The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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JANUARY 2019 ■ 71 spring. The Pack also hopes for a return to good health by fifth-year senior Austin Staley, who was one of Avent's most reli- able relievers in 2016 and 2017, and red- shirt sophomore Dalton Feeney, who went 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA in 14 games (three starts) as a rookie in 2017. Avent also welcomed five junior college transfers, highlighted by Alec Barger, a 16th-round draft choice of the Milwaukee Brewers in June that elected to come to NC State instead. "I'd love to have a starting pitcher like some of the great guys we had in the past like Mike Rogers, Andrew Brackman, Car- los Rodon, Jake Buchanan, Brian Brown, but it's about playing nine innings," Avent noted. "The strength of our staff over the years has been a good bullpen, and we hope to have a good bullpen this year." The lineup is bolstered by the return of three of its best hitters. Sophomore catcher Patrick Bailey had a banner rookie season, hitting .321 with 13 homers and 40 runs batted in (RBI). The ACC Freshman of the Year and consensus Freshman All-Ameri- can set a new school record for homers by a rookie. Junior shortstop Will Wilson hit .307 with 15 home runs and 53 RBI, which was second on the squad, a season ago. Senior first baseman Evan Edwards tied Wilson for second on the team with his 15 homers and hit .297 while driving home 48 runs. Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment Company, Inc. 8209 Brownleigh Drive 2119 Jody Road Raleigh, NC 27617 Florence, SC 29501 Ph: 919 787 8214 Ph: 843 669 3136 Ph: 800 334 9245 Ph: 800 868 8988 Fax: 800 400 2596 Fax: 843 661 5236 Web: www.gardnermarsh.com GREGORY D. MILLER, CPA SANDRA A. MILLER, CPA REBECCA A. RHODES, CPA Serving the accounting needs of small businesses and individuals throughout Southeastern North Carolina since 1993. • Tax Planning and Prepara on • Accoun ng and Audi ng Services • Small Business Consul ng Wilmington, NC 265 Racine Drive 910-452-5260 Burgaw, NC 105 East Fremont Street 910-259-4644 www.millercocpas.com We're Pack Proud! Three Players To Watch Sophomore catcher Patrick Bailey Bailey's a switch-hitting slugger that set a school record for homers by a freshman (13), and behind the plate he was able to throw out 11 of 36 would- be base stealers. Sophomore pitcher Reid Johnston Johnson's emergence on the staff was a signifi- cant boost to the Pack last season. He began the year as one of the top bullpen performers and had four saves before transitioning into a starting role and becoming the most reliable starter outside ACC Pitcher of the Year Brian Brown. Junior shortstop Will Wilson Wilson was a semifinalist for the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy last season and was named a sec - ond-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. This came a year after he was tabbed as a Freshman All-American by the same publication. ■ By The Numbers 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in last 14 sea- sons for NC State. 16 Newcomers on this year's team, including one major college transfer, two international im- ports, six junior college transfers and seven prep signees. 43 Combined home runs hit last year by return- ing sluggers sophomore catcher Patrick Bailey, first baseman Evan Edwards and shortstop Will Wilson, almost half the team's total of 87.