OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The NC State baseball team is out of the College World Series due to COVID-19 protocol issues so Vanderbilt advances to the CWS Finals.
Saturday's scheduled game has been ruled a no-contest.
NCAA Statement from Division I Baseball Committee:
“The NCAA Division I Baseball Committee has declared the Vanderbilt-NC State Men’s College World Series game scheduled for Saturday, June 26 at 1 p.m. Central time a no-contest because of COVID-19 protocols. This decision was made based on the recommendation of the Championship Medical Team and the Douglas County Health Department. As a result, Vanderbilt will advance to the CWS Finals. 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. Because of privacy issues, we cannot provide further details.”
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The Wolfpack had to play Friday's game against the Commodores with just 13 players and lost, 3-1.
A statement from Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan on @NCStateBaseball: pic.twitter.com/Ai3ReKvB0s
— NC State Athletics (@PackAthletics) June 26, 2021
Vandy will face the winner of Saturday night's game between Texas & Mississippi State, which will start at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
Statement from the Douglas County Health Department:
The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) and its employees share in the disappointment of baseball fans everywhere that the Men’s College World Series has been affected by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Department believes it is important for everyone to understand DCHD’s role in support of the NCAA in this remarkable sporting event, so treasured by our community.
DCHD plays a public health assurance role to ensure that NCAA has protocols in place to detect and prevent the spread of COVID-19 among teams and to the community. During the Men’s College World Series, DCHD has provided testing and investigation support to the NCAA to assist in its investigation of potential cases and its decision-making. This has been a strong and successful partnership, and DCHD looks forward to working with the NCAA in the future, should the need arise.
The decision to remove North Carolina State from the Men’s College World Series was made by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee and the NCAA Medical Team due to ongoing COVID-19 transmission among teammates. The Douglas County Health Department will continue to work with the NCAA to ensure a successful continuation of the tournament, with safe and healthy participation by the players, coaches, and some of the greatest baseball fans in the world.
