NC State Joe Scurto reporter Spectacular Magazine
Sports

Wolfpack Fall to Vanderbilt as Season Ends Abruptly

Lawrence Davis III @LawDavis13 @SpecMagSports

OMAHA, NEB. – Needing just one victory to reach the championship series, NC State Wolfpack (37-19) fell short to fourth-seeded Vanderbilt 3-1 in the national semifinal of the 2021 College World Series on Friday evening. The NCAA Division I Baseball committee then suddenly declared Saturday’s bracket final a no contest due to COVID-19 protocols, putting the Commodores into the CWS championship round. But, unfortunately, the Pack’s miracle run ended from something they had no control over.

13 NC State players (including four pitchers) were put into COVID-19 protocol and could not play in Friday’s contest, and major changes were made to the Pack lineup. As a result, players were put in positions that they do not play and were missing some very impactful players.

The Pack defeated the Commodores 1-0 on Monday night to remain perfect in College World Series action in the last time out. It marked the first time in team history that NC State had started the College World Series with a 2-0 record.

NC State defeated both the No. 1 national seed (Arkansas) and the defending national champion (Vanderbilt) in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack was the first team to accomplish both feats in a single postseason since seeding began in 1999.

Freshman Pitcher Sam Highfill had himself a surprising day at the plate on Friday evening, going 3-for-4. He had to operate first base, and the freshman showed that he could pitch and swing the stick.

Vanderbilt scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning (2-0) and NC State took the spotlight away from one of the best arms in college baseball, Vanderbilt RHP Kumar Rocker. The Pack offense showed that they could hang with Rocker and battle up at the plate. In the bottom of the fifth, freshman Carson Falsken found his way to first with a pretty bunt down the third baseline.

Highfill then singled through the left side, advancing Falsken to second. Falsken advanced to third on a groundout. Freshman Deangelo Giles later stepped up and hit a long high fly out to left field, scoring Falsken for the Wolfpack’s only run of the game (2-1). The Commodores put another run on the board in the sixth to give them the 3-1 lead.

Freshman pitcher Garrett Payne got the start in the College World Series, making this his first start of the year. The freshman had a pretty good outing in his career-high five innings pitched, allowing three runs (two unearned) on two hits, walking three, two hit by pitches, and struck out three. Redshirt Junior Dalton Feeney came in as a relief in the sixth and held the Vandy offense to four hits, no runs scored, with three walks, and striking out three.

Vanderbilt (48-16) forced another game today. The winner of today’s game would go on to the College World Series Final, but tragically, the Wolfpack found out their season was over.