O’Donnell Breaks Program Record in NC State’s First Midweek Loss

RALEIGH, N.C. – Redshirt senior Joe O’Donnell broke the program record with his 88thcareer appearance on the mound, but the fifth-ranked NC State baseball team suffered its first midweek loss of the season as Campbell earned a 5-4 win Wednesday night at Doak Field at Dail Park.

After the Fighting Camels pulled ahead 5-4 in the top of the ninth, NC State loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the frame but couldn’t get the big hit to tie the game or take the lead.

NC State falls to 31-12 on the year, while Campbell improves to 24-18. The Wolfpack won the first two meetings against the Camels this season but was unable to complete the season sweep.

Quick Hits
– O’Donnell pitched the ninth for NC State to set the program record for career appearances, eclipsing Joey Devine’s mark of 87. He now owns the second-most appearances among active ACC pitchers.

– Campbell struck first in the contest with two runs in the top of the second to grab a 2-0 lead.
– With runners on second and third, Tyler Anshaw singled to right field to score both runners.
– NC State trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth after a pinch-hit RBI single from Brad Debo to score Terrell Tatum from second base.
– Josh McLain knotted the score at two in the seventh with a single to center field, as Tatum scored for the second time on the day.
– The Fighting Camels answered with a pair of runs in the eighth to pull ahead, 4-2, scoring a run on an RBI single from Bryce Myers and a wild pitch.
– NC State quickly countered in the bottom of the frame to even the tally at four after a sacrifice fly from Shane Shepard and a wild pitch. Unfortunately, a swinging strikeout followed with runners on second and third as the Pack was unable to strike for more runs in the inning.
– One swing of the bat gave Campbell a 5-4 lead in the ninth thanks to a solo homer from Matthew Barefoot and it proved to be the difference in the game.

Inside the Box Score
– Evan Edwards drew three walks in the game to extend his reached base safely streak to a team-leading 14 consecutive games.
– McLain’s single in the seventh stretched his reached base safely streak to 12 games.
– NC State outhit Campbell, 7-6, and drew 12 walks but it wasn’t enough to earn the win.
– Sophomore Mathieu Gauthier started on the mound for the Wolfpack and pitched 3.1 innings in a no decision.

On Deck
The Wolfpack returns to action this weekend when the squads hosts William & Mary for a non-conference series at Doak Field at Dail Park. Friday’s game is set for 6:30 p.m.