The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1059287
JANUARY 2019 ■ 75 Sometimes, adding just the right person to a team makes all the difference. Contact Andy Carmen (NCSU '79) at 336.714.4111 or acarmen@belldavispitt.com CONSTRUCTION LAW | REAL ESTATE | CORPORATE | LITIGATION | FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | EDUCATION | TAX | FAMILY LAW | ESTATE PLANNING/ADMINISTRATION WINSTON SALEM | CHARLOTTE | BELLDAVISPITT.COM BDP.12102.04 AndyCarmenAD_R5.indd 1 9/24/13 12:24 PM Cardinal International Trucks 1526 South Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 (919) 832-5871 www.cardinalinternationaltrucks.com Three Players To Watch Junior pitcher Devin Wallace The Raleigh native won six games and had a 3.57 earned run average at Coastal Carolina in 2017, and then transferred to NC State. She started a team- high 31 games and pitched in 40 last year, going 11-17 with a 3.34 ERA. She held opponents to a .249 batting average. Sophomore second baseman Chandley Garner The Lawsonville, N.C., native started 52 of 54 games last year, with 46 coming at second base. She led the squad with 11 home runs, 31 RBI and a .560 slugging percentage. Additionally, she was third with a .381 on-base percentage and fourth with a .276 batting average. Sophomore third baseman Logan Morris The South Carolina Upstate transfer led her for - mer team with a .364 batting average and paced the Atlantic Sun Conference with 47 runs batted in, plus hit eight home runs and had a .449 on- base percentage. She is expected to play multiple positions. Noting The Pack • Maryland transfer Brigette Nordberg, a junior, seemingly could play every position but pitcher this season for NC State. The Exton, Pa., native can take the field at third base, catcher, left field, right field and even first base. Nordberg led Maryland with 14 doubles and was second on the team with a .272 batting average, .402 slugging percentage, 20 runs scored, 46 hits and 68 total bases last year. She added two home runs and 20 runs batted in. "She is an athlete and a softball player," head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift said. "Pretty much any- where that we put her, she can handle it and do a good job." • Junior Haylee Kobziak and freshman Kelli Wag- ner are battling for the catching job, which is always an important position in college softball. While the hitting edict holds true at the spot, having good chemistry with the pitchers is important. Kobziak is the Pack's top returner in batting av- erage and made 33 starts last year between first base and catcher, while Wagner was a two-time North Carolina all-state selection at Archdale (N.C.) Trinity High. "When I'm thinking about who will be the start- ing catcher, it's going to be the person that best maintains our pitching staff," Patrick-Swift said. • NC State opens the season playing both Michi- gan and Illinois State Feb. 8 in Tampa, Fla. ■ By The Numbers 2 ACC programs that finished in the top 40 last year — No. 1-ranked Florida State and No. 38-ranked Notre Dame. 17 Stolen bases last year for sophomore out- fielder Sam Russ, who was never caught steal- ing. NC State is expected to continue to be aggressive on the base paths this season. 44 Prep home runs for freshman shortstop April Visser, who attended Herriman High in West Herriman, Utah.