The NC State Wolfpack’s baseball season has come to a startling end after a pitch clock violation on the field confirmed their elimination against the Auburn Tigers. On Saturday at Plainsman Park, both teams got 30 combined runs, and since 1999, this is the 10th time in NCAA history that the game went to a 0-1 elimination slot.
While Auburn suffered a heartbreaking 13-8 upset to Milwaukee earlier, NC State was crushed by UCF 9-3 in a two-day battle. At the elimination showdown, the No. 4-seeded Tigers came out strong and dished five home runs, scoring eight runs in the first innings. The Wolfpack, however, led by Dalton Bargo and Luke Nixon, managed to cut into a 10-0 deficit for NC State.
NC State’s freshman Vincent DeCarlo also secured his first home run while having great control over the mid innings, eventually bringing the score to 17-13. While attempting one final rally with two outs on the board, it seemed to the umpire that the NC State’s batter went beyond the allotted time to set himself and thereby violated the pitch clock, ultimately ending the contest with an automatic strike.
As NC State’s season ended with such an anticlimactic finish, fans have now backed the Pack by calling out the umpire and the decision itself.
One user wrote:
“That can’t happen on any front. Absolutely ridiculous.”
Someone wrote:
“The umps need to be fired on the spot.What a disgrace @NCAABaseballTHIS IS NOT BASEBALL.”
Another user wrote:
“That’s stupid. The pitcher was not even set.”
One person also wrote:
“I don’t think NC State would have won but the game should not have ended this way. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th and the batter’s team is behind, the clock should be suspended. Ump must have been late for dinner.”
Another commented:
“Zero accountability for an ump calling this.”
The Auburns will next play against the UCF Knights on Sunday at Plainsman Park at 2 p.m. CT.
NC State’s Baseball Coach Steps Down
It’s the end of an era for NC State and for the baseball community as a whole, as Elliott Avent has formally retired as a coach after giving 30 years of his life to the game. Avent has worked in college baseball since 1981 and joined NC State as the coach of its baseball back in 1997 and is considered one of the most successful coaches of all time, leading the Wolfpack to a whopping 1,101 wins at NC State and 1,326 wins in his total coaching career.
Announcing his retirement, Avent said:
Not many people get the chance to do what they love at a place that means so much to them. I’ve been lucky enough to have that opportunity and I’ve loved every minute of it. I want to thank all the coaches and staff who committed so much to make this journey so rewarding and successful.”
NC State has, however, swiftly bought in a replacement from its own backyard. Chris Hart is all set to step into Avent’s shoes as NC State’s next head coach after having signed a five-year contract that is scheduled to run through the 2031 season.
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