NC State will be without Sophomore Right Fielder Josh Hogue for the remainder of the season. Hogue unfortunately suffered a fractured leg due to a collision with Center Fielder Eli Serrano III on Saturday, with both players diving for a ball in the outfield.

Hogue will have to undergo surgery, and he is expected to be out 4 months.

NC State outfielder Josh Hogue has a fractured leg, coach Elliott Avent said. He collided with Eli Serrano III for a hard-hit ball last night.

Hogue is waiting to get surgery, hopefully this evening, and is expected to be out for about four months.

— Noah Fleischman (@fleischman_noah) April 28, 2024

This is a huge loss for the Wolfpack. Hogue has been batting 3rd in NC State’s lineup, with the 3rd best batting average on the squad (.314) and 4th best OPS (.848).

On Sunday, Freshman 2nd Baseman Luke Nixon moved out to Right Field to fill the void, and his brother Chase Nixon was in Right. Starter Senior Noah Soles has been out since the Notre Dame Series at the end of March, but he has been taking batting practice and should be returning soon.

After sweeping Ball State this past weekend, NC State jumped up in almost all of the Top-25 polls.

Baseball America – 13th (+4)

RPI – 20th (+9)

D1Baseball – 20th (+1)

USAToday Coaches Poll – 20th (+3)

Perfect Game – 25th (-)

#21 NC State defeated Ball St. 11-3 this afternoon, completing the sweep of the Cardinals.

Freshman Cooper Consiglio got the start, and pitched a career high 85 pitches, giving up 2 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched. He struck out 3, and walked 3.

Junior Carson Kelly came in for an inning of relief after Consiglio’s exodus, and even though he gave up a run, he was credited with the win.

Junior’s Jacob Cozart (C) and Brandon Butterworth (SS) each hit Home Runs, and each had 3 RBI’s. Cozart was a double shy of hitting for the Cycle. He is on a torrid streak, hitting Home Runs in 6 of the last 7 games.

Hot start from ‘Zart 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2inPsZfFnZ

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 28, 2024

Two-out, two-run damage from Butters 🧈#Pack9 | @SlippinOnButter pic.twitter.com/K2raWgWISa

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 28, 2024

SIX homers in SEVEN games for No. 14 💪 pic.twitter.com/4oEBC93N6H

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 28, 2024

Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III had a multi-hit game, going 2 for 5 with 2 Runs, and Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz had a 2 RBI Double.

The Wolfpack will host UNCW this Tuesday at 5pm.

Sophomore Dom Fritton was solid this afternoon in NC State’s 9-3 win over Ball State, securing the series victory. He gave up 1 earned run in 5.2 innings, striking out 4 (3 walks). The bullpen was solid, with Freshman Jaxon Lucas pitching 1 inning with no earned runs (1 unearned run), while Sophomore Shane Van Dam gave up 1 run in 2.1 innings, striking out 3. Fritton is now 3-3 on the year with a 6.89 ERA.

Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III had a 2 RBI Single in the Bottom of the 2nd, which gave the Wolfpack their 3rd run of the inning after Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz scored off a wild pitch.

Up the middle for ✌️#Pack9 | @eliserrano__ pic.twitter.com/baS1ozuV9D

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 27, 2024

In the Bottom of the 3rd, Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart hit a solo shot, his 11th Home Run of the year, which is a new career high.

Into the trees 🌳💣 pic.twitter.com/3STnCOYvux

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 27, 2024

In the Bottom of the 5th, the Wolfpack would tack on 3 more runs. A-Mak had an RBI groundout, Junior Left Fielder Chase Nixon had an RBI Single, and then he scored when his brother Luke was caught stealing.

In the Bottom of the 7th, Chase Nixon knocked in 2 more with an RBI Double. He also had this web gem in the Top of the 8th, which would have surely scored 2 runs without his diving effort.

What a play by C-Nix 🤯#Pack9 x #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/rNonhH4kCY

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 27, 2024

The Wolfpack and the Cardinals will close out the series tomorrow at 1pm at Doak Field.