The baseball team will have to wait an extra day before taking the field to begin the 2008 season at Doak Field.
Predicted inclement weather has postponed the season-opener, originally scheduled for today, until Saturday when N.C. State hosts Appalachian State. Friday’s game will be played either Saturday or Sunday as part of a doubleheader, but coach Elliott Avent said his club is ready.
“We’re anxious to get out there,” Avent said of the Wolfpack, picked to finish third in its division in the ACC preseason coaches’ poll.
The players don’t seem to mind not being chosen to win the conference, bypassing the preseason picks for loftier goals.
“[Our team goal is a] national championship, nothing less,” sophomore infielder Dallas Poulk said. “We’re not settling for a regional. We’re not settling for a super-regional; we’re going all the way.”
The optimistic forecast despite the dismal Raleigh weather is due mostly to State’s pitching staff, led by returners Eryk McConnell and Eric Surkamp. McConnell, a redshirt senior, was offered a contract by the Baltimore Orioles in the offseason, but turned it down to return for his final year of eligibility.
His goal in returning is simple, he said.
“The only thing that matters is getting to Omaha and winning [the College World Series],” McConnell said. “That’s what we want every year. Anything less and we’re disappointed.”
The former closer, who recorded 11 saves last season, will return to the starting rotation along with second-team All-ACC performer Surkamp. Surkamp, a junior, said McConnell’s return was a big boost to the team’s championship expectations this year.
“A big help is getting Eryk McConnell back,” Surkamp said. “[Him] going from a closer to a starter is really going to help our starting rotation.”
The two, who have combined for 232 strikeouts the past two seasons, will be sharing innings with several new arms, including Gastonia, N.C., native Jake Buchanan.
“Buchanan really stepped up in the preseason and pitched well, so we look for him to fill in right away,” Surkamp said of the freshman. “We have a lot of talent, and it’s gonna be hard for a lot of guys to get innings because we have so many good pitchers.”
Avent said it will take more than good pitching to win games and that his team is solid all-around, not just on the mound.
“Good pitching is gonna keep you in games, and if you stay in games, hopefully you can make good plays at the right time and win,” Avent said. “We’re pleased with how things stack up heading into the season.”
Away from the mound, however, positions aren’t set in stone as freshman, returners and transfers are all competing for starting positions. Avent said the competition was a welcome sign, though he felt that talent alone wouldn’t be enough to succeed.
“It’s about making plays, how [they’re] going to play together, how [they’re] gonna compete, what their ambitions are, how [much] they’re willing to sacrifice, [what] they’re willing to do during the season and the [way they work through] adversity,” he said. “If we can mesh into a team that plays together, makes plays behind our pitching staff and learns to produce runs, then we should have a great season.”
Poulk, who batted .394 last season and earned Freshman All-American honors, said the team’s combined goals and shared leadership will help the team surpass last year’s results.
“We’re all leaders on this team,” Poulk said. “The team wants it a little more this season.”
McConnell echoed that optimism.
“We’re gonna be good,” McConnell said. “We’ve got a good shot at going to Omaha and a very good shot at winning the ACC [tournament] this year too. We’re definitely gonna turn some heads before we’re through.”
Twelfth-year coach Avent shared his players’ enthusiasm and confidence.
“This is a team that has a chance to win a national championship,” he said.
