North Carolina State Wolfpack Final '07 Rank: 39 38-23

North Carolina State made their twenty-first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2007, their fifth-straight appearance in the national postseason tournament. The Wolfpack earned an at-large bid after finishing in the middle of the über competitive ACC with a 16-14 record and a 38-23 overall mark. In the Columbia Regional the Pack couldn’t get by Charlotte, losing suffering both of their losses in closely contested contests against the 49ers. After being ranked in second half of the top 20 for most of 2007, the Wolfpack have both the pitching and power to take the next step. The majority of their staff and lineup will once again be back in red and white and the added experience could have North Carolina State making their second school appearance in the College World Series, their first trip to Omaha since 1968.

Despite losing towering 6”10’ Andrew Brackman (3.84, 6-4) and his 97 mile per hour fast ball to the New York Yankees organization, the Pack return one of the deepest and most talented staffs in all college baseball. The staff was already looking formidable going into the fall, when the team received an additional big boost when closer Eryk McConnell decided to return to campus. McConnell was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of last years MLB amateur draft after going 3-2 with 11 saves and a 1.72 ERA. Despite his success in the bullpen, the senior is slated to move back into NC State’s weekend starting rotation, where he went 7-6 with a 4.50 as a sophomore. He'll be joined in the weekend rotation by USA National Team member Eric Surkamp. A second-team All-ACC selection after going 4-5 with a 3.47 ERA and 84 Ks in 96 innings in '07, Surkamp was pitching impressively for the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod League (2-0, 1.85 ERA in five appearances) when the junior lefty was named a late edition to Team USA. Senior righthander Jeff Stallings (3.97, 3-1, 7 starts), junior righthander Clayton Shunick (6.15, 6-3, 4 starts) and sophomore lefty Jimmy Gillheeney (6.36, 4-3, 9 starts) also bring depth and experience to the Packs starting staff. On paper Joey Cutler would appear to be the likely candidate to take over the closer role with McConnell ’s move to the starting ranks. Last year Cutler compiled a 3-0 record, 3 saves and a 3.18 ERA with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of over 4:1 (31 Ks and 7 walks in 28.1 innings pitched); however with such an abundance of pitching available, roles on the staff are undetermined and likely won't be set until spring. Junior Drew Taylor (3.52, 3-2) was McConnell's setup man last year. He led the team with 29 appearances and may start or relieve in 2008 depending on the needs of the team. Sophomore Jake Kensmoe only pitched in 12.2 innings in 14 appearances, but had a 2.84 ERA in those games with only a pair of walks and 10 strikeouts.

The biggest absence in the Wolfpack lineup is the departure of Mike Roskopf. The designated hitter led the team with 13 homeruns in just 158 at bats while batting .316, but will be slugging for Southern California in 2008. The loss of infielder Ramona Corona (.293, 3, 39, 10 SBs) is a significant loss as well, but the rest of NC State’s run producers will be back in action. Sophomore second baseman Dallas Poulk led the team in batting, hitting .394 his freshman season. He was particularly hot at the end of the season, finishing the year with a 17 game hit streak and batted .458 in North Carolina State’s six postseason games. The next three leaders in batting average also return to the starting lineup. Senior outfielder Ryan Pond (.326, 7, 41) has the highest homerun and RBI totals of any returning player. He also finished 2007 on an offensive blitz, batting .397 (27-for-68) over the final 20 games of the year. Centerfielder Marcus Jones established himself as a player to watch after batting .321 in his first season of regular action. As a freshman he was limited to late-inning pinch running and defensive work. Junior first baseman Pat Ferguson hit .319 in his first season in NCAA DI baseball after starting his collegiate career paying for the Saddleback Community College Gauchos.