The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534227
MAY/JUNE 2025 ■ 13 TRACKING THE PACK Junior infielder Matt Heavner played a key role in NC State's run to the College World Series last season, serving as the starting second baseman for all eight of the Wolfpack's postseason games. Returning to the Pack's roster for a third season, Heavner wanted to build on his sophomore campaign. At the midway point of the 2025 regular season, the Lincolnton, N.C., native had done exactly that. Through the team's first 28 games, Heavner had set career-highs with his 3 home runs and 20 RBI. In addition to his own hitting success, Heavner has emerged as one of the most unselfish players in Division I. He was leading the country with 11 sacrifice bunts, while no other player on the Wolfpack roster had more than 1 as of April 7. Here are the highlights of a recent Q&A with Heavner: How has your junior season gone so far? "It's been a lot of fun. We've had 20 new guys and 20 re- turners all three years I've been here. It's always great getting to know the new guys and getting to know the coaches even more." What's your favorite part of playing at NC State? "Definitely the camaraderie and the coaching staff. We always have a great group of guys. We're all great friends. We get close. And the coaches always guide us in the right direction in doing that as well." What's it been like embracing your role as a do-it-all infielder, both starting and coming off the bench in key situations? "I've just used all of my past experiences. I've tried to learn from it, and I'm focused on doing anything I can to help the team win this year. I'm not trying to put too much pressure on myself. I'm just doing whatever I can to help us win." How have you seen those past experiences help you this season? "We talk about it a lot with Coach [Elliott Avent], just not worrying about personal statistics. When you worry about the team goal, it's a lot easier to play free, play confident and to not be too hard on yourself if you do make a mistake, knowing the rest of the team has your back. It's just led me to playing a lot looser." Has that approach made a noticeable difference in games? "I feel a lot more free. The brain is a powerful thing. Whenever you finally get that thing freed up, it helps a lot." You lead the country in sacrifice bunts. What makes you so good at that? "I just focus on trying to get the job done. I wouldn't say there's anything special about the way I bunt. Whenever I have an opportunity to help the team, there's nothing that's going to stop me from trying to do that." What's your approach to a sacrifice bunt in each game? "First off, I just evaluate where the runners are because that determines where the bunt should go to be most effec- tive. I also think about what the pitcher has. If he throws a lot of sliders, I just focus on seeing it, just like a regular at-bat." It seems like you take a lot of pride in bringing en- ergy to the bottom of the order. Why is that so impor- tant to you? "I think if you have a good bottom of the lineup, your team is pretty tough to get out. If the bottom of our lineup can not only flip the order, but continue to get runners on and run- ners in, I think we'll be in a great spot." — Noah Fleischman SITTING DOWN WITH: NC State Junior Infielder Matt Heavner Heavner has started 55 games for the Wolfpack since joining the program in 2023. Through the team's first 28 games this year, he had already set career records with 3 home runs and 20 RBI. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS