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#2 NC State Walks Off Against #1 Florida State to Clinch Series, Stay Unbeaten

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5 years ago

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RALEIGH, N.C. – With two outs in the bottom of the ninth on a 2-2 pitch, freshman Tyler McDonough singled up the middle to lift second-ranked NC State to a 9-8 walkoff win against No. 1 Florida State Saturday night at Doak Field at Dail Park.

With the win, the Wolfpack clinched the series and remains unbeaten on the year with a 19-0 record. At 5-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, NC State is the only team without a loss in league action.

NC State’s 19 wins to open the season ties the program record for most consecutive wins in a single season, set by the 1990 squad. The Pack picked up its third walkoff victory of the season and moved to 9-0 in games decided by one run.

Trailing 8-5 heading to the bottom of the eighth, the Wolfpack tied the game thanks to a three-run homer over the left field wall by Brad Debo. The junior clubbed an 0-1 pitch for his second round-tripper of the season to help NC State rally from the deficit and give the team momentum.

Devonte Brown led off the ninth with a great at-bat, as he walked on a 3-1 pitch and Will Wilson followed with a walk. After a wild pitch to move the runners over to third and second, respectively, McDonough tallied the first walkoff hit of his young career with a single up the middle.

Redshirt sophomore Dalton Feeney pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to earn his first win since April 29, 2017. FSU’s Conor Grady was charged with the loss and fell to 2-1 on the year.

Avent’s Additions

“That was a great comeback win,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “You’re sitting there knowing it’s going to be a close game with how good Florida State is and you know you can’t give away any runs. After [Mike] Salvatore hit that home run, you go wow, and then this team takes over.

“The resiliency and belief of this team is incredible. It was kind of the same mindset that we had going into the eighth inning at Charlotte. They wanted to get this thing going and they did. [Tyler] McDonough battled and battled and came through with a big time at-bat against a quality pitcher.”

Quick Hits

– After being shutout and held without an extra-base hit in Friday’s game, Florida State ended both of those droughts on one swing of the bat as Drew Mendoza hit a two-run homer in the top of the first to grab a 2-0 lead.

– The Seminoles extended the advantage to 4-0 in the second after an RBI triple from Mike Salvatore and a single from Reese Albert.

– NC State answered in the bottom of inning to knot the score at 4-4, the 13th time this season the Wolfpack has tallied a ‘big’ inning with four or more runs in the frame.

– Terrell Tatum singled to left field to drive in a pair of runs, as Edwards walked, and McDonough doubled earlier in the inning to score on the play.

– David Vazquez stepped to the plate next and launched his first homer of the season and second of his career to tie the ballgame at four.

– A single from Wilson started the third for the Wolfpack and he scored later in the inning on an RBI single from McDonough, as NC State took a 5-4 lead.

Inside the Box Score

– McDonough tallied his team-leading 11th multi-hit game, as he was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs.

– Bailey and Edwards both extended their reached base safely streak to 19 games.

– The Wolfpack compiled a .500 clip at the plate with runners in scoring position.

On Deck

NC State and Florida State will wrap-up the series on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park.

(Photo Credit: Karl DeBlaker)

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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU

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23 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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#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.

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Baseball America

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NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Loses 4-5 to UNCW, Losing 5th Straight Midweek Game

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2 days ago

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April 30, 2024

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#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.

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.

On Friday, the Wolfpack will head down to Tallahassee for a 3-game series against #7 Florida State.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Outfielder Josh Hogue Out for Remainder of the Season

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4 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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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.

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.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Jumps Up in Top-25 Rankings After Ball St. Sweep

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4 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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

Baseball America – 13th (+4)

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RPI – 20th (+9)

D1Baseball – 20th (+1)

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USAToday Coaches Poll – 20th (+3)

Perfect Game – 25th (-)

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