The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546417
BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN hris Hart stood on the field inside Dick Howser Stadium in dismay. A do- it-all player at Florida State, Hart had become accustomed to ending his season in Omaha, having done so in his first two years with the Seminoles. But in 2003, Texas defeated the host Seminoles in an NCAA Super Regional. Instead of traveling to the annual site of the Men's College World Series, Hart saw his ca- reer conclude in Tallahassee. He could hardly believe it. But it wasn't just the loss that struck him on that sweltering June night. When Florida State reached the CWS during Hart's time in the program, players cel- ebrated the Super Regional victory with abandon, piling on top of each other as they basked in the glory of making it to college baseball's elite eight. Texas, however, didn't race to the middle of the infield after taking down the No. 1 national seed. There was no big celebration of any kind. Instead, the defending national champion Long- horns lined up to high-five one another before shaking hands with Hart and his Florida State teammates. Puzzled by their opponents' muted response, Hart asked Texas pitcher Huston Street, an eventual first-round MLB draft pick and two-time All-Star, why the Longhorns weren't more ex- cited. After all, they had just accom- C SWINGING FOR SWINGING FOR THE FENCES THE FENCES Chris Hart Brings Championship Expectations To His New Role As Head Baseball Coach NC State made three appearances in the Men's College World Series during Hart's tenure as an assistant coach. He's looking to help the Wolfpack take the next step now that he's been appointed head coach of the perennially successful program. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS 46 ■ THE WOLFPACKER