College World Series Fans Angry After NC State Is Forced out of Tournament

The NC State Wolfpack baseball team found out their season was over this weekend after being [...]

By Brian Jones

The NC State Wolfpack baseball team found out their season was over this weekend after being forced out of the College World Series. Early Saturday morning, the NCAA Division I baseball committee declared Saturday's winner-take-all bracket final between NC State and Vanderbilt a no contest due to COVID-19 protocols. As a result, Vanderbilt advances to the championship round and will play Mississippi State on Monday.

"The NCAA and the committee regret that NC State's student-athletes and coaching staff will not be able to continue in the championship in which they earned the right to participate," the statement read, per ESPN. "Because of privacy issues, we cannot provide further details."

On Friday' Ryan McGee of ESPN reported that NC State second baseman JT Jarrett and relief pitcher Evan Justice were out due to COVID-19 issues. NC State used only 12 players on Friday and lost to Vanderbilt 3-1. Only 13 players were available.

"The last 24 hours have been extremely difficult for everyone involved and my heart goes out to the student-athletes, coaches and staff of our baseball program," NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan said in a statement Saturday morning. "The health and safety of our student-athletes and staff will always be our unwavering priority. The timing of this is simply devastating for everyone involved, but it doesn't diminish their incredible accomplishments this season." Here's a look at fans sounding off on NC State missing out on a chance to win a championship.

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One fan wrote: "With the way it went down, Vandy and the others should refuse to play until State can too. However, apparently Vandy coach pushed for the testing before yesterday's game, so we know they have no honor. Sad thing is they unvaxxed were neg yesterday and still not allowed to play."

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Another fan wrote: "I'm a healthcare worker, vaccinated, completely for being safe... But this is insane. If you are letting stadiums be full and not test, stop testing players. Imo.

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"No Vandy players have been tested," the fan wrote. "4 of the 6 positive tests came from guys who ARE vaccinated. This message came directly from a player. This was a ruthless and despicable act from the NCAA."

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One social media user added: "They knew the rules. I don't understand why they chances it. I agree & feel horrible for them but pretty stupid to have not gotten vaccinated. They took a chance & it cost them."

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"All of WPN needs to wrap their arms around [NC State baseball] right now and love them with all the gratitude in the world for what they gave us," another fan stated. "They gave us more than any hardware can equal. Bigger things than trophies to be gained in life and they did just that."

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Is Mississippi State now America's team? "We all go to State! Win it all," one fan wrote. "We will celebrate it with you when visit Starkville in September.

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And this fan added: "Have not followed your program, but was blown away by your coaches commitment to his players and their tenacity in the face of adversity yesterday. So sorry this happened to y'all."

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