Over the course of the summer, several members of the NC State baseball team took part in collegiate summer leagues across the country, preparing for the 2018 campaign. With the summer season wrapped up, it’s time to take a look at how the members of the Wolfpack fared over the past few months.
Senior first baseman/outfielder Shane Shepard
After struggling for much of the 2017 campaign, Shepard returned to form with the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League. The slugger hit .243 while mashing a team-high nine home runs and 27 RBIs. Shepard got on base at a .451 clip with a slugging percentage of .553, both of which led the team.
With Joe Dunand and Evan Mendoza leaving after signing professional contracts, the infield will have a different look come spring, with only senior infielder Stephen Pitarra and sophomore infielder Will Wilson returning. Look for Shepard to fight for a spot at first base or designated hitter in the 2018 season.
Junior outfielder Brett Kinneman
A stalwart in the Wolfpack lineup for the past two seasons, Kinneman struggled over the summer. Playing for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League, the outfielder floundered to a .207 batting average and .645 OPS over 121 at bats. The former freshman All-American did lead the team in walks, keeping up the proficient batting eye displayed over the past two campaigns.
Despite a less-than-stellar showing over the summer, Kinneman figures to be a regular in the outfield once again for the Wolfpack.
Junior pitcher Christian Demby
A teammate of Kinneman this summer for the Kettleers, Demby tossed 15.2 innings to the tune of a 3.44 ERA this summer, a strong showing from the righthander. The Miramar, Florida, native appeared almost exclusively out of the bullpen for the Kettleers, making 13 appearances, one of which was a start.
Demby also recorded 14 strikeouts and just two walks, an encouraging sign as he will seemingly compete for a more prominent role out of the bullpen this year after recording a 7.16 ERA in just six appearances last season for the Wolfpack.
Sophomore catcher Brad Debo
Last season, Debo was a force to be reckoned with in the Wolfpack lineup. Taking most of his reps as designated hitter, the freshman from Durham more than impressed with a .335/.387/.493 slash line. Debo will look to build off of his splendid season after gaining some playing time during summer ball.
Suiting up for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League, the lefty slugger recorded a batting average of .233 and an OPS of just .625. Debo batted in 13 runs and connected for seven extra base hits over 120 at bats.
Sophomore pitcher Dalton Feeney
In just six appearances and four starts for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League, Feeney recorded an impressive 2.18 ERA over 24.2 innings. The Bismark, North Dakota, native whiffed 23 batters while walking 12.
After last season at Doak Field, where he recorded a 2.53 ERA in 14 appearances, Feeney figures to be an important part of the Wolfpack pitching staff, possibly competing for an opportunity as a regular weekend starter.
