College Preview Capsules: No. 19 N.C. State

No. 19 North Carolina State

2015 Record (Ranking): 36-23 (NR). RPI: 22.

Coach (Record at school): Elliott Avent (717-444, 19 years).

Postseason History: 27 regionals (active streak: 1), 2 CWS trips (last in 2013), 0 national titles.

As most coaches are wont to do, Elliott Avent is quick to tap the brakes on preseason expectations. Tough schedule ahead, guys still have to get their swings back, etc.

“There’s a lot of places where this team looks like it has so much potential,” Avent said. “But it’s just that. We’ve got to put it together. It’ll take a while, but it’s an experienced group in a lot of ways.”

2016 Lineup
Pos.	Name, Year	AVG	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI	SB
C	Andrew Knizner, Jr.	.317	.360	.426	5	42	0
1B	Preston Palmeiro, Jr.	.305	.381	.456	7	49	2
2B	Ryne Willard, Sr.	.287	.363	.411	4	20	3
3B	Xavier LeGrant, Fr.	HS—Charlotte, N.C.
SS	Joe Dunand, So.	.219	.289	.381	7	40	1
LF	Brock Deatherage, So.	.291	.383	.383	1	11	7
CF	Josh McLain, So.	.186	.234	.209	0	3	1
RF	Shane Shepard, So.	.160	.323	.240	1	1	0
DH	Chance Shepard, Sr.	.214	.342	.449	6	23	1
Pos.	Name, Year	W	L	ERA	IP	SO	SV
LHP	Brian Brown, So.	7	3	2.03	80	78	0
RHP	Johnny Piedmonte, R-Jr.	1	2	3.26	50	40	0
RHP	Cory Wilder, Jr.	2	5	3.50	64	79	0
RP	Tommy DeJuneas, So.	3	3	1.82	40	57	6

Start on the mound, where the Wolfpack returns 79 percent of the innings from a pitching staff that posted the 15th best ERA in the nation a year ago (2.95). There aren’t any Carlos Rodons walking through that door, but the Wolfpack has another lefthanded ace in Brian Brown, coming off a Freshman All-American campaign in 2015. No one will confuse Brown for Rodon, as he pitches in the mid- to upper 80s, but he thrives on his smarts and has shown an improved slider going into his sophomore campaign.

Veterans Johnny Piedmonte and Cory Wilder, a potential high draft pick if he can harness his power stuff consistently, fill out the rest of the rotation. Hard-throwing sophomore Tommy DeJuneas, fresh off a summer stint with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, returns to the back of the bullpen, along with other battle tested arms like junior righthander Joe O’Donnell and senior lefties Will Gilbert and Travis Orwig.

“We may not have the household names that come to people’s minds,” Avent said, “but as far as numbers and guys that will compete and go out and throw strikes and get their job done, I feel as good about this (pitching) staff as any in recent memory.”

Offensively, the ‘Pack has to replace heart-and-soul seniors Jake Fincher and Logan Ratledge—the team’s leader in homers and average in 2015. No easy task, but the lineup still has its share of weapons. Preston Palmeiro’s sweet lefthanded swing brings back memories of his father’s, former all-star Rafael, and he and fellow junior Andrew Knizner figure to be the new anchors of the lineup.

The Wolfpack is also hoping for big things for another player with famous lineage, Joe Dunand, the nephew of Alex Rodriguez. Dunand packs plenty of power of his own—he hit a walkoff homer against eventual national champ Virginia last year—and reverses his uncle’s career path as a sophomore, shifting from third base to shortstop. Brothers Chance and Shane Shepard and senior Ryne Willard all have the muscle to hit balls out themselves. If speedsters Brock Deatherage and Josh McLain can keep progressing in the outfield now that they should have full-time roles of their own, the Wolfpack should have an offense capable of scoring in a variety of ways.

“Everybody in our lineup has a chance to show some power,” Avent said. “But it’s about scoring runs. Power is important, and it’s always that threat. But it’s more about when you show your power. It’s about getting the big hits, the two-out hits . . . But this team does have some power, there’s no doubt it.”

It also has expectations—with the ability to live up to them.