#1 NC State Holds Off Boston College, 6-5

BRIGHTON, Mass. – Despite the Eagles knotting the score at three in the eighth, top-ranked NC State baseball managed to once again find a way to win late as it held off Boston College on Friday evening in its series opener at Harrington Athletics Village in Brighton, Mass., 6-5.

The Wolfpack continues to lead the nation and Atlantic Coast Conference in wins, as it improves to 28-3 on the season and 11-2 in ACC play. The Eagles move to 14-16 overall and 5-8 in conference action. 

Additionally, the squad remains unbeaten on the road, improving to 9-0 in true away games.

Quick Hits

-NC State struck first in the second inning thanks to David Vazquez’s RBI single to right that drove in Brad Debo after he laced a one-out single to right field and advanced on a wild pitch.

-The Pack doubled its lead in the next inning on Evan Edwards’ bases-loaded groundout to second.

-In the seventh, pinch runner Dillon Cooperprovided a third run for the Pack when he scored on Jonny Butler’s RBI double down the right field line. Cooper replaced Devonte Brown on the base path after a leadoff single, and Vojtech Mensik’s sacrifice bunt moved him into scoring position.

-BC countered with a pair of runs in the bottom frame on an RBI single and bases-loaded sac fly to center field.

-The Eagles knotted the score at three in the eighth with Ramon Jimenez’s two-out RBI triple to right field following Cody Morissette’s one-out double down the right field line. 

-NC State responded in the ninth with three runs on as many hits. Vazquez walked and Cooper bunt singled to start the three-run burst, and Mensik plated Vazquez with a double up the middle.

-Jonny Butler was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Patrick Bailey’s base hit to center field followed by an RBI groundout by Edwards to the shortstop brought the insurance runs across. 

-The Eagles managed to load the bases up in the bottom frame with one out and the go-ahead run at the plate. The Wolfpack tried to get the force out at home, but a muffed throw allowed the runner to be safe, making the score 6-4.

-With the bases still loaded, an RBI fielder’s choice cut BC’s deficit to one, but the runner heading to third was caught in a rundown for the game-ending double play. 

Inside The Box Score

-The team tallied 11 hits in the contest, led by Butler (single, double) and Bailey, who both went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run apiece.

-Bailey and Edwards extended their reached base streaks to 31 consecutive games.

-Edwards also extended his hit streak to 12 straight games. 

On The Mound

-NC State used eight pitchers in the contest, led by starter Jason Parker who went 6.1 innings. He allowed five hits, walked one batter and surrendered an earned run.

-Evan Justice picked up his second win of the season, while Canaan Silver tallied his first save of the year as he came into the bases-loaded situation and threw the final two-thirds of the game.

On Deck

NC State returns to action Saturday when it looks to take the series with the Eagles. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Harrington Athletics Village.