Has there ever been a better Wilmington connection for an ACC baseball team?

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Chance Shepard is one of the nation’s best home run hitters. Joe O’Donnell is the reigning ACC pitcher of the week. Shane Shepard typically finds himself in the starting lineup for NC State. All three call Wilmington home. We caught up with all three earlier this week in their only appearance of the season at UNCW’s Brooks Field.

“It’s fun playing with Shane and Joe.” That’s Chance Shepard. He’s had fun playing baseball with his brother Shane, and friend Joe O’Donnell for several years now, but the NC State slugger had a frustrating night in his hometown on Tuesday against UNCW. Overall, this season has been just the opposite for Chance Shepard. Chance made opposing pitchers howl for six straight games after going deep with a home run for six games in a row. In fact that’s a new school record for the Wolfpack. So, the question is, how’s he do it? “I’m not really sure,” Chance Shepard told WWAY on Tuesday. “Just putting more balls in play right now. I’m feeling really comfortable, except for tonight.”

Shane Shepard is Chance Shepard’s younger brother. Shane is a sophomore now and seeing more playing time in his second season than his first for NC State. “It’s always a possibility for Chance to hit a home run,” Shane told WWAY. “He’s always had power.”

Shane and Chance and both graduates of Ashley High. Pitcher Joe O’Donnell is a Hoggard grad. O’Donnell spent his first two Wolfpack seasons in the bullpen, but he’s now the Friday starter. In fact O’Donnell is the reigning ACC pitcher of the week. He’s 3-1 overall with a 2.64 ERA. “I’m definitely more comfortable as a starter. You know when you’re going to throw. That allows you to have the same routine every week. It gets you in a better rhythm.”