#10 NC State shuts out #2 Clemson 4-0, Kinneman hits NCAA leading 11th HR

NC State is starting to make some real national noise now. They went on the road to face #2 Clemson and came away with a shutout victory in the series opener

WOLFPACK WINS! #Klyman gets a swinging strikeout to end it, as #Pack9 takes down No. 2 Clemson in the series opener with a 4-0 shutout win over the Tigers #STATEment 💯 pic.twitter.com/yoiDrZvgDm

— #Pack9 ⚾ (@NCStateBaseball) March 17, 2018

Four different NC State pitchers combined for the shutout. They combined to allow just 6 hits and all were singles. Starter Micheal Bienlien got the win, going 5 innings with 3 K’s and only one walk. Bienlien had his fastball working with some late sink that led to ground ball after ground ball. He moves to 2-0 on the season.

Offensively, the Brett Kinneman show rolls on. The sophomore OF hit his 11th homer, giving him back the NCAA lead over Cal’s Andrew Vaughn. SS Will Wilson also kept up the hot hitting with 2 singles and 2 more RBIs. He’s second on the team with 15 batted in (Behind Kinneman’s 32).

NC State moves to 16-3 on the year and 3-1 in ACC action, while Clemson falls to 16-2 and 3-1 in conference play.

The two teams have another one today at 4pm and then close the series with a 1pm game on Sunday.

Game Notes

– The Wolfpack recorded its first ACC shutout since May 26, 2014, when NC State defeated Georgia Tech at home, 1-0.

– It was the Pack’s first ACC road shutout since earning a 10-0 victory at Boston College on May 20, 2011.

– Clemson was shutout for the first time in regular-season conference play since March 17, 2017, when Virginia earned a 2-0 win in Clemson.

– Sophomore Michael Bienlien made his first weekend start and just his second of the season, delivering a brilliant performance with five scoreless innings pitched to go along with three strikeouts.

– Last season, the Pack defeated top-ranked Louisville at home for a top-five victory.