The N.C. State softball team entered the 2013 season with a new coach and low expectations. When the dust settled in June, the Wolfpack had 35 wins and an ACC Championship. Junior pitcher Emily Weiman was a key contributor to State’s success last season, and figures to play a big role in the Pack’s fortunes in 2014.
Throughout the 2013 season, State regularly relied on Weiman as the anchor for then-first-year head coach Shawn Rychcik’s pitching rotation. The Pasadena, Md. native gave the Pack an ace to rely on in the ACC Championship game and State’s Super Regional game against Tennessee.
Weiman finished her sophomore campaign with a final record of 33-18, and earned recognition from the ACC and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as the 2013 ACC Pitcher of the Year, a first-team All-ACC selection, ACC Tournament MVP and a five-time ACC pitcher of the week award recipient. Weiman led the conference in wins (33), innings pitched (323.1), appearances (54) and games started (52), all new school records. She also finished second on the team in strikeouts with 271.
With Weiman on the mound, the Wolfpack’s fielders said they have faith that the Pack’s ace will always hit her spots to keep the opposition’s batters at bay.
“When you are confident in your pitcher, when you know she is going to hit her spots,” junior shortstop Renada Davis said. “When you know she is going to do what she needs to do, it makes our jobs a million times easier. It allows us to focus on what we’re doing.”
That faith is reciprocated by Weiman, who said she can concentrate more when she knows her fielders will make plays when called upon.
“It makes my job a heck of a lot easier when I can throw and not have to worry about my defense behind me,” Weiman said. “They take care of me. They pick me up when I make a mistake and I pick them up when they make a mistake. We really have a lot of trust in each other.”
Not only is Weiman a superstar on the field, but she also shines in the classroom. Weiman, a sport management major, is a two-time Academic All-ACC selection, adding to her already extensive wealth of accolades. Weiman said her dream is to work for the Baltimore Ravens, a National Football League franchise.
Ranked No. 2 in the ACC in the preseason, the Wolfpack have big expectations for 2014. Now a junior, Weiman said she wants to build off last season’s success and lead State to another ACC Championship.
“All the preseason honors are great, but those aren’t our expectations,” Weiman said. “We want to go out there and get better every day. If we keep getting better and winning the games that we should win, we are going to be just fine.”
The Wolfpack has a difficult start to the season, facing three top-25 teams in its first six games. However, Rychcik said he thinks these experiences will help the team make a smooth transition into the ACC schedule.
“I know what [Emily] can do,” Rychcik said. “I know I can work her too. If I have to go to her in double headers or multiple games in a series, I know she’s capable of it. It’s hard to put anyone else on the mound when you know what Emily can do.”
With State nursing a 1-5 overall record after an opening weekend trip to Arizona, Wolfpack softball fans must hope he is right.
