NC State Left With 13 Men For College World Series After Positive COVID Tests, Pictures Go Viral

NC State already had the tall task of going up against Vanderbilt ace Kumar Rocker on Friday afternoon at the College World Series. But to make matters worse, their program received some bad news prior to the elimination game.

As teams were warming up for the game, NC State was informed that most of their roster would be ineligible for the game due to positive COVID tests coming back and contact tracing. The Wolfpack were left with just 13 men trying to get their program to the College World Series final for the first time in its history.

When the team took the field for the National Anthem, the 13 men left standing made for a somewhat-chilling photograph.

The 13 men left standing. pic.twitter.com/FcPtya5euJ

— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) June 25, 2021

[SideAction-ad-group]

NC State’s situation is going viral, and many fans are vying for the 13 players to somehow find a way to scratch a win across against the nation’s top pitcher.

NC State only has 14 total players available today due to covid protocols. It’s insane any sport still has covid protocols at this point. No heathy, young athlete is in danger from covid. And all coaches can be vaccinated. Pure madness to still have these rules in place.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 25, 2021

Now the umps are screwing NC State, too. This is an embarrassment.

— Brandon Walker (@BWalkerSEC) June 25, 2021

Live shot of NC State heading to the field 20 minutes before first pitch: pic.twitter.com/xHh4Ykrfcq

— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) June 25, 2021

Here is NC State’s entire available roster pic.twitter.com/p8yIpag5BP

— Steve Robertson (@ScoutSteveR) June 25, 2021

NC State has just 13 players active for this game.

This is unbelievable.

— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) June 25, 2021

After the COVID stuff, NC State legitimately only has four pitcher to choose from in their game right now. They have completely won over the crowd in Omaha, and if they were able to find a way to come up with the massive upset, it would be one hell of a story.

You gotta feel for the kids who waited their whole lives for this moment, only to be told they cannot play at the last moment. Truly heartbreaking.

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!