Baseball America: Eight for Omaha 2013
Baseball America picks State as one of their eight teams for Omaha in 2013. The other seven include: Arkansas, Miss. St, UNC, Oregon State, Stanford, TCU, and Vandy.No recruiting class made more of a splash this year than N.C. State's, as first-team All-America lefthander Carlos Rodon, blazing third baseman Trea Turner, center fielder Jake Fincher and switch-hitting catcher/outfielder Brett Austin all became impact regulars. The 'Pack lost just two drafted players off this year's super regional team-leading home run hitter Ryan Mathews and shortstop Chris Diaz, though it will also miss graduating captain Andrew Ciencin. Outfielder Brent Williams, who hit .286/.368/.445 with six homers in 2011, should return as a fifth-year senior after missing 2012 with a knee injury. Turner should slide seamlessly to short, while Austin should tap into more of his significant raw power and become a centerpiece of the lineup. Leading hitter Danny Canela also returns to keep Austin from having to shoulder the catching burden on his own. Outfielder Tarran Senay, second baseman Matt Bergquist and righties Ethan Ogburn, Chris Overman and Ryan Wilkins join Canela in what should be a strong senior class. Rodon returns as the cornerstone of the pitching staff, and the power-armed duo of Logan Jernigan and Anthony Tzamtzis also figures to improve. The recruiting class is heavy on pitching, giving the Wolfpack plenty of choices for the rotation and depth in the bullpen. In short, N.C. State will be loaded, and should have every piece in place to reach Omaha for the first time since 1968.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/postseason/college-world-series/2012/2613617.html
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