The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
130 ■ THE WOLFPACKER HOT START Third Baseman Andrew Knizner Exceeded Expectations, Immediately Becoming A Big Contributor BY BRUCE WINKWORTH A ndrew Knizner had no idea what to expect when he ar- rived at NC State to begin his college career last fall. While he hoped for the best, hoped for playing time and the opportunity to help the team win, he never envisioned the remarkable season that unfolded for him in 2014. "I came in just hoping I could contribute to the team in some way," Knizner said. "That was my ultimate goal. It just so happened that I had a really good fall, had a chance to start, and then played throughout the whole year. I think I was a big contribu- tor to the team." That last sentence is a great understatement. When the dust finally settled on the season, Knizner batted .330 with 11 doubles, four home runs and 47 RBI. He finished second on the team in batting and third in doubles, and led the team and finished sixth in the ACC in RBI — 11 ahead of first-team All-American Trea Turner. Knizner's .450 slugging percentage was third on the club. The Wolfpack's starting third baseman from day one, Knizner hit the ground running, batting up a storm and driving in runs in clusters. He hit safely in 11 of his first 12 games, going 19 for 44 with 12 RBI in that 12-game stretch. He went 3 for 5 and drove in three runs March 2 versus Youngstown State, and then went 3 for 4 and drove in five runs the next game March 5 against North Carolina A&T. He homered in each game. He also had five hits and drove in three runs March 15 in the series finale at Florida State. At that point, through 16 games, he was hitting .448 (26 for 58) with four doubles, two home runs, and a team-leading 15 RBI. He cooled off somewhat from there, but he never stopped hitting and never stopped driving in runs until the season was over. "I came out hot in the spring and was swinging it really well for the first half of the season, then kind of just maintained it for the rest of the year," Knizner said. "I think I was pretty consistent throughout the whole year." Unlike many freshmen, Knizner was hardly an early-season flash that faded when the competition got stiffer and conference action commenced. His worst month of the season arguably was April, when he batted .294 yet led the team with five doubles and 14 RBI. In fact, he led the team in RBI every month of the season except February, and his RBI total increased each month as the year went along. As for ACC games, he batted .301 with seven doubles, two homers and 22 RBI — leading the team in RBI and finishing second in doubles. Knizner finished second on the team with 18 multiple-hit games, and led the club with 12 multiple-RBI games. He had a 10-game hitting streak, tied for second longest on the team, and had a pair of eight-game streaks as well. Knizner reaped the rewards for his standout campaign. At the conclusion of the regular season, he was named third-team All-ACC by the conference's 14 head coaches. Three Knizner served as the Pack's starting third basemen from day one, led the team and finished sixth in the ACC in RBI (47), finished second on the team in batting average (.330), and was third in doubles (11) and slugging percentage (.450). PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP ■ Rookie of the Year 130-132.Rookie of the Year.indd 130 6/27/14 8:25 AM