NC State’s Cinderella run through the College World Series is officially over. Only hours after taking the field against Vanderbilt with a depleted roster, the NCAA ruled that Saturday’s winner take all game between the Wolfpack and the Commodores would be deemed a no contest. As a result, Vanderbilt would be moving on to the Championship Round and NC State’s CWS run would be coming to an end.
Friday saw North Carolina State take the field with only 13 active players due to COVID protocols. The Wolfpack had only 9 positional players and 4 pitchers available in what amounted to a 3-1 loss setting up the win or go home rubber match on Saturday. Unfortunately, eleven hours later organizers informed NC State that they would be unable to compete due to concerns from local public health officials.
The no contest brings an end to one of the more magical runs through the CWS in recent years, and the reaction from fans around the country was fast and furious:
NC State becomes only the fourth college team to be removed from NCAA Championship competition across all sports this year because of COVID protocols. The Wolfpack have never won a CWS championship in program history, however after upending number 1 Arkansas to qualify for the tournament, and being so close to the championship game itself, optimism was at an all time high in Raleigh, NC.
Baseball fans around the globe have been blasting the NCAA for their decision to pull the entire NC State from the tournament when they’ve been more than happy to let tens of thousands of maskless fans pack into stadiums. The “no contest” now allows defending champion Vanderbilt to reach the finals while resting their star pitchers and bullpen.
The Commodores will face the winner of the Texas vs. Mississippi State series in a best two of three contest scheduled to begin Monday. NC State is scheduled to have a press conference later this weekend.