a ton (4th in the NCAA in walk rate) or strikes out a ton (292nd in NCAA in K rate) and Sam has both better walk numbers and strike out numbers than Dom.
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StateFan2001
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In reply to matracey • 10:32a, 5/29/24
matracey said:
Talking with the FQ ACC guys last night they were convinced that Dom should start Friday and Sam on Saturday.

Reason being South Carolina either walks a ton (4th in the NCAA in walk rate) or strikes out a ton (292nd in NCAA in K rate) and Sam has both better walk numbers and strike out numbers than Dom.
Zero chance of throwing Dom against the 4 seed. Sam and Dom both need to be set to go against USC.
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