#1 NC State Baseball Runs Past N.C. A&T, 12-3

GREENSBORO, N.C. – No. 1 NC State baseball scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back en route to a 12-3 win against N.C. A&T Wednesday evening at First National Bank Field.

NC State scored double-digit runs for the 10th time this season, as the Wolfpack plated a run in six of its nine at-bats. NCSU also hit three home runs for the second consecutive game and third time this season.

The Pack moves to 25-1 on the year, leading the nation in wins and winning percentage. One night after shutting out South Carolina on their home field, a very strong N.C. A&T team falls to 15-10 on the year.

Redshirt freshman Cameron Cotter was stellar in relief of starter Nick Swiney, as he fired a career-long 5.1 innings with a career-best five strikeouts to earn his second career win on the mound. Aggies starter Jeremiah Foster was charged with the loss. 

Avent’s Additions

“That’s a very good N.C. A&T team and I thought we played very well,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “You can look at their record, how they played against UNC-Chapel Hill earlier this season losing by one-run and their shutout win at South Carolina last night.

“I think we got off to a good start with Patrick [Bailey’s] three-run homer in the first and then Will [Wilson] hits a three-run shot in the second, so they get down and after playing a game last night, it’s tough to come back.”

On Cameron Cotter’s performance…

“[Cameron] Cotter came in and did an unbelievable job. I’m so proud of him, he’s from this area and to come in and do that in his first extended outing was outstanding.”

Quick Hits

– NC State struck first in the contest, as sophomore Patrick Bailey launched a three-run homer over the right field wall following walks by Jonny Butler and Will Wilson.

– N.C. A&T answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Cotter took over on the mound and induced a fielder’s choice prior to a swinging strikeout to end the inning.

– The Wolfpack tacked on three more runs in the second thanks to another three-run blast, as Wilson launched his eighth of the year to tie Evan Edwards for the team lead.

– Edwards started a two-out rally in the fourth, as he singled through the left side, stole second and scored on a single to center field from Tyler McDonough to extend the NC State lead to 7-2.

– The Aggies got a run back in the fourth, but from there it was all Wolfpack as the squad tallied the game’s final five runs.

– Vojtech Mensik hit his second home run of his NC State career in the fifth, a solo homer to left field.

– Following a walk, Wilson doubled off the top of the wall in left center, narrowly missing his second homer of the game, as Butler raced around to score from first.

– Bailey drove him in with a single to center field, as the Wolfpack opened up a 10-3 lead.

– An RBI single from Mensik in the sixth plated the 11th run of the game and passed ball in the eighth made it a 12-3 game.

Inside the Box Score

– Mensik led the Wolfpack at the plate, as he turned in the first four-hit game of his NC State career and just the sixth of the season by a Pack batter.

– Wilson tallied his 12th multi-hit game of the season with a homer, double and four RBIs, while Bailey was 2-for-5 with a homer, single and also recorded four RBIs.

– Bailey and Edwards each reached base safely in the game to extend their reached base safely streak to 26 games, as they have done do in every game this season.

On the Mound

– Despite a tough start from Swiney, Cotter entered the game and settled things down for the Wolfpack.

– Pitching in front of friends and family, the Summerfield, N.C., native turned in the longest outing of his career. He retired eight in a row at one point in the game.

– David Harrison relived him and threw two hitless, shutout innings and retired all six batters he faced.

– Nolan Clenney pitched the ninth and retired the side in order, highlighted by a strikeout.

On Deck

NC State will return to action this weekend when the Virginia Cavaliers make their first trip to Raleigh since 2015. Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 6:30 p.m., while Sunday’s first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.