NC State Baseball (8-1) will be in action at Doak Field again this weekend. The Wolfpack got off to an extremely hot start to the 2018 season and looks to keep that going into approaching conference play.
NC State has a more unconventional schedule this weekend, playing three different opponents in three days. The weekend starts off with Bowling Green (2-6) on Friday at 3 p.m., followed by Campbell (2-5) Saturday at 2 p.m. The weekend wraps up with Canisius (5-2) at noon on Sunday.
Brett Kinneman is putting up video game numbers
Something to watch for this weekend is junior left fielder Brett Kinneman. He’s batting .487 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs on the season. In the last six games, he’s 17 for 27 (.629) with seven home runs, nine runs and 21 RBIs.
Last week, Kinneman was the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week and ACC Player of the Week. He is leading all of Division I college baseball in home runs, RBIs, total bases and is tied for the lead in hits.
There is no doubt that he is on a tear, but how long can he keep it up? With ACC play starting on March 9 against Boston College, the Pack could really use his bat staying hot.
Clicking Offense
Even aside from Kinneman, the whole offense has been clicking. NC State is tied for 11th in runs in the entire country at 78, that’s almost nine runs per game. The Pack also leads the ACC in most major offensive categories.
Another hot hitter, Josh McLain has 15 hits including four doubles and a home run. Other players with double-digit hits are outfielders Brock Deatherage, senior, and redshirt sophomore Dillon Cooper.
The Pack has also had players step up with injuries. Freshman infielders J.T. Jarrett and David Vazquez have been able to produce when given their opportunities. Jarret is 4 for 12 is his four starts and Vazquez has two extra-base hits including a home run in three starts.
Fresh bullpen and strong starting pitching
On paper, if you look for a weakness on this NC State Baseball team, you’ll likely find it in the bullpen. Injuries have thinned out a young bullpen, but fantastic starting pitching has been able to keep guys fresh.
NC State’s top starters, senior left hander Brian Brown and graduate right hander Johnny Piedmonte, are a combined 4-0 on the season. Each have pitched 13 innings and only walked two each. Brown has a staggering 0.69 ERA and will likely get the start on Friday.
Head coach Elliott Avent preaches about keeping the walks to a minimum and making the opposing team earn its way on to the bases. NC State has allowed only 2.8 walks per game, which undoubtedly adds to its success.
Expectations
NC State’s first two games of the weekend are against struggling teams and with how hot the Pack’s bats are, you’d expect it to come through in those games.
The Pack’s toughest matchup seems to be on Sunday against Canisius. It split a two-game series with Ohio State and swept Western Carolina last weekend. However, it will be Canisius’ fourth game of the weekend, so the Golden Griffins’ depth will be tested.
After this weekend, NC State has two games next week before its first ACC series against Boston College.
