It was a warm autumn day in Raleigh, North Carolina. The leaves were just starting to turn and the air had a crispness to it that promised cooler days ahead. On this particular day, however, the temperature was still quite comfortable as fans filed into Doak Field to watch their beloved Wolfpack take on Duke in a key conference matchup.
As the game got underway, it quickly became clear that NC State was the better team. They jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 9-4 victory. But as the players and fans celebrated the win, they had no way of knowing that it would be the last time the Wolfpack would take the field as a team.
Just days after the game, it was revealed that NC State had used an ineligible player and as a result, they were forced to forfeit the win and their spot in the ACC tournament. The news came as a shock to everyone involved with the program and sent the team into a tailspin.
Why Did NC State Baseball Get Disqualified
The whole situation started with a player named Andrew Carraway. Carraway was a transfer from Liberty University and he had only been with the team for a few weeks when the Duke game was played.
Initially, there was no problem with his eligibility. But after further analysis, it was determined that he had not met the criteria for a transfer student-athlete. Specifically, he had not spent enough time at his previous school before transferring to NC State.
As a result of using an ineligible player, the Wolfpack were forced to forfeit the game and they were also disqualified from the ACC tournament. It was a tough pill to swallow for a team that had worked so hard all season.
What Happened to NC State Baseball After the Disqualification?
The short answer is: not much. The team continued to play out the rest of their schedule and they even managed to win a few games. But the damage had been done and NC State was not going to be playing in the postseason.
It was a tough way to end the season for a team that had so much promise. But in the end, they handled the situation with class and they will be back next year to try and make things right.
The Unfair Decision to Disqualify NC State’s Baseball Team
When it was initially announced that NC State would be forfeiting their game against Duke and then later disqualified from the ACC tournament, many people were quick to criticize the decision. After all, it seemed like a harsh punishment for what was essentially a mistake by the coaching staff.
But upon further analysis, it is clear that the disqualification was the right call. NC State knowingly used an ineligible player and as a result, they broke the rules.
There is no doubt that it was an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. But in the end, justice was served and the right decision was made.