The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/503388
MAY 2015 ■ 69 night to help the Wolfpack to a 5-4 victory in 17 innings that punched its ticket to Omaha. "I think that hit [in game one versus Rice] just showed how much we were really hurt- ing from the year before from not making it to Omaha," Fincher said. "We were not going to let it happen again. We came back in both of those games. We were down one run and three runs in those games, and it just goes to show how much determination we had as a team. And for my teammates to put me in that position to hit that walk-off single was just one of the best moments of my career. I'll never forget it." Fincher carried the momentum of the Col- lege World Series run with him to Cotuit in the Cape Cod League and had an outstand- ing season, hitting .295 and being selected to play in the Cape Cod League All-Star Game, collecting a double in two at-bats. Success in the Cape League led to a strong start in 2014 with the Pack. Fincher batted .317 the first 19 games of the season before falling into what became a team-wide slump, his average dip- ping as low as .245 in late April. The Wolf- pack rallied to win 10 of its final 14 games in an ill-fated push for the postseason, and Fincher was right there leading the way by hitting .327 with four steals those final weeks. Fincher returned to Cotuit last summer and continued to hit. He led the league in hitting at .403 after 21 games and made his second start in the Cape League All-Star Game. Even after tailing off late in the summer, he fin- ished with a most respectable .277 average, four doubles and two triples in one of the best pitcher's leagues in the country. The 2015 season is winding down now, and the only thing left in Fincher's career is to write the ending, hopefully a happy one. And the only happy ending Fincher wants is a return to the postseason. That is his only goal, and it is still within the Wolfpack's grasp. "So far, I'm excited with the year I've had but it's hard to sit down and reflect on it," Fincher said. "I want desperately to get this team into the postseason. That's all that's really on my mind — winning. Everything that's happened in my career comes down to helping this team win now. That's all I care about." ■ Wake Stone Corporation Five convenient locations to serve you with crushed stone: triangle Quarry Moncure Quarry I-40 at Harrison Ave. US 1 at Deep River 919-677-0050 919-755-7349 knightdale Quarry Hwy. 64 East 919-266-9266 nash Co. Quarry n. Myrtle Quarry I-95 at Gold Rock Hwy. 9 East, SC 252-985-4411 843-756-3400 "He had three really good years, and this year he's really stepped it up a notch and been the best player he's ever been. He's been very valuable for us." ■ Wolfpack head coach Elliott Avent on Fincher