Nick Pironio
The frigid air that has recently plagued Raleigh will finally subside this week as N.C. State hopes to do its part in warming up the air with its hot bats and even hotter record as the Wolfpack (12-1, 0-0 ACC) try to maintain their home undefeated streak.
The Pack will play host to High Point on Tuesday following a road trip that produced three wins over the weekend. The games spanned the spectrum of victory margin as State won by as many as eight runs against West Virginia and as few as one against Penn State and UNC-Wilmington.
“I thought we played great this weekend,” coach Elliott Avent said. “We won a couple one run games, which is really hard to do on the road.”
With the Pack having won six in a row, they return to Doak Field where they have seldom been challenged all season. At home, they are averaging 16.3 runs per game, while only giving up an average of 2.7.
On the mound for the Pack will be Eric Surkamp, a freshman from Cincinnati, who will make the first start of his career donning the red and white. Surkamp attended Moeller High School where he was a fellow state champion and teammate of current State two-sport star Andrew Brackman.
Surkamp will look to add to the fine performances the Pack have received from their starters so far this season against a squad that State is fairly familiar with after having competed against High Point many times in Avent’s tenure.
“We’ve played High Point quite a few times over the years,” Avent said. “They’re a good program and it’s always nice to play them.”
Although High Point (6-8, 0-0 Big South) has struggled early this year, its resume already includes wins over Conference USA opponent Cincinnati and ACC foe Duke.
Coupled with High Point’s upset capability, the Pack will also have to contend with the sluggishness that has accompanied some mid-week games in the past, according to junior shortstop Jonathan Diaz. In addition, the Pack will be returning from one of their first days off this year.
“We came out a little flat against A&T last Tuesday,” Diaz said. “It’s usually tough to play after an off day.”
Although some feel the off day can be a hindrance, others said they believe the break is much needed and allows for some natural healing that wouldn’t be able to take place otherwise.
“There are negatives and positives,” junior catcher Jon Still said. “You’d like to get a chance to get some practice in, but you really get a chance to rest your body a little bit.”
Regardless of whether the off day is beneficial, State will still have to come ready to play if they hope to continue their winning ways, Diaz said.
“Coach just told us to really be ready and come out with a lot of energy and intensity,” Diaz said.