In the recurring theme of the season, No. 12 NC State baseball found itself struggling to generate offense in a 10-3 beatdown at the hands of Coastal Carolina in its last game of the Jax College Baseball Classic Sunday evening.
The Wolfpack (3-4) finished the tournament in last place after failing to win a single game. The Pack will have plenty of work ahead if it wants to live up to its lofty preseason expectations, starting at the plate. However, there are also clear issues in the field and on the mound. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina (6-2) won its second straight game, finishing up a successful weekend.
“That’s how you play when you’re doubting yourself,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “I think most players doubt themselves because offensively they’re not doing well and they take it over to the defense”
Initially, the Wolfpack bats looked ready to roll against the Chanticleers. An error on the throw to first allowed senior shortstop Justin DeCriscio to reach second on his first at-bat. Sophomore second baseman Luke Nixon then nailed a double to drive DeCriscio home, giving NC State a fast 1-0 lead. However, that was the only lead the Wolfpack would have and it vanished quickly.
“We gave them their run,” said Coastal Carolina head coach Kevin Schnall. “Especially a team that was shut out yesterday, to give them a run in the first and a little bit of momentum is not what we wanted to do — but then we responded in a big way.”
The Chanticleers certainly did respond, not allowing a run or even a single hit until the sixth inning. The Wolfpack’s first inning proved to be a mirage as Coastal Carolina jumped ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the first and never looked back. With mistakes mounting everywhere, the Wolfpack seemed to panic, lacking confidence at the plate and suffering as a result.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ryan Marohn did his best to keep hope alive for NC State. Marohn did a better job at pounding the zone than NC State’s previous weekend starters, only giving away just two walks while striking out six batters. Ultimately, Marohn pitched well enough to win, but fielding mistakes and a struggling bullpen allowed the Chanticleers to rack up runs.
One of the big surprises early this season has been sophomore right-handed pitcher Jacob Dudan’s shaky start. After a remarkable freshman season, Dudan has struggled early and once again could not get going against the Chanticleers. The Huntersville, North Carolina native walked a pair of batters and surrendered a double after facing five total batters. Needless to say, Dudan has to be better for NC State to reach its potential. The good news for the Wolfpack is that the righty is a proven player — all he has to do is regain his confidence and return to form.
“He’s doubting himself right now,” Avent said. “His stuff’s incredible, but he’s looking for success because he had that one thing against Liberty. … This is a game that if you doubt yourself, it’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
With its weekend in Jacksonville officially complete, NC State must go back to the drawing board. All three areas of the game — hitting, pitching and fielding — have to be better if NC State wants to replicate its recent success. Fortunately for the Wolfpack, the team competed in a quality event so that it can learn from its mistakes now, rather than in conference play.
“I don’t think they should forget this at all,” Avent said. “Matter of fact, if we had the ability on this seven-and-a-half-hour bus ride we’re getting ready to take … they should watch all three games and not forget it — they should watch it and see how bad of baseball this was.”
Next up, NC State will host the Richmond Spiders in a midweek match. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Doak Field.
