The N.C. State baseball team made a splash when it announced that junior pitchers Patrick and Eric Peterson would be transferring from Temple. Patrick has earned the mid-week starters job, while Eric has become the Wolfpack’s specialist out of the bullpen.  In 13 appearances on the mound this season, the twin brothers have earned a combined 2-1 record with a 3.78 ERA, giving head coach Elliott Avent two reliable options on staff. The Technician staff sat down with the Petersons to learn more about them and their adjustment to N.C. State.

Technician: Why did you decide to transfer to N.C. State?

Eric Peterson: “Coming from Temple, I just wanted to come somewhere where I had an opportunity to contribute to the team and help them win. I wanted to help a team make the postseason and reach their goals. At Temple we struggled the first two years, so I wanted a new challenge.”

Technician: Were you a package deal?

Eric Peterson: “No, we weren’t a package deal. We were both given the opportunity to come here and decided to jump on that opportunity.”

Technician: What’s it like playing on the same college baseball team with your brother?

Eric Peterson: “It’s really beneficial. We both know each other as pitchers really well, and we’ve learned to take criticism from each other in a positive way. We know each other better than anyone, as players and people.”

Patrick Peterson: “It definitely makes the game more fun having him on the same team. When you’ve played with someone for so long, you know what they are doing on the field.”

Technician: Did you play any other sports growing up?

Patrick Peterson: “We played basketball for a little bit, but baseball has been our main sport for most of our lives.”

Technician: What was it like growing up and playing baseball together?

Eric Peterson: “We’ve been playing since we were six or seven, and I’ve really enjoyed playing together. We’re both really big baseball fans, so we enjoy playing the game every day.”

Technician: What are the differences playing at N.C. State compared to Temple?

Eric Peterson: “I think the main difference is [associate head] Coach [Tom] Holliday. Coach Holliday is an amazing coach. You can trust anything that he has to say because he just has so much experience. There is not a ton of differences besides Coach. For me it’s just going out there and doing what I can do to help the team.”

Technician: How different is N.C. State academically than Temple?

Patrick Peterson: “My major is sport management. We had to switch majors when we came to N.C. State. The two schools are very similar academically, and both N.C. State and Temple were good fits academically for us.”

Technician: There were a lot of expectations that this team would go to Omaha, and you are currently in the midst of a six-game losing streak. What is the mood around the team?

Patrick Peterson: “Right now a lot of guys are frustrated, but we know that at some point that we’ll start winning games. Baseball can be up and down. There are a lot of games in the season, and I think that people understand that we’ll find ways to get back to winning. Right now everyone is frustrated, but we’ll be alright.”