N.C. State was removed from the College World Series early Saturday because of the team’s COVID-19 issues.
The NCAA Division I Baseball Committee announced the decision, which was made on the recommendation of local health officials in Omaha, Neb., about 12 hours before the Wolfpack were to face defending champion Vanderbilt for a place in this year’s finals. That game was declared a no-contest, and Vanderbilt was declared the winner of its bracket.
The Commodores will meet Mississippi State or Texas in Game 1 of the best-of-three final series Monday.
“This decision was made based on the recommendation of the championship medical team and the Douglas County Health Department,” the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee announced on Twitter at 2:10 a.m. ET Saturday. The NCAA said it could not provide additional details, citing “privacy issues.”
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. #CWS pic.twitter.com/amxdQwkQ6l
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 26, 2021
N.C. State’s active roster was reduced to 13 prior to its game Friday vs. Vandy after players were placed in health and safety protocols. The Wolfpack chose not to forfeit the game; they played and lost to Kumar Rocker and the Commodores 3-1. That result set up a Saturday winner-take-all return matchup, until the health officials stepped in.