NC State Baseball
Johnston’s Complete Game Shutout Lifts #1 NC State to 3-0 Win Over UVA
RALEIGH, N.C. – Sophomore Reid Johnston struck out the side in the top of the first and that provided him all the momentum he needed to accomplish something that he had never done, throwing a complete game shutout to lift No. 1 NC State to a 3-0 win against Virginia Friday night at Doak Field at Dail Park.
Johnston’s shutout is just the second of the season by an ACC pitcher and is the first for the Wolfpack since Carlos Rodón accomplished the feat against William & Mary on June 1, 2013.
“I thought it was a great college baseball game with two great pitchers going at it,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “Their guy was very, very good and it’s been a series of pitching so far. Two good teams and both playing good defense.
“Reid [Johnston] was the story of the game. He threw just over 100 pitches, only walked one and just threw strikes. He commanded the strike zone and used his changeup very effectively. He was very, very good.”
NC State (26-2, 9-2 ACC) evens the series with Virginia (16-11, 6-5 ACC), as the teams will square off in the rubber game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
In a well-pitched game from both teams that featured only three combined walks, it was Johnston that stole the show with the longest outing of his career, surpassing his previous high of 6.2 innings. He also matched his career-best in strikeouts with seven.
“I had so much adrenaline in the ninth inning that I could hardly control myself,” said Johnston. “I was trying to take it pitch-by-pitch and not get too hyped up. I try to lock in and visualize what I need to do and that helped.
“I always try to pound the strike zone and if they hit it, they hit it.”
The Wolfpack grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second after an RBI double to right center off the bat of David Vazquez, which allowed freshman Tyler McDonough to score from first.
NC State added to its advantage in the fifth when sophomore Jonny Butler launched the first home run of his Wolfpack career, a two-run blast over the right field wall. Vazquez walked prior to his at-bat and scored to make it a 3-0 lead.
With the way Johnston pitched, three runs were more than enough for the Pack to secure the win. Patrick Bailey doubled in the game and Evan Edwards singled, as both extended their reached base safely streaks to 28 games – having reached in every game this season.
NC State just defeated #11 UNC 9-8 via a walk-off Home Run from Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth in the Bottom of the 9th inning.
The Wolfpack have 6 walk-off wins in 2024, which leads the nation.
In a game in which there was a combined 8 Home Runs between both teams, it was the last one that mattered most.
UNC kicked things off in the Top of the 1st inning with a Home Run from Casey Cook. The Wolfpack would respond in the Bottom of the 1st with a 2-RBI Single from Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart.
Two-out damage from ‘Zart 💥 pic.twitter.com/cSn7vKoZBh
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 18, 2024
Cook would hit another Home Run in the Top of the 3rd, and Vance Honeycutt would also hit a 2-Run Home Run, giving the Tar Heels a 4-2 lead.
Once again, the Wolfpack responded in the bottom frame. Senior Third Baseman Alec Makarewicz hit his 15th Home Run of the season.
Ideal start to the home half of the third 💣#Pack9 | @Alec_mak99 pic.twitter.com/BrLSstM3D2
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 19, 2024
Junior Outfielder Chase Nixon had an RBI Single, and his Freshman brother Luke (2B) brought in the third run of the inning on a fielders choice, giving the Wolfpack a 5-4 lead.
Tie game! C-Nix delivers 😤 pic.twitter.com/aafYlvOhUh
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 19, 2024
The 4th inning was the only inning of the contest in which no runs were scored.
UNC’s Park Harber tied the game in the Top of the 5th with a solo shot.
Cozart was the Wolfpack’s MVP, giving his team a 3-run cushion in the bottom of the 6th inning with a 3-run Home Run. He had 5 RBI’s this evening.
TO THE MOON 📈🚀 pic.twitter.com/8g8pPUFJAN
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 19, 2024
The cushion wasn’t enough, with the Tar Heels scoring 3 runs over the next two innings. Alberto Osuna hit a solo shot, Alex Madera had an RBI Single, and Harber hit a sac fly.
With the game tied in the bottom of the 9th, with one out, Brandon Butterworth crushed the ball over the left field fence, snapping a 5-game losing streak against UNC.
CALLED. GAME.#Pack9 | @SlippinOnButter pic.twitter.com/6B15Jxkndr
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 19, 2024
Wolfpack Starter Sam Highfill lasted 3.1 innings, giving up 4 runs, while striking out 4. His ERA on the year is 5.16.
It was Sophomore Shane Van Dam that brought stability to the mound, pitching 3.2 innings, giving up 2 earned runs, while striking out 5. On the year, Van Dam’s ERA is 2.90.
Sophomore Derrick Smith came in to close things out, and gave up 1 run on 1 hit in 2 innings, striking out 2. Smith picked up the Win, and is 3-0 on the year.
Game 2 of the series is tomorrow night at 6pm at Doak Field. The Wolfpack will look to secure their first series victory over their rival since 2021, and their first one at home since 2016.
NC State and #11 UNC will kickoff a 3-game series in Raleigh tonight, but before the two rivals hit the diamond, here’s a Bracketology report for the Wolfpack before the first pitch.
D1Baseball currently projects that NC State will be the #2 seed in Greenville Region, hosted by #9 seed East Carolina. Back on April 2nd, the Wolfpack lost 4-12 to the Pirates at the Doak.
Baseball America projects NC State will be a #2 seed in the Knoxville Region, hosted by #6 seed Tennessee.
The Wolfpack are currently 20-14 overall, ranking 33rd in the RPI.
Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is a Priority for NC State
3-Star 2025 CB Jayden Shipps has Locked In His Official Visit to NC State
Former NC State G Terquavion Smith Earns a Spot on the 2023-23 NBA G-League All-Rookie Team
NC State’s Casey Morsell is the 4th Player in NCAA History to Start 41 Games in a Season
WATCH All 9 of NC State’s RBI’s From Their 9-8 Walk-Off Win Over #11 UNC
Players in the Transfer Portal that Have Heard from NC State
Rothstein’s Way-Too-Early 2024-25 Preseason Top-25
Looking to Next Year: 4-Star SF Paul McNeil Jr. Will Make an Instant Impact
NC State’s Mohamed Diarra Has Professional Options in France
Indiana State Transfer Shooting Guard Ryan Conwell Set to Visit NC State
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
