Story Poster
Photo by Steve Murphy/Inside Pack Sports
NC State Baseball

NCAA TOURNAMENT: Wolfpack Headed to Columbia

May 29, 2023
107,279

NC State (35-19, 13-16 ACC) has been selected to the 2023 NCAA College World Series Tournament and will play in the Columbia Regional as the No. 3 seed.

The Wolfpack will be paired against No. 2-seed Campbell (44-13, 22-5 Big South) as tournament play begins Friday at 1 p.m. from Founders Park. Regional host South Carolina (39-19, 16-13 SEC) will open against four-seed Central Connecticut State (36-12, 25-5 NEC). The Columbia Regional is matched against the Gainesville Regional which contains Florida, Connecticut, Texas Tech, and Florida A&M.

One of the more explosive teams in the Southeastern Conference, South Carolina currently sits within the top 10 teams in the country in home runs hit with 110, but the Gamecocks dropped nine of its last 11 regular-season games after starting the season 30-4 overall. South Carolina defeated Georgia in the SEC Tournament before suffering back-to-back losses to LSU and Texas A&M. NC State holds a 35-22 all-time record over South Carolina, but the Gamecocks have the latest victory in Charlotte on April 2, 2019, dowing the Wolfpack, 10-8.

Entering postseason play with many outlets projected they would host, the Camels secured their second straight Big South Championship with back-to-back wins over USC Upstate who took two out of three from Campbell in the final weekend of the regular season. The Wolfpack last faced the Camels on March 2, 2022 when Campbell took the win in Buies Creek, 7-4.

Central Connecticut State heads into the tournament as the automatic qualifier from the Northeastern Conference after winning five games in four days with the final two victories coming against Wagner by a combined margin of 20 runs. Should the teams meet, NC State will face the Blue Devils for the first time in school history.

Stay tuned to Inside Pack Sports for more information as the Wolfpack’s postseason continues.

NCAA TOURNAMENT: Wolfpack Headed to Columbia (GAME THREAD)

107,260 Views | 871 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Packsd14me
ChemE94
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
wilmwolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I've seen a lot of people saying on twitter that we only got in because of RPI, and how flawed RPI is and all that, but the fact that we weren't in the last 4 in tells me the committee actually looked closer at our resume than many of the keyboard pundits. The glaring negative on our resume was the losing conference record and losing 6 of 10 conference series. Looking closer,four of those losses were to #1 national seed WFU, #4 Clemson, #7 UVA, and #9 Miami. The other two were to teams in the field #2 regional seed BC and #3 UNC. Outside of that, we pretty much beat every team we were supposed to beat in and out of conference. Saying "you didn't beat the teams you weren't supposed to beat, so you aren't a tournament team" would be pretty ridiculous (just like it was when that justification was used against our basketball program in Keatts second year). Our resume was that of a tournament team. I would not argue we should be any higher than we were, but that resume should get you in the tournament every year barring an extreme number of bid stealers. Yes, it's harder for small conference teams to get an at large bid, but them's the breaks.


ETA- I also don't think it was some mea culpa for the snub last year. If we were in the last four in with similar numbers to last year over other deserving teams, then maybe, but we were better across the board and firmly in.
Just a guy on the sunshine squad.
The Gatekeeper.
Homer Dumbarse.
StateFan2001 will probably respond to this because he isn't smart enough to understand how ignore works.
Glasswolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely
I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, of course not. I said, well, I think you stink. And he gave me a technical. You can't trust em. Jim Valvano.

pack2010
How long do you want to ignore this user?
ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.


Ace for sure. Can't take chances in a 2/3 matchup
wilmwolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Tournament baseball. Do whatever it takes to win the first game, then figure it out from there. Rinse and repeat.
Just a guy on the sunshine squad.
The Gatekeeper.
Homer Dumbarse.
StateFan2001 will probably respond to this because he isn't smart enough to understand how ignore works.
Cthepack
How long do you want to ignore this user?
tau06 said:

M_A said:

Fair play to the scheduling, it worked out this year despite the ACC record


Pre season everyone was *****ing about how week the schedule was. Always find it funny how little most people actually know


Not sure what they were *****ing about but every week you play weekday games and a weekend series! No one should have been *****ing about that!
pbr1973
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Does anyone know which hotel the team will be staying yet?
Alex Gee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
tau06 said:

M_A said:

Fair play to the scheduling, it worked out this year despite the ACC record


Pre season everyone was *****ing about how week the schedule was. Always find it funny how little most people actually know
I've been beating this drum all year, man. As soon as we started ACC play, people were blaming losses on our "weak" schedule. Drove me nuts. Based on who we have played and how we have played them, I truly believe we can go as far as anyone. Flip side of that coin is we could be eliminated first weekend with a 1-2 record (We won't lose to Central Conn)
tau06
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Cthepack said:

tau06 said:

M_A said:

Fair play to the scheduling, it worked out this year despite the ACC record


Pre season everyone was *****ing about how week the schedule was. Always find it funny how little most people actually know


Not sure what they were *****ing about but every week you play weekday games and a weekend series! No one should have been *****ing about that!


Well done. You got me
Rob McLamb
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
As always, I wish everyone love, health, and happiness, but the dudes that thought NC State needed to play a weekend series against an SEC school in February made no sense at all.

Comparing schools like Miami, FSU, Louisville, Clemson, and Georgia Tech playing SEC schools, without acknowledging that those teams have actual rivals in that league, only accentuated the nonsense.
Twitter: @RobMcLamb
EthanBarry
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
tau06 said:

M_A said:

Fair play to the scheduling, it worked out this year despite the ACC record


Pre season everyone was *****ing about how week the schedule was. Always find it funny how little most people actually know


Credit to State, it worked out. I still don't know how the math worked with as bad as the 4 NC series ended up being, but it did. Kudos
Wolfer79
How long do you want to ignore this user?
For the 11th time in the past 13 years the NCAA Tournament has been held, the NC State baseball team will be heading to an NCAA Regional as it earned an at-large bid to play in the Columbia Regional with host and No. 15 overall seed South Carolina, Campbell and Central Connecticut State.

Third-seeded NC State (35-19) will open the NCAA Tournament on Friday, June 2, against second-seeded Campbell at 1 p.m. on ACC Network. The winner will face the winner of host South Carolina and fourth-seeded Central Connecticut State on Saturday. Each NCAA Regional features a double-elimination format.

The Wolfpack makes its 33rd postseason appearance and its 11th appearance since 2010. NC State has made an NCAA Regional appearance in 17 of the past 20 tournaments dating back to 2003. The Pack has advanced to an NCAA Regional 20 times during head coach Elliott Avent's head coaching career in Raleigh.

Friday afternoon's game against Campbell will be televised on ACC Network. All games in the NCAA Columbia Regional will be televised or streamed on the ESPN Family of Networks. Each NC State game will also be carried live on WKNC 88.1 and on the Varsity Network App with Andrew Sanders on the call.

Ticket Information
NCAA Regional booklets will be available to Gamecock Club members starting Tuesday, May 30, at 10 a.m. and ending Wednesday, May 31, at 5 p.m. A booklet includes tickets for all games of the Regional, held June 2-5. Booklets are available for $98 each. Remaining ticket inventory will be available to the general public starting Wednesday at 5 p.m. on Ticketmaster.com. Single-game standing-room only and bleacher seats will be available to the general public starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. The number for the Gamecock ticket office is 800-472-3267.

A link to the NCAA Columbia Regional's TicketMaster page can be found by clicking here.

2023 NCAA Baseball Columbia Regional Schedule
Founders Park Columbia, S.C.

Friday, June 2
Game 1 - #2 Campbell vs. #3 NC State | 1 p.m. | ACC Network & ESPN+
Game 2 - #1 South Carolina vs. #4 Central Connecticut State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Saturday, June 3
Game 3 Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 | Noon
Game 4 Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 | 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 4
Game 5 Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 | Noon
Game 6 Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 | 6 p.m.

Monday, June 5 (If Necessary)
Game 7 Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 | Time TBD

https://gopack.com/news/2023/5/29/baseball-pack9-selected-to-ncaa-columbia-regional.aspx
Bismarck
How long do you want to ignore this user?
11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.
EthanBarry
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
Alex Gee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
EthanBarry said:

Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
2020 as well. Never had a chance to find out, unfortunately.

That was probably his best team.
CLTWolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Alex Gee said:

EthanBarry said:

Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
2020 as well. Never had a chance to find out, unfortunately.

That was probably his best team.
Nick Swiney was well on his way to having one of the best years arguably ever for an NC State pitcher, IMO. Dude was unhittable. That start against Iowa, he was just filthy.
*Wolfpack Baseball - 2021 *NCAA COLLEGE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!
*Congrats to the 10 win 2021 Wolfpack football team!
BobbyCox95
How long do you want to ignore this user?
EthanBarry said:

Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
Which is even more remarkable when you consider the resources he has had to work with
pack2010
How long do you want to ignore this user?
CLTWolf said:

Alex Gee said:

EthanBarry said:

Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
2020 as well. Never had a chance to find out, unfortunately.

That was probably his best team.
Nick Swiney was well on his way to having one of the best years arguably ever for an NC State pitcher, IMO. Dude was unhittable. That start against Iowa, he was just filthy.


It was Purdue, but yeah. He was dominant
Alex Gee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
pack2010 said:

CLTWolf said:

Alex Gee said:

EthanBarry said:

Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
2020 as well. Never had a chance to find out, unfortunately.

That was probably his best team.
Nick Swiney was well on his way to having one of the best years arguably ever for an NC State pitcher, IMO. Dude was unhittable. That start against Iowa, he was just filthy.


It was Purdue, but yeah. He was dominant
In 4 starts he posted a 1.29 ERA, 0.679 WHIP, 13.5 K/9 and only gave up 13 hits in 28 innings.

99 Batters Faced, 42 Strikeouts. Silly.
AlleyPack
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Is there data anywhere that shows Campbell's batting statistics against LHP versus RHP?
Packchem91
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Glasswolf said:

ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely


In the regionals, I'm not sure I agree with this notion. Clearly, it's important to win G1. But it's equally important to win G2. That gives you the advantage. Losing g2 is same as losing G1 - you get the built in extra game.
I do get you don't face elimination as soon, but you still have to play more

For us, it seems vitally important to win the first two to have any shot
CLTWolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
pack2010 said:

CLTWolf said:

Alex Gee said:

EthanBarry said:

Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
2020 as well. Never had a chance to find out, unfortunately.

That was probably his best team.
Nick Swiney was well on his way to having one of the best years arguably ever for an NC State pitcher, IMO. Dude was unhittable. That start against Iowa, he was just filthy.


It was Purdue, but yeah. He was dominant
Purdue, Iowa, eh, all the same!

Was the same tournament tho, right? Thank you for the correction.

Nick was unhittable in 2020.

*Wolfpack Baseball - 2021 *NCAA COLLEGE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!
*Congrats to the 10 win 2021 Wolfpack football team!
pack2010
How long do you want to ignore this user?
CLTWolf said:

pack2010 said:

CLTWolf said:

Alex Gee said:

EthanBarry said:

Bismarck said:

11th regional in last 13 played
3 super regional appearances in same time frame
2 appearances in CWS
Nearly a national championship

Frustrating that we haven't won a championship. But to act like Avent isn't a really good manager or that the game has passed him by is certainly an opinion.


State had a national title caliber team in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
2020 as well. Never had a chance to find out, unfortunately.

That was probably his best team.
Nick Swiney was well on his way to having one of the best years arguably ever for an NC State pitcher, IMO. Dude was unhittable. That start against Iowa, he was just filthy.


It was Purdue, but yeah. He was dominant
Purdue, Iowa, eh, all the same!

Was the same tournament tho, right? Thank you for the correction.

Nick was unhittable in 2020.




Yup we played Iowa, Purdue and I am pretty sure Minnesota over 3 days. Beat them all pretty decently. What could have been
packman34
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Packchem91 said:

Glasswolf said:

ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely


In the regionals, I'm not sure I agree with this notion. Clearly, it's important to win G1. But it's equally important to win G2. That gives you the advantage. Losing g2 is same as losing G1 - you get the built in extra game.
I do get you don't face elimination as soon, but you still have to play more

For us, it seems vitally important to win the first two to have any shot
The only problem is you lose 1st game, your ace HAS to win 2nd game to get to the championship game(s) on Sunday, I would want to pit my ace pitcher against the weaker of the 2 teams will be facing to increase chances of winning that game. Although don't 100% know it will be USC on Saturday, have to assume it will be. So then who would you rather have your ace pitch against State or USC? If USC is presumed to be the tougher of the 2 teams, I would have him go against the Pack.

If were playing in 2nd game on Friday, at least would have the advantage of knowing who will be playing on Saturday, win or lose and could adjust accordingly. Playing in 1st game, I think you have to use your ace.
James Henderson
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
packman34 said:

Packchem91 said:

Glasswolf said:

ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely


In the regionals, I'm not sure I agree with this notion. Clearly, it's important to win G1. But it's equally important to win G2. That gives you the advantage. Losing g2 is same as losing G1 - you get the built in extra game.
I do get you don't face elimination as soon, but you still have to play more

For us, it seems vitally important to win the first two to have any shot
The only problem is you lose 1st game, your ace HAS to win 2nd game to get to the championship game(s) on Sunday, I would want to pit my ace pitcher against the weaker of the 2 teams will be facing to increase chances of winning that game. Although don't 100% know it will be USC on Saturday, have to assume it will be. So then who would you rather have your ace pitch against State or USC? If USC is presumed to be the tougher of the 2 teams, I would have him go against the Pack.

If were playing in 2nd game on Friday, at least would have the advantage of knowing who will be playing on Saturday, win or lose and could adjust accordingly. Playing in 1st game, I think you have to use your ace.
I view it differently. If you lose that first game, the Saturday matchup against the 4 seed is probably the easiest matchup left for the weekned. Start your 4th/bullpen guy then.

The goal is to win the Regional, not just Saturday.
Alex Gee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
packman34 said:

Packchem91 said:

Glasswolf said:

ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely


In the regionals, I'm not sure I agree with this notion. Clearly, it's important to win G1. But it's equally important to win G2. That gives you the advantage. Losing g2 is same as losing G1 - you get the built in extra game.
I do get you don't face elimination as soon, but you still have to play more

For us, it seems vitally important to win the first two to have any shot
The only problem is you lose 1st game, your ace HAS to win 2nd game to get to the championship game(s) on Sunday, I would want to pit my ace pitcher against the weaker of the 2 teams will be facing to increase chances of winning that game. Although don't 100% know it will be USC on Saturday, have to assume it will be. So then who would you rather have your ace pitch against State or USC? If USC is presumed to be the tougher of the 2 teams, I would have him go against the Pack.

If were playing in 2nd game on Friday, at least would have the advantage of knowing who will be playing on Saturday, win or lose and could adjust accordingly. Playing in 1st game, I think you have to use your ace.


In the Ruston regional we stuck with the rotation that had been used most of the year - Johnston, Highfill, Willadsen. Not sure if we'd do the same this season, but that would obviously mean Whitaker, Willadsen, Highfill.
DrummerboyWolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
James Henderson said:

packman34 said:

Packchem91 said:

Glasswolf said:

ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely


In the regionals, I'm not sure I agree with this notion. Clearly, it's important to win G1. But it's equally important to win G2. That gives you the advantage. Losing g2 is same as losing G1 - you get the built in extra game.
I do get you don't face elimination as soon, but you still have to play more

For us, it seems vitally important to win the first two to have any shot
The only problem is you lose 1st game, your ace HAS to win 2nd game to get to the championship game(s) on Sunday, I would want to pit my ace pitcher against the weaker of the 2 teams will be facing to increase chances of winning that game. Although don't 100% know it will be USC on Saturday, have to assume it will be. So then who would you rather have your ace pitch against State or USC? If USC is presumed to be the tougher of the 2 teams, I would have him go against the Pack.

If were playing in 2nd game on Friday, at least would have the advantage of knowing who will be playing on Saturday, win or lose and could adjust accordingly. Playing in 1st game, I think you have to use your ace.
I view it differently. If you lose that first game, the Saturday matchup against the 4 seed is probably the easiest matchup left for the weekned. Start your 4th/bullpen guy then.

The goal is to win the Regional, not just Saturday.
You don't even know if you will face the #4 seed if you lose. Good chance you will but no guarantees. The easiest way to win the regional is to win the first game. Win the first game and you only have to win two more to win the regional. Lose the first game and you have to win 4 more no matter what to win the regional. You MIGHT have to play 5 even if you win the first game, but the chances are better that you won't have to do that.
Being an N. C. State fan builds great character!
SportManagementEngineer
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I'd always say throw your ace in game 1. Winning the first game completely changes the weekend. Now if you look at us, we don't have a traditionally ace and our starters have all been good enough to beat anyone so I'd modify it to say use your bullpen aces in game 1.

Also, South Carolina really struggled down the stretch- it's no guarantee they win game one against the 4 seed.
Twitter: @JJwith2Jays
kmb717
How long do you want to ignore this user?
DrummerboyWolf said:

James Henderson said:

packman34 said:

Packchem91 said:

Glasswolf said:

ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely


In the regionals, I'm not sure I agree with this notion. Clearly, it's important to win G1. But it's equally important to win G2. That gives you the advantage. Losing g2 is same as losing G1 - you get the built in extra game.
I do get you don't face elimination as soon, but you still have to play more

For us, it seems vitally important to win the first two to have any shot
The only problem is you lose 1st game, your ace HAS to win 2nd game to get to the championship game(s) on Sunday, I would want to pit my ace pitcher against the weaker of the 2 teams will be facing to increase chances of winning that game. Although don't 100% know it will be USC on Saturday, have to assume it will be. So then who would you rather have your ace pitch against State or USC? If USC is presumed to be the tougher of the 2 teams, I would have him go against the Pack.

If were playing in 2nd game on Friday, at least would have the advantage of knowing who will be playing on Saturday, win or lose and could adjust accordingly. Playing in 1st game, I think you have to use your ace.
I view it differently. If you lose that first game, the Saturday matchup against the 4 seed is probably the easiest matchup left for the weekned. Start your 4th/bullpen guy then.

The goal is to win the Regional, not just Saturday.
You don't even know if you will face the #4 seed if you lose. Good chance you will but no guarantees. The easiest way to win the regional is to win the first game. Win the first game and you only have to win two more to win the regional. Lose the first game and you have to win 4 more no matter what to win the regional. You MIGHT have to play 5 even if you win the first game, but the chances are better that you won't have to do that.


If you win the first game but lose the second then you still need to win 3 more to win the regional, not 2. Doubleheader Sunday and then a deciding game on Monday.
Alex Gee
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
SportManagementEngineer said:

I'd always say throw your ace in game 1. Winning the first game completely changes the weekend. Now if you look at us, we don't have a traditionally ace and our starters have all been good enough to beat anyone so I'd modify it to say use your bullpen aces in game 1.

Also, South Carolina really struggled down the stretch- it's no guarantee they win game one against the 4 seed.


Struggle is relative though. They swept Florida who might be the best team in the country and then dropped series against teams that are hosting regionals. They're not going to lose to CCSU. That would be an all timer.

But to your point, 100% the best way to win this thing is to go 3-0. Use everything you have to win every game, day by day. You can punt a game in the supers but not in a regional or omaha.
DrummerboyWolf
How long do you want to ignore this user?
kmb717 said:

DrummerboyWolf said:

James Henderson said:

packman34 said:

Packchem91 said:

Glasswolf said:

ChemE94 said:

Campbell throw their ace or save him for SC? Given how important it is to start strong we probably get their best shot.
They have to beat us to get to SC most likely


In the regionals, I'm not sure I agree with this notion. Clearly, it's important to win G1. But it's equally important to win G2. That gives you the advantage. Losing g2 is same as losing G1 - you get the built in extra game.
I do get you don't face elimination as soon, but you still have to play more

For us, it seems vitally important to win the first two to have any shot
The only problem is you lose 1st game, your ace HAS to win 2nd game to get to the championship game(s) on Sunday, I would want to pit my ace pitcher against the weaker of the 2 teams will be facing to increase chances of winning that game. Although don't 100% know it will be USC on Saturday, have to assume it will be. So then who would you rather have your ace pitch against State or USC? If USC is presumed to be the tougher of the 2 teams, I would have him go against the Pack.

If were playing in 2nd game on Friday, at least would have the advantage of knowing who will be playing on Saturday, win or lose and could adjust accordingly. Playing in 1st game, I think you have to use your ace.
I view it differently. If you lose that first game, the Saturday matchup against the 4 seed is probably the easiest matchup left for the weekned. Start your 4th/bullpen guy then.

The goal is to win the Regional, not just Saturday.
You don't even know if you will face the #4 seed if you lose. Good chance you will but no guarantees. The easiest way to win the regional is to win the first game. Win the first game and you only have to win two more to win the regional. Lose the first game and you have to win 4 more no matter what to win the regional. You MIGHT have to play 5 even if you win the first game, but the chances are better that you won't have to do that.


If you win the first game but lose the second then you still need to win 3 more to win the regional, not 2. Doubleheader Sunday and then a deciding game on Monday.
And that is exactly what I said. I said "you might have to play 5 even if you win the first game." If you win the first game, you have the possibility of winning two more and being regional champs. You win the first 2 then you wait for the winner of the loser's bracket and if you take care of business in that game you would only play 3. Sort of like we did at Louisiana Tech.
Being an N. C. State fan builds great character!
Nairo
How long do you want to ignore this user?
It's Columbia so will probably have cages over the windows

pbr1973 said:

Does anyone know which hotel the team will be staying yet?
Wolfer79
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Wolfer79
How long do you want to ignore this user?
matracey
How long do you want to ignore this user?


This will make it interesting for Game 2 with whoever is in the loser's bracket
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.