NC State Baseball

NC State baseball headed to Louisana for NCAA Regional

The Wolfpack will be the 2-seed in Ruston and face 3-seed Alabama Friday.
By Andrew Schnittker
May 31, 2021
158k Views
1048 Comments
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Photo by Laura Wolff

NC State baseball’s season will continue this weeked in the NCAA regional round. After falling just short in a 1-0 loss to Duke in the ACC Championship Game, the Wolfpack will look to advance to a Super Regional for the first time since 2013 by winning the Ruston, Louisana Regional, hosted by Louisiana Tech.

After starting the regular season 1-8 and then finishing 24-6 and making it the conference title game, the Pack will be the 2-seed in this regional behind 1-seed Louisiana Tech. The Wolfpack will start things off against 3-seed Alabama Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPN3. 4-seed Rider rounds out the group. 

Alabama went 31-24 overall this year and finished 11th in a loaded SEC. Louisana Tech went 40-18 and fell to Old Dominion in the Conference USA Championship game. Rider finished 23-16 but won the MAAC Tournament. 

The winner of this regional would face the winner of the Fayetteville, Araknas Regional, hosted by No. 1 overall seed Arkansas, in the Super Regional round. 

Stay tuned to IPS for much more on NC State’s upcoming matchups in this regional. 

 

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NC State baseball headed to Louisana for NCAA Regional

158,155 Views | 1048 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by pack95
kmb717
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In reply to wolfpack1437 • 9:08p, 6/2/21
wolfpack1437 said:
Wolfer79 said:

They are in the same regional but unlikely to play each other.....unless Rider upsets LA Tech


Or if we lose to Alabama
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wolfpack1437
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In reply to kmb717 • 9:14p, 6/2/21
kmb717 said:
wolfpack1437 said:
Wolfer79 said:

They are in the same regional but unlikely to play each other.....unless Rider upsets LA Tech


Or if we lose to Alabama
I was implying that wasn't going to happen
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JCooke93
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In reply to wolfpack1437 • 8:27a, 6/3/21
UVA and Maryland in 2015 on their way back from California their Regionals
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AlleyPack
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10:10a, 6/3/21
Here's an interesting thing with these regionals...
Most times, I think the No. 2, 3, and 4 seeded teams throw their No. 1, "ace" starter in the first game.

The 2 vs. 3 teams know they match up fairly evenly and don't want to lose the first game and be behind the 8-ball, so they throw their aces.
The No. 4 team is obviously trying to pull off a miracle and knock off No. 1 --- so they, too, throw their ace.

That leaves the No. 1 team.
They are facing a 4th seed -- occasionally from a no-name conference and that inched their way into the tourney through automatic qualification.

Does the No. 1 seed risk not throwing their ace -- instead opting to save him for game two? (the 2 or 3 seed)

I know there are a lot of variables --- is their No. 2 starter almost as good as their ace... does the No. 4 seed have a true "stud" pitcher... etc. etc.

But over the years when a 4th seed has upset a 1st seed, I wonder how many of those times featured a situation where the 1st seed did NOT throw their ace in game one and it came back to bite them.

(All of this is a prelude to, "I wonder if La Tech will throw their ace against Rider, or save him".)
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JCooke93
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In reply to AlleyPack • 10:17a, 6/3/21
Have to throw your Ace in game one but some teams do dumb things and don't do that
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AlleyPack
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In reply to JCooke93 • 10:25a, 6/3/21
JCooke93 said:
Have to throw your Ace in game one but some teams do dumb things and don't do that

I agree (with both points).

I wonder if anyone has ever done an analysis of the past "4 beats a 1 seed in game one" occurrences to see if an ace was held back.

Anyway, just some random thoughts as we wait for Friday.
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Wolfer79
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11:10a, 6/3/21
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Wolfer79
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11:21a, 6/3/21

In this special episode of #Beyond1894, our hosts discuss @LATechBSB's two huge tournament weekends, with a preview of the upcoming NCAA Regional in Ruston that coincides with the 71st Annual @lapeachfest for a truly historic (and busy) time in our city.

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castlewood107
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11:22a, 6/3/21
Wow It appears Bama isn't throwing its top pitcher (Dylan Smith) but instead Tyler Ras (5+ ERA, low strikeout guy)

Smith has twice as many Ks in almost the same innings. This is good?!

We are throwing Reid per gopack. Good.
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Wolfer79
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11:22a, 6/3/21
.@NCStateBaseball is competing against Alabama, Louisiana Tech and Rider in the Ruston Regional starting on June 4.

The top team from the regional will advance and face the top team from the Fayetteville Regional.
@molliecmitchell
https://t.co/b8nKms5QDZ
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Wolfer79
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11:24a, 6/3/21
No. 16 NC State baseball (30-17) is set to make its 32nd NCAA Tournament appearance this weekend as it travels to Ruston, La., for the NCAA Ruston Regional, hosted by Louisiana Tech (40-18). The Wolfpack, who earned the No. 2 seed, and the top-seeded Bulldogs are joined by No. 3 seed Alabama (31-24) and fourth-seeded Rider (23-16).

All games will be played at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park Friday, June 4 through Monday, June 7. The games will be broadcast on ESPN3 and there will be a free audio stream on WKNC 88.1 and the TuneIn App.

NCAA RUSTON REGIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, June 4
Game 1 - #2 NC State vs. #3 Alabama @ 2 PM ET
Game 2 - #1 Louisiana Tech vs. #4 Rider @ 7 PM ET

Saturday, June 5
Game 3 Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 @ 2 PM ET
Game 4 Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 @ 7 PM ET

Sunday, June 6
Game 5 Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 @ 2 PM ET
Game 6 Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 @ 7 PM ET

Monday, June 7 (If Necessary)
Game 7 Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 4 PM ET

FRIDAY'S STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Reid Johnston (NCSU) vs. RHP Tyler Ras (ALA)
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Wolfer79
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11:24a, 6/3/21
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JCooke93
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11:58a, 6/3/21
Reid Gets the ball tomorrow
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Wolfer79
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12:11p, 6/3/21
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gopack1979
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12:40p, 6/3/21
Gross!! What is it with these Turf fields???? I get it up North but why in LA?
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Cornpack
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In reply to gopack1979 • 1:40p, 6/3/21
gopack1979 said:
Gross!! What is it with these Turf fields???? I get it up North but why in LA?

It used to be grass but their baseball field, and campus as a whole, took a direct hit from a tornado in 2019. Maybe they figured it would be worth the cost to go to turf if they had to rebuild the field anyways.
Retired internet funny guy
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Colonel Armstrong
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In reply to Wolfer79 • 1:46p, 6/3/21
Wolfer79 said:


Our games on ESPN3
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pack2010
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In reply to castlewood107 • 1:47p, 6/3/21
castlewood107 said:
Wow It appears Bama isn't throwing its top pitcher (Dylan Smith) but instead Tyler Ras (5+ ERA, low strikeout guy)

Smith has twice as many Ks in almost the same innings. This is good?!

We are throwing Reid per gopack. Good.
Ras was their Friday guy all year. He is more than capable of shutting us down, but we are more than capable of hitting him, too. Some of his notable stat lines

vs Ark- 6 innings 1 earned
vs Ole Miss 6 innings 1 earned

Both of those teams are 2 of the best offenses in the SEC

On the flip side, he went 4 IP vs Auburn and gave up 6 runs and 8 hits. He also went 4 innings and gave up 8 runs vs both Missouri and Vandy.

His last start in the SEC tourney vs South Carolina he went 6 IP gave up 5 hits and 3 runs.
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wilmwolf
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1:51p, 6/3/21
I feel better against a RHP. I don't know what the stats bear out, but it seems likes it's more favorable for our lineup.
Just a guy on the sunshine squad.
The Gatekeeper.
Homer Dumbarse.
StateFan2001's favorite poster.
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castlewood107
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In reply to pack2010 • 1:55p, 6/3/21
I hear ya. read this line straight from their web site on Smith's bio earlier this week and just assumed he would be the guy:

"Been Alabama's ace this season and leads UA in innings pitched (89.1) and strikeouts (106)"



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Wolfer79
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2:04p, 6/3/21
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pack4life11
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In reply to pack2010 • 2:14p, 6/3/21
pack2010 said:
castlewood107 said:
Wow It appears Bama isn't throwing its top pitcher (Dylan Smith) but instead Tyler Ras (5+ ERA, low strikeout guy)

Smith has twice as many Ks in almost the same innings. This is good?!

We are throwing Reid per gopack. Good.
Ras was their Friday guy all year. He is more than capable of shutting us down, but we are more than capable of hitting him, too. Some of his notable stat lines

vs Ark- 6 innings 1 earned
vs Ole Miss 6 innings 1 earned

Both of those teams are 2 of the best offenses in the SEC

On the flip side, he went 4 IP vs Auburn and gave up 6 runs and 8 hits. He also went 4 innings and gave up 8 runs vs both Missouri and Vandy.

His last start in the SEC tourney vs South Carolina he went 6 IP gave up 5 hits and 3 runs.


Unless we've taken a new approach to hitting this week or if this guy can stay on the outside half of the plate with 2 different pitches, we're gonna have our hands full.
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Wolfer79
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2:40p, 6/3/21
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pack2010
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In reply to pack4life11 • 3:29p, 6/3/21
pack4life11 said:
pack2010 said:
castlewood107 said:
Wow It appears Bama isn't throwing its top pitcher (Dylan Smith) but instead Tyler Ras (5+ ERA, low strikeout guy)

Smith has twice as many Ks in almost the same innings. This is good?!

We are throwing Reid per gopack. Good.
Ras was their Friday guy all year. He is more than capable of shutting us down, but we are more than capable of hitting him, too. Some of his notable stat lines

vs Ark- 6 innings 1 earned
vs Ole Miss 6 innings 1 earned

Both of those teams are 2 of the best offenses in the SEC

On the flip side, he went 4 IP vs Auburn and gave up 6 runs and 8 hits. He also went 4 innings and gave up 8 runs vs both Missouri and Vandy.

His last start in the SEC tourney vs South Carolina he went 6 IP gave up 5 hits and 3 runs.


Unless we've taken a new approach to hitting this week or if this guy can stay on the outside half of the plate with 2 different pitches, we're gonna have our hands full.


We were the best hitting team in the ACC over the course of a season. We were bad for less than 10% of it. I'll take the 90% odds
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Wolfer79
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4:12p, 6/3/21
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pack4life11
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In reply to pack2010 • 4:34p, 6/3/21
pack2010 said:
pack4life11 said:
pack2010 said:
castlewood107 said:
Wow It appears Bama isn't throwing its top pitcher (Dylan Smith) but instead Tyler Ras (5+ ERA, low strikeout guy)

Smith has twice as many Ks in almost the same innings. This is good?!

We are throwing Reid per gopack. Good.
Ras was their Friday guy all year. He is more than capable of shutting us down, but we are more than capable of hitting him, too. Some of his notable stat lines

vs Ark- 6 innings 1 earned
vs Ole Miss 6 innings 1 earned

Both of those teams are 2 of the best offenses in the SEC

On the flip side, he went 4 IP vs Auburn and gave up 6 runs and 8 hits. He also went 4 innings and gave up 8 runs vs both Missouri and Vandy.

His last start in the SEC tourney vs South Carolina he went 6 IP gave up 5 hits and 3 runs.


Unless we've taken a new approach to hitting this week or if this guy can stay on the outside half of the plate with 2 different pitches, we're gonna have our hands full.


We were the best hitting team in the ACC over the course of a season. We were bad for less than 10% of it. I'll take the 90% odds


Valid point, but let's see if teams learned anything (or if our team learned anything) from last weekend and discuss early next week!
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Wolfer79
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5:42p, 6/3/21
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EthanBarry
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5:43p, 6/3/21
La Tech announced Fincher is starting Friday, so State is dodging the two best starters in the regional. Huge break
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pack2010
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In reply to EthanBarry • 6:57p, 6/3/21
EthanBarry said:
La Tech announced Fincher is starting Friday, so State is dodging the two best starters in the regional. Huge break

Wow, interesting. Bold, bold move. If we were a host playing Rider I would hope we didn't throw Reid
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kmb717
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7:54p, 6/3/21


Draftkings odds to win our regional. LA Tech slight favorites.
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EthanBarry
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In reply to kmb717 • 8:37p, 6/3/21
kmb717 said:


Draftkings odds to win our regional. LA Tech slight favorites.
Interesting. Thanks for passing along. FWIW, State has the lowest (most likely) odds to win a regional of a non 1 seed, although they also are much lower to win the CWS than you'd think. ~25 teams ahead of them, presumably because of Arkansas in the supers
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castlewood107
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In reply to EthanBarry • 8:16a, 6/4/21
Very strange, Rider is pretty bad for a 4 I would guess.

More good news for us.
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Wolfer79
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8:27a, 6/4/21
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AlleyPack
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In reply to EthanBarry • 8:29a, 6/4/21
EthanBarry said:
La Tech announced Fincher is starting Friday, so State is dodging the two best starters in the regional. Huge break

IF we beat Bama (and La Tech also wins) -- not making any assumptions -- then we'd likely face Jarret Whorff.

He's had several mediocre starts. Gave up 4 ER in 5 IP vs. Southern... 4 ER in 6 IP vs. Tulane... 4 ER in 3 IP vs. UT San Antonio... etc.

However, one start stands out in the other direction: He threw a complete-game shutout vs. Arkansas on 3/14.
9 IP, 2H, 1BB, and 10 K's.
He had a decent strikeout performance against Marshall later in the year (9 k's in 6.1 IP with 4 ER), but nothing else even remotely approached that Arkansas game.

So... yeah. Who knows. The guy is a bit of an enigma. 12 HBP, 9 WP, gives up more than a hit an inning -- yet that dominance vs. the Razorbacks. (maybe they played all their reserves in that game? who knows)

But I'm guessing the La Tech coach wants to win their first game (vs. Rider) no matter what, and thus are throwing Fincher -- and then he's hoping that Whorff can rise to the occasion against us the same way he did against Arkansas.
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wolfpack1437
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9:50a, 6/4/21
C'mon Pack, get it started on the right foot!
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