NC State HC Elliott Avent: 'We are playing our best baseball of the season'

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell05/29/23

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Sam Highfill knew Monday’s NCAA selection show was going to be a stressful viewing experience. After how the past couple of seasons have ended, the junior NC State pitcher was not ready to relieve that disappointment. 

He did not need to. The Wolfpack made the tournament comfortably, even avoiding the ‘last four in’ line and setting its eyes on a Friday afternoon showdown with Campbell in Columbia, South Carolina. 

NC State is the No. 3 seed in a regional with South Carolina, Central Connecticut State and the Fighting Camels. The Pack had to wait a ways into the show before hearing its name called.

 “It was pretty suspenseful, especially after last year,” Highfill said. “I didn’t want to experience that heartbreak again. I was worried that we might have to but, fortunately, I think the committee made the right decision, and I think this team deserves to play in the postseason.”

Head coach Elliot Avent reflected on the past couple of years with his squad, mentioning the difficult conversations he had to have with his players when their seasons abruptly and unexpectedly came to a halt in consecutive years. In the four days leading up to the game, Avent said he watched parts of 75 games. 

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Joyful chaos filled the room when the team found out it was in the tournament— so much so that the head coach missed NC State’s opponent. 

“When I saw our name go up, I think I gave it the old Tiger Woods [fist pump]…” Avent said. 

“I didn’t find out who we were playing until like 20 minutes later.”

Both Highfill and Avent were effusive in his praise of the Fighting Camels, who lead the NCAA in runs per game.

“They’ve got a really good team,” Avent said. “A lot of older guys who play with a lot of confidence, good pitching, good hitting, they do it all the way around. What a great job they’ve done there throughout the last few years, not just this year.”

“I just know they’re always good,” Highfill said. “This year is no different, so I’m expecting a really good ballgame Friday afternoon.”

After learning the Pack will take on Campbell, the Wolfpack head coach took the team out to eat at Amedeo’s. The team’s 2023 campaign is not done yet, but this was cause for celebration. 

“Excited to be in, excited for myself,” Avent said. “I told the players, it never gets old to go. I don’t care how many times you’ve been, I don’t care how old you are, going is what this is all about.”

Highfill pointed out that NC State heads into the tournament winning four of its past five games and playing well. Usually, Avent said he hopes his teams play into form around March, but this iteration of the Wolfpack began to do so in May. 

The head coach believes NC State is starting to heat up when it matters most. 

“We are playing our best baseball of the season,” Avent said. 

Avent shared that one of Logan Whitaker, Matt Willadsen or Highfill will start for the Pack Friday, but he does not know who yet. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.. 

“You play to dance in the postseason, and I’m excited for our players and excited for our program,” Avent said. 

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