NC State Newsstand: Derrick Smith makes USA Collegiate National Team debut
After a standout sophomore campaign, NC State closer Derrick Smith earned an invitation to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp this month before earning a spot on the 28-man roster.
Smith, who was joined by rising sophomores Cooper Consiglio and Jacob Dudan in camp, was the only Wolfpack player to make the national team. The other two are on USA Baseball’s Summer Tour roster.
The White Bear Lake, Minn., native made his national team debut in USA’s 5-4 win over Chinese Taipei on Saturday night in Fayetteville, N.C. Smith entered the game in the eighth inning, punching out the first batter he faced on three pitches — all sliders.
Smith returned for the ninth, where he found himself in some trouble with the bases loaded in a one-run game, but he was able to escape the jam and allowed USA to earn the International Friendship Series opening win. The right-hander earned the save with two hits allowed, two walks and a strikeout in 1.1 innings pitched.
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Team USA’s Collegiate National Team returns to the field Sunday at the training complex in Cary. The team will play Monday night in Cary before traveling to Greensboro on Tuesday and Kannapolis on Wednesday night. All games are against Chinese Taipei and will begin at 6:35 p.m.
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NC State quarterback commit Will Wilson says more good news is on the way for the Pack.
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Wilson teased more commitments that are on the way as NC State’s recruitment heats up.
“Buckle up,” Wilson said. “Enjoy the ride, just enjoy it. It’s going to be a great couple of months. I promise you that.”
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