After dropping three games last weekend against Georgia Tech, N.C. State will look to rebound tonight as it takes on UNC-Wilmington at Doak Field. The Wolfpack (27-14) has lost six of its last 10 games overall and dropped out of the national rankings after last weekend’s sweep.
The Pack hit a paltry .167 and scored only seven runs in the Georgia Tech series. Coach Elliott Avent said despite the team’s recent struggles, he remains confident in the offense.
“We had a miserable weekend down in Atlanta,” Avent said. “Any kind of failure like that can get to you. The more you talk about it, the more it becomes a problem, but we know we are capable of hitting.”
As far as getting back on track for today’s game, Avent said the team just needs to concentrate on improving.
“We just need to focus on the things we need to do,” Avent said. “We need to go back to who we are and feel good about ourselves. We know we’ve done a great job with men in scoring position, and a couple guys today left the ballpark feeling real good about their swing.”
Last weekend was the first time the Wolfpack had been swept this year. Associate head coach Tom Holliday said the team needs to push the Georgia Tech series out of its mind heading into Wednesday’s game.
“I know right now all the attention will go to what happened last weekend, but that’s over,” Holliday said. “That had to be over and buried Sunday night. I’m looking to see what kind of makeup we have tomorrow night.”
Holliday also talked about the challenge the team is facing by losing three straight games and about the mental makeup of the players.
“We are getting a good test right now,” Holliday said. “You lose three in a row, and a lot of people quit on you. It’s a good challenge and a good time to play. I hope our players wake up tomorrow morning and realize it’s a chance to start a winning streak.”
UNC-W comes into today’s game with a 19-23 record and will be playing in Raleigh for the second time this season. The Pack beat the Seahawks 5-2 in the first meeting at Doak Field on February 27. Holliday said despite UNC-Wilmington’s sub-.500 record, State still has to take the Seahawks seriously.
“I’m hoping they don’t have the same pitching that Georgia Tech does. I’ll almost bet on that,” Holliday said. “At the same time, we don’t take anybody for granted; we haven’t all year. We expect every time we go out for it to take the best effort we have.”
Avent said the team needs to keep its confidence and remember what it has done this season.
“Baseball is a very defeating game; it can beat you up,” Avent said. “The main thing we want to do right now is make sure it doesn’t beat us up and that we go out tomorrow night and do the things we need to do. A win builds our confidence back up in such a hurry. We just need to get a ‘W’ and go back to understanding we are N.C. State, and we are a pretty good baseball team.”