Although the school year may be coming to a close, a number of NC State sports will continue into the summer months with the final matches, games and meets of the season.
The NC State track, golf, softball, tennis and baseball teams will participate in different regional and national championships leading all the way up into June. Here are some of the top games to look out for if you’re still around the bustling city of Raleigh.
Softball
Maintaining a respectable 26-19 (10-8 ACC) record so far this season, the NC State softball team hopes to grab a few more wins to boost its resume before the ACC Championships held May 7th.
In the coming weeks, the team has matchups against Radford, Virginia Tech and Appalachian State in the coming weeks. Leading the team to the ACC Championships are senior shortstop Renada Davis and sophomore outfielder Tyler Ross, who have seen tremendous production in 2015. Davis has scored a total of 35 runs so far this season and is the top hitter, having recorded 50 hits. Ross follows Davis with 31 runs scored and 43 hits this season, production that State will need if it wishes to match last season’s success, in which the team made it to the regional final before losing to No. 7 Georgia. This season, State strives to qualify for regionals, which begins May 15. Until then, the team is finishing off its current season admirably.
Baseball
The NC State baseball team, after having an average spring season, will be playing just four games before ending the season in the middle of May. The team is scheduled to play Virginia, Longwood, Campbell and Wake Forest in the upcoming weekends, and then ends the season with a home game against Louisville on May 16. So far this season, the Pack has garnered a record of 21-16 (9-11 ACC). Leading the team this season are senior second baseman Logan Ratledge and sophomore first baseman Preston Palmeiro, who have been large contributors to the team’s success. This season, Ratledge and Palmeiro combined for 54 hits, with Ratledge contributing 36 runs. The team will need this to continue to succeed in the last few games of the season.
Track & Field
The NC State track and field team has been very successful so far this season, breaking multiple school records and having multiple members qualify for the ACC Championships. The championships, to be held May 14-16 in Tallahassee, Florida, will be one of the final meets for the team and will determine if the qualifiers proceed to the NCAA regionals May 28. Qualifying team members include redshirt sophomore Samantha George, who specializes in distance. This past weekend, George broke the school record in the 1500m dash at the Virginia Challenge with a time of 4:16.46, breaking a school record for the second time in the calendar year. Joining George at the ACC Championships on the men’s side will be redshirt freshman Jacob Thomson, who took home first place at the Virginia Challenge in the 5000m run, earning him an overall ranking of second in the ACC. With just three meets left until the championships, including the infamous Penn Relays, which will be held this upcoming weekend in Philadelphia and the Duke Twilight meet held in Durham, NC on May 6-7, the Pack will strive to keep up with the success it has had so far and add to the long list of team members who can qualify for the ACC Championships.
Men’s Tennis
The No. 36 ranked NC State men’s tennis team will look to make waves next weekend at the ACC Championships in Cary after a tough loss to Notre Dame last Saturday, breaking its four match winning streak. The regular season was more successful for the team, which concluded with a 17-10 (5-7 ACC) record. Seniors Austin Powell, Robbie Mudge and Beck Bond have performed strongly for the Pack this season, and will lead the group into ACCs.
Women’s Tennis
The NC State’s women’s tennis team has struggled this season, recording an abysmal 10-15 (1-13 ACC) record on the season. With 2015 something of a building season, the Pack hopes to claim a few wins at the ACC Championships April 22-26 in Cary.
Men’s Golf
After winning the Wolfpack Spring Opening, the NC State men’s golf team will be heading to the ACC Golf Championships in New London, North Carolina on April 24. Junior David Cooke took home first place at the Open, followed by redshirt senior James Chapman taking second place. The Pack has had a successful season overall, having members placing in the top ranges of each match.
Women’s Golf
The NC State women’s golf team has already participated in its division ACC Championship this past weekend. The team tied for 8th place over the course of the weekend, with freshman Cecily Overbey having a top 20 showing, helping the team achieve its placement. The team will spend the next couple of weeks preparing for the NCAA regional tournament that will occur May 7-9.
Lana Van Dyken, junior and third baseman for the N.C. State softball team performs a hit against opponent Florida State at the softball game that took place on Friday, 3rd April in the Dail baseball field. Wolfpack lost game one 6-5 to Florida State.
