The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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70 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Sam Gress. Each brings something differ- ent to the table and opponents can't assume which one they will face. "They are very improved, both mentally and command in pitches in general," Pat- rick-Swift said. "I think you have some east- to-west and some up-and-down and you get changing speeds [with the three pitchers]." Last year, Nester went 14-8 with a 3.37 earned run average and struck out 153 bat- ters in 149⅔ innings. Wallace, a Coastal Carolina transfer, went 13-16 with a 3.47 ERA and struck out 155 batters in 175⅔ innings. Both walked 84 batters, with Wal- lace starting 34 games and Nester 20. "I always go with the hot hand," Patrick- Swift said. "I don't go into a season think- ing, 'This is my No. 1.' My mindset has been that no matter how many we have, it depends on the matchup with a team and how they are feeling. "Our pitchers will even tell you that I'll have a hot hand." The Wolfpack have six freshmen join- ing the program and some could make an instant impact. Freshman Libby Whittaker of Mifflinburg, Pa., could crack the lineup and has been a "tireless worker" since her arrival in the fall. Gress will concentrate on pitching, but could also play some infield this season. ■ Last season, senior right fielder Brigette Nordberg led the Wolfpack with 16 home runs, 45 RBI and 104 total bases. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS Noting The Pack • Head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift has a pair of defensive stalwarts who might not have hit above .200 last year, but are key to the Wolfpack's attack this season. Sophomore shortstop April Visser and senior outfielder Angie Rizzi are both key players, and should improve at the plate this season. Visser hit .192 with eight home runs and 24 RBI, while Rizzi hit .162 with four homers and 11 RBI. "The shortstop calls our defense and I look for April to be consistent defensively," Patrick-Swift said. "She does a great job of controlling the in- field." Rizzi has been a model performer in offseason workouts and fall scrimmages. The former Long Is- land-Brooklyn performer has caught Patrick-Swift's eye, and could grab the third outfielder spot. She'll compete with senior Tatyana Forbes. "She has worked so hard over the summer to be back comfortable hitting on the right side," Patrick- Swift said. "She led us this fall in home runs and looks comfortable in the box." Three Players To Watch Junior left fielder Sam Russ The Charlotte, N.C., native stole a school-record 32 stolen bases on 33 tries last year, and led the team with .326 batting average, 42 runs scored, 56 hits, five triples and a .445 on-base percentage. The leadoff hitter was named second-team All-ACC and was chosen to the league's all-tournament squad last year. The lefty hitter slugged five home runs and drove in 13. Senior right fielder Brigette Nordberg The Maryland transfer from Exton, Pa., led NC State with 16 home runs and 45 RBI, and was second with a .291 batting average and .630 slugging percentage. The home runs ranked fourth in program history for a single season. Nordberg slugged three round-trippers in a win over Murray State last year, and then two more in the next game against Charlotte. She also had 12 contests where she had multiple RBI. Nordberg had two home runs, 20 RBI and a .272 batting average her sophomore year at Maryland. Senior pitcher Devin Wallace The Coastal Carolina transfer from Apex (N.C.) Middle Creek High went 13-16 with a 3.47 earned run average last year. She struck out 155 hitters and walked 84 in 175⅔ innings, while opponents hit .233 against her last year. Wallace finished with two shutouts among her 34 starts, and she even saved two contests. The righty has gone 24-33 with a 3.40 ERA in 83 games (65 starts) during her college career.