NC State promotes Chris Hart to replace retiring baseball coach Elliott Avent

By The Associated Press
May 22, 2026 | 12:47 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — N.C. State has promoted Chris Hart to replace baseball coach Elliott Avent, who is retiring at the end of the season.

The school announced Hart’s promotion on Friday, a day after Avent announced his retirement after 30 seasons.

Hart has been on N.C. State’s staff for 22 years, the past 11 as associate head coach. He has also served as the Wolfpack’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator while being involved in all facets of the program.

Hart was named Baseball America’s national assistant coach of the year in 2021.

Avent led the Wolfpack to 22 NCAA regionals, six super regionals and CWS appearances in 2013, 2021 and 2024. N.C. State lost to Duke in the ACC Tournament this week and is hoping to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced on Monday.

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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

Cue the trumpet: Edwin Díaz returns to earn save for the Dodgers after 85-game absence

By The Associated Press
July 30, 2026 | 1:58 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cue the trumpet. Edwin Díaz is back to close out games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 32-year-old right-hander came off the injured list Wednesday after missing 85 games, having had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow in April. “We just got a lot better,” manager Dave Roberts said. Fans were on their feet cheering when Díaz entered in the ninth to Timmy Trumpet's “Narcos.” He gave up two hits and one run while earning his fifth save of the season in a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. His four-seam fastball touched 98 mph.

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