NC State Baseball
#2 NC State Runs Past George Mason to Stay Unbeaten
RALEIGH, N.C. – Headlined by a 10-run sixth inning, the second-ranked NC State baseball team cruised past the George Mason Patriots, 18-3, Wednesday afternoon at Doak Field at Dail Park to stay unbeaten.
The Wolfpack moves to 17-0 and is one of the nation’s two remaining undefeated teams, along with Arizona State. Already off to its best start in program history, NC State’s 17 consecutive wins is the second longest winning streak in program history behind the 1990 team with a 19-game win streak.
After George Mason knotted the game with a run in the top of the third, NC State responded with six runs in the bottom of the frame en route to the dominant win.
Redshirt freshman Cameron Cotter was stellar in relief, throwing three shutout innings to earn his first career win. George Mason (8-6) starter Patrick Halligan was charged with his first loss of the season after yielding four earned runs in 2.1 innings.
Avent’s Additions
“I’m really proud of our team,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “It was a tough game to play because we got back at 2 a.m. last night after a very emotional game at Charlotte in a beautiful ballpark in front of a great crowd.
“Your body is a little sluggish and tired, so to come out and play as well as we did today was great. It took us a little while to get going, but I thought we played really good. I’m really, really proud of the way the guys played today.”
Quick Hits
– Following solo homer from the Patriots in the top of the second, RBI doubles from David Vazquez and Jonny Butler gave the Wolfpack a 2-1 advantage.
– George Mason leveled the tally in the third, but NC State answered with a big inning in the bottom half to take an 8-2 lead.
– Tyler McDonough ignited the rally with his second home run of the season, a two-run blast over the right field wall.
– Butler walked with the bases loaded before a two-run single from Will Wilson and Butler scored on an error, as the sixth run of the frame.
– The Wolfpack batted around in the sixth, as 14 NC State batters came to the plate for a season-high 10 runs in the inning.
– Wilson led off with a solo shot to left field, his fourth round-tripper of the season to tie with Evan Edwards for the team lead.
– After a fielder’s choice from Terrell Tatum to bring in a run and an RBI walk from Vazquez, J.T. Jarrett smashed a bases-clearing double to put the Wolfpack ahead, 14-2.
– Patrick Bailey drove in a run on a single to left field and a double from McDonough brought in the final two runs of the game for NC State.
Inside the Box Score
– Each player in the Wolfpack’s starting lineup reached base safely in the game.
– McDonough was 2-for-5 with four RBI and two runs, while Wilson was 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run.
– Butler turned in a 2-for-4 day at the plate with two RBI and two runs, Brad Debo added a pair of hits and three runs.
– NC State compiled a .474 batting average with runners in scoring position in the contest and hit .370 with runners on base.
On the Mound
– Five pitchers saw action in the game for the Wolfpack with Alec Barger getting the start.
– Nick Swiney relieved him and threw two innings with four strikeouts before handing the ball to Cotter.
– David Harrison took over for Cotter and pitched a hitless inning and Mathieu Gauthier closed out the game on the mound.
– NC State pitchers struck out 11 batters in the game and only walked two.
On Deck
NC State will return to action this weekend against the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles. Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 6:30 p.m., while Sunday’s series finale is slated for 1 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park.
#20 NC State will head down to Tallahassee tomorrow for a 3-game series against #7 FSU. Before they do, here’s a look at where NC State is projected to land in the 2024 NCAA Tournament as things currently stand.
Last week, both D1Baseball and Baseball America projected the Wolfpack to play as a #2 seed in the Greenville Regional (ECU), with the former projecting the Pirates to be a #6 seed, and the latter projecting them to be a #8 seed.
This week, D1Baseball has NC State as a #2 seed in the Lexington Regional, with Kentucky as a #5 seed. Baseball America still has the Wolfpack as a #2 seed in the Greenville Region, with the Pirates still sitting as a #8 seed.
D1Baseball
Baseball America
#20 NC State lost to UNC-Wilmington 4-5 this evening at home, losing their 5th straight midweek game. The Wolfpack were swept by the Seahawks this year, ironically losing 4-5 down in Wilmington on April 9th.
Freshman Ryan Marohn got the starting nod, and he was excellent, giving up 1 earned run in 5 innings pitched, striking out 7. It was arguably his best start since his collegiate debut against VCU in the opening series.
Sophomore Shane Van Dam was Mr. Reliable through much of the season, but he hasn’t had his best stuff as of late. This evening, he faced four batters, hitting 2, walking another, and surrendering a hit to the other. Van Dam failed to record an out, and gave up 3 earned runs. Heading into the UNC game back on April 18th, Van Dam had a 2.63 ERA. After the past 4 appearances, his ERA has shot up to 3.96.
Freshman Jacob Dudan settled things down, pitching 4 scoreless innings, giving up only 1 hit, while striking out 5.
Unfortunately, Sophomore Derrick Smith allowed the Seahawks to score a run in the Top of the 10th, which was enough for the opposing team to leave Raleigh with a win, with NC State failing to score a run in the final 5 frames.
Junior Jacob Cozart continues an insane power surge, hitting two more Home Runs tonight. Cozart has hit 7 Home Runs in the past 6 games.
*Scheduled tweet* pic.twitter.com/eHvyuGT6so
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 30, 2024
SCOREBOARD SHOT 🚀 pic.twitter.com/tMvY8imzgG
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 30, 2024
Cozart now has 14 Home Runs on the year. His previous career high was 11.
Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington also hit a Solo Home Run, his 11th bomb of the year.
Goodbye Baseball ✌️#Pack9 | @Garrettpenn14 pic.twitter.com/p0tySYt3aF
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 30, 2024
On Friday, the Wolfpack will head down to Tallahassee for a 3-game series against #7 Florida State.
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 (-)
WATCH: Andy Katz’s Offseason Convo with NC State’s Kevin Keatts
NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU
Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. will Take an Official Visit at NC State Next Week
Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State
NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll
NC State’s Current 2024 Football Scholarship Breakdown
NC State’s Mohamed Diarra Will Not Return to NC State for Final Season
NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24
Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is a Priority for NC State
NC State Football Recruiting Update
2024 NC State Commit Trey Parker Finishes 2nd in OTE Dunk Contest
VIDEO BREAKDOWN: Was BYU 3 point barrage unstoppable, or was NC State’s defense to blame? You decide.
VIDEO: Terquavion Smith GOES OFF in G-League Debut with 37 points & 8 Boards
NC State lands combo guard DJ Horne from the portal
