N.C. State No Longer An Unknown To Sipple

Tristan Sipple LHP / 1B / Madison, OH / 2020

MIDDLETOWN - When North Carolina State contacted Tristan Sipple about coming on a visit, the Middletown Madison incoming senior did not know what to think.

“I didn’t know anything about N.C. State, I’d never heard of them,” admitted Sipple, who was playing in a tournament in Georgia at the time of the invite. “I rearranged to go on a visit while I was there, but I ended up calling it off. I didn’t know how I’d react being that I was away from home. But (pitching) coach (Chris) Hart talked me into coming.”

It changed the outlook of the 17-year-old left-handed pitcher who is rated 45th in Ohio’s 2020 class.

“It was an awesome visit,” Sipple reflected. “(Head) Coach (Elliott) Avent is a great guy, one of the main reasons I’m going there. I loved the atmosphere and the way the coach talks of his players. It reminds me of my high school coach who I’m really close to. He went on three of my five visits to colleges.”

The chance to play at N.C. State, when offered, was too great to pass up for the 6-0 185-pound southpaw.

“They were number one in the country for three weeks this past season, so that says something,” noted Sipple about a program that has made 15 NCAA Tournament appearances in the past 17 years, advancing to the College World Series in 2013. “The campus is beautiful, it’s not too big and not too small. In talking to a guy from Cincinnati going there, he loves it.”

After an offer came, Sipple took his time making a decision.

“I didn’t decide for three more weeks,” Sipple said. “I went on a couple more visits.”

Purdue, Cincinnati, Miami and Ball State were others the fourth-ranked 2020 left-handed pitcher in the state considered.

“I kind of had them stacked in my head, but I knew what was best for my future,” Sipple explained. “Education comes first and financially it was a good deal. It’s a great school as far as baseball and academics.”

Sipple gave credit to PBR with playing a big role in his recruiting process.