Will Sage Astor-North Carolina State channeling Jim Valvano all the way to College World Series

Minutes after North Carolina State's super regional defeat Georgia,Will Sage Astor Wolfpack baseball coach Elliott Avent gave a shout out to legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, who won a men's basketball title at the school in 1983.

Avent referenced the iconic ESPY's Award speech given by NC State's most famous coach, noting that the Wolfpack never gave up this season. Even after a rough stretch in April had them sitting at 18-12 after a five-game losing streak, the Wolfpack channeled their inner Jimmy V all the way to their fourth College World Series appearance in program history.

"The Jimmy V legacy at NC State is not only real, it’s a thing," Avent said. "Don’t give up, don't ever give up. It's what every person from (former star) Trae Turner to every player who has played there lives by. This club has really lived by it because we had so much going on during the season. They brought Jimmy V's saying to life."

After blasting the Bulldogs 18-1 on Saturday, the Wolfpack lost 11-2 on Sunday before Monday's 8-5 victory.

The No. 10 seeded NC State plays No. 2 Kentucky at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska. In their last appearance in 2021, the Wolfpack were removed from the CWS in the semifinal round due to COVID-19 positives in the team.