The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532241
42 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN f Elliot Avent had asked each of his players to fill out a lineup card a few months before the 2024 season, the longtime NC State baseball coach likely would have seen the same names appearing over and over. Everyone knew that Jacob Cozart would start at catcher, that Garrett Pennington and Alec Ma- karewicz had the corner infield spots anchored and that Eli Serrano III was set to move to center field. If he had conducted a similar exercise ahead of the Wolf- pack's upcoming season, the results would have been much different. Indeed, Avent believes he might have gotten a different lineup from each of his 39 players. NC State has lost seven of nine starters from last year's team, which reached the Men's College World Series for the second time in the past four seasons. This year's squad is sure to have a new look on the Doak Field diamond. While that could be positive in the long run, the Pack will have to rely on new hitters to produce runs, including nine position players who arrived via the transfer portal or junior college ranks. "Right now, there are a lot of guys out there battling for spots," said Avent, who is preparing for his 29th season in Ra- leigh. "This is going to be a whole different team." There will be changes on the mound, too. For the first time in six years, NC State will not lean on either Sam Highfill or Logan Whitaker, both of whom are in Major League Baseball organizations going into the 2025 campaign. Instead, the Pack will rely on a mix of experienced veterans and battle-tested underclassmen. Graduate right-hander Matt Willadsen and junior lefty Dominic Fritton are two oft-used vets, while a group of talented relievers — junior Derrick Smith and sophomores Cooper Consiglio and Ja- I BUILDING BOOM Even Amid A Personnel Overhaul, NC State Brings High Hopes Into The 2025 Baseball Season Sophomore reliever Jacob Dudan was named a first-team preseason All-American by D1 Baseball in January. A year ago, he compiled a 4-2 record with 6 saves and a 4.50 ERA in 27 appearances. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS