N.C. State's Trea Turner shines for Stars in Prospect Classic

Published: July 3, 2012 

Wolfpack infielder anchors Collegiate Team in 9-0 win.

— CORRECTION made at 2 p.m. July 3, 2012: Trea Turner's final at bat (a single) was previously omitted from this article.

The Collegiate National Stars continued their dominance of the Prospect Classic on Monday night, in part because of a standout performance by Trea Turner.

The N.C. State freshman infielder finished the night 2-for-3 with a triple, a single, a walk and an RBI to lead the Collegiate National Stars to a 9-0 win over the 18U Stripes at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

Turner said it was like he was at N.C. State’s Doak Field each time he stepped to the plate.

“When I stepped in the box everyone was going crazy,” he said. “I looked back at the catcher, and we both laughed. I told him, ‘It’s like I’m playing at home.’

“It’s been awesome to have Wolfpack fans come support me and (fellow N.C. state freshman) Carlos (Rodon).”

As he has for the entire Prospect Classic, Turner used his patience at the plate to draw a walk in his first at-bat. D.J. Peterson, an infielder for New Mexico, drove him home on a groundout to put the Stars up 1-0.

The Stars tacked on three more runs in the first, getting an RBI triple from Oregon State’s Michael Conforto, who later scored.

Turner led off the second inning by lacing a ball to deep center field that he turned into a triple. He scored on an infield single by Johnny Field.

Peterson tripled again, and the Stars went up by seven in the bottom of the second.

“The walks are coming more on the pitcher’s part than my own,” Turner said. “I’m doing a better job of not chasing pitches like I was when I was starting at State, but I also feel like the pitchers are helping me out some.”

Rob Kaminsky started for the Stars and pitched two innings, giving up one hit to earn the win. The Englewood Cliffs, N.J., prospect got the start for the Collegiate National team because the two teams traded pitchers as 18U and college pitchers pitched to their respective counterparts.

Adam Plutko was hit hard through the first three innings, giving up nine runs on five extra-base hits. The UCLA pitcher couldn’t find his control in the first inning, walking the first two batters and giving up four triples.

Florida’s Jonathon Crawford and Mississippi’s Bobby Wahl combined to give up only two hits and no runs through the final three innings for the 18U Stripes.

Wahl finished with five strikeouts in two innings.

“That was an unbelievable team I faced tonight. I should know since it’s my team,” Wahl said with a laugh. “I just spent most of my time trying not to laugh because I’m such good friends with those guys.”

The final game of the Prospect Classic will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Rodon, who was initially slated to pitch Monday, will make the start for the Stars.

The N.C. State freshman finished the season as an All-American with a 9-0 record, a 1.57 ERA and 135 strikeouts.

With the same format for Tuesday’s game, Turner will be the first batter Rodon faces.

“I’m not particularly looking forward to it, but it’s a challenge. I like to challenge myself,” Turner said.

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