Pack Pride Podcast

Over the last four days, NC State went from a state of euphoria in Omaha to having its opportunity ripped away by the NCAA. James and Cory break down everything that transpired, their reactions to the Pack9's exit and more. We also discuss the game on Friday for the "Pack13," the reception by NC State fans on Saturday at Doak Field and the response from the administration -- including thoughts on Cory's interview with Boo Corrigan on Monday.

Over the weekend, NC State baseball was removed from the College World Series by the NCAA due to COVID-19 protocols. As more information continues to come out, we were joined by Wolfpack Athletics Director Boo Corrigan to break down exactly what transpired and what NC State did to combat the decision. Corrigan also discusses the events that took place, the lack of transparency by the NCAA, the AP report that contradicts the NCAA's release, the players tested prior to Friday's game that weren't able to arrive in time and much more. Cory and Corrigan also discuss the reception for the Pack9 at Doak Field and plans for a new stadium for the Wolfpack and much more.

NC State's football recruiting continues to stay red hot with three commits in a five-day span for the 2022 class all on the defensive side of the ball. Michael and Cory break down the additions of defensive backs Isaiah Crowell and Darius Edmundson and the four-star commit from edge rusher Brandon Cleveland. What does each player add to the defense in the future? What took place for the Wolfpack to pull Cleveland out of Florida? How many spots are left after the Pack has now reached double-digit commits for the 2022 class? And most importantly -- who's next?

After getting off to a 2-0 start in the College World Series for the first time in program history, NC State is three wins away from a National Championship. Alec and Andrew break down the road ahead and what the Pack9 must do against Vanderbilt to advance to the Best of 3 Finals. What were the guys' thoughts on the first two games for the Pack? Who should start for NC State on Friday and (possibly) Saturday against the Commodores? Will State see Vandy's 1-2 punch of Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter -- and does the Pack even care? We discuss it all on this week's episode of Sawyer & Ciencin ahead of one of the biggest weeks in NC State baseball history!

NC State is headed to the College World Series semifinals after starting off 2-0 in Omaha, so we decided to get Brett Kinneman on to hear about his experience. The former NC State slugger is currently a student assistant with the team and joined James and Cory to break down the Pack's run, Elliott Avent's impact and much more. Cory and James also discuss the Wolfpack's recent success on the football recruiting trail -- including the Pack's latest commit on Tuesday evening.

NC State just keeps on rolling in recruiting, this week adding two of its long-time top targets in the 2022 class. Cory and Michael break down the commitments of four-star running back Michael Allen and high three-star cornerback Jackson Vick in the same week. How did the Wolfpack land each target after more than a year of recruiting them? What makes Vick one of the top DBs in the state? Who is the best comparison for Allen at running back? And most importantly -- who's next?!

Heading into the Fayetteville Super Regional, only one analyst for D1Baseball believed the Pack9 would take down No. 1 Arkansas. That man was Eric Sorenson, and he joined Alec and Andrew on this week's Sawyer & Ciencin Podcast. Sorenson breaks down why he picked NC State to advance to Omaha, his thoughts on Elliott Avent and previews the rest of the field. Alec and Andrew also take a look back on the Pack's performance in Fayetteville and the trip to Omaha in the final segment.

NC State took down the No. 1 team in the country, taking two wins over Arkansas in Fayetteville to advance to the College World Series for the third time in program history. Cory and James were joined this week by Carlos Rodon and Andrew Ciencin to discuss the last trip to Omaha and what this year's berth means for the program. We break down everything from Rodón's start to the season, how this CWS trip shapes Elliott Avent's legacy, what to expect in Omaha and Ciencin's good luck charm. The guys also give their thoughts on on a hot-button topic -- why the Pack9 deserves a new stadium.

NC State swept the Ruston Regionals over the weekend, going 3-0 to advance to the Fayetteville Super Regionals. Alec and Andrew discuss the huge weekend for the Pack9 that led to the first Supers berth since the 2013 season in Arkansas. In the second half of the show, Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball joins Alec at the 32:35 mark to break down the strong start for the Pack, why Arkansas is considered the No. 1 team in the country and State's chances at advancing to the College World Series.

The ball just keeps on rolling for NC State in the 2022 class, with two of the top defensive targets both committing on Tuesday evening. The Wolfpack landed in-state linebackers Daejuan Thompson and Torren Wright after their first unofficial visits -- on the same day! Michael and Cory break down what the commitments mean for the Pack, how important both are heading into a critical week ahead and what comes next for State in the 2022 class.

NC State baseball swept the Ruston Regional, going 3-0 with two wins over No. 1 Louisiana Tech to advance to the Super Regionals. Sawyer & Ciencin host Alec Sawyer joins James and Cory to break down the weekend and look ahead to what comes next. James and Cory also recap the week for NC State in football recruiting, the first weekend of Dave Doeren camps and take a look at the absurd 2.5-win over-under for the Wolfpack in ACC play this fall.

NC State landed its second top target in less than four days and first defensive commit of the 2022 class in Nick Campbell. The defensive end pulled the trigger on Sunday evening after his official visit, so Michael and Cory break down the latest commit on the Pack22 Podcast. How impactful can he be in the 3-3-5 defensive scheme? What makes him the top DL target on NC State's board? How important is the connection with past players in recruiting? We discuss that and take a look back on the first weekend of NC State summer camps.

NC State came up short in the ACC Championship Game, but still locked up one of the top No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Alec and Andrew discuss the Pack's showing in Charlotte and the Ruston Regional. What did the guys learn about the Pack9 during the ACC Tournament run? How likely is it that NC State can advance to the Super Regionals? Which players will need to step up this weekend? We cover it all on this week's podcast!

After zeroing in on MJ Morris for months as the top target, NC State landed the four-star quarterback ahead of a critical stretch in recruiting. Cory and Michael discuss the Top247 prospect following his commitment to the Wolfpack.   How important is Morris to the 2022 class as a whole? What led to Morris committing to play in Raleigh? How good of a fit will Morris be in Tim Beck's system? Just how loaded is the Pack's QB room now? Who's the next commit in 2022?

Despite the Pack9 falling short in the ACC Championship Game, the program still secured a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Regionals starting this week. Aaron Fitt of D1Baseball.com joins Cory and James to discuss NC State's season, the ACC Tournament showing, the Ruston Regional and much more. In the first segment of the show, James and Cory recap the week that was for the Wolfpack before looking ahead to what June will hold as recruiting visits open back up in the final portion. We talk about upcoming visits, which commitment the Pack is hoping to get soon and what's different about this summer.

With the regular season coming to an end, Alec and Andrew were joined by NC State play-by-play announcer Andrew Sanders on this week's podcast. Sanders gives his thoughts on the 2021 season, explained his game prep process and much more! The guys also take a look ahead to the upcoming ACC Tournament, the Pack's potential path, how it could affect seeding for the NCAA Tournament and break down the All-ACC picks for State following the season.

On this week's Pack Pride Podcast, James and Cory are joined by former NC State star and Durham Bulls hitting coach Kyle Wilson. With the team traveling to Jacksonville, there were a few audio issues, but Wilson breaks down the MiLB season, his time in Raleigh, relationship with Russell Wilson and NC State's momentum in May. In the second portion of the show, we take an in-depth look at the last week for NC State, including Manny Bates rumors, women's tennis' run to the Final Four and much more!

Despite taking more than one week off from playing, NC State kept its streak of success alive last week, going 4-0 with a sweep at previously-ranked Pittsburgh. Alec and Andrew break down the week for the Pack9 and look ahead to the FSU series to close out the year. How has the Pack gotten back to being ranked after an abysmal start? Can State keep the momentum going against a hot FSU club? What are the ACC Tournament scenarios heading into the weekend? The guys cover it all on this week's podcast!

It's been an eventful week for NC State leading up to Monday night's podcast, so James and Cory gave a rundown of a variety of topics including baseball's sweep over Pittsburgh, Russell Wilson's commencement speech, women's tennis' run to the Elite 8 and much more! At the 27:35 mark, NC State PG Breon Pass joins the podcast for an interview with Cory. Pass talks about his final season in football and basketball, joining the Pack, expectations for 2021-22 and more.

This offseason, NC State lost one veteran WR coach and replaced him with one of the most experienced in all of college football. New Associate Head Coach and WR Coach Joker Phillips joins Cory Smith to talk about his new position. Phillips breaks down his new wide receivers room, how he's working with the vets and young guns, standout players in the spring, update on Micah Crowell, where the name "Joker" came from, expectations for the 2021 season and more!