The Wolfpack suffers its first series sweep since April 27-29, 2018, to UNC-Chapel Hill, and falls to 29-8 (12-6 ACC) while the Cardinals improve to 28-8 (13-5 ACC) on the season.
Quick Hits
-After two scoreless innings, the Cards struck in the third on Jake Snider’s sac fly to deep right field. Justin Lavey started the inning with a bunt single, and a stolen base and error allowed him to threaten.
-Louisville doubled its lead in the next inning on Henry Davis’s RBI groundout to first after a one-out single and double off the left field wall put runners in scoring position.
-Davis drove in his second run of the game in the sixth, as Alex Binelas scored on his single to right field after he hit a two-out double off the left field wall.
-In the seventh, Tyler Fitzgerald launched a two-out solo shot over the left field wall to give his team a 4-0 advantage.
-NC State got on the board in the seventh, plating a pair of runs on an RBI single and sac fly. Pinch hitter Terrell Tatum and Jonny Butler walked and singled, respectively, and Will Wilson’s groundout to the first baseman started the threat.
-Edwards knocked in Tatum with a base hit through the right side, and Butler beat the tag at home on Patrick Bailey’s fly out to center field to cut the Pack’s deficit in half.
-Louisville regained its four-run lead in the eighth with Lucas Dunn’s two-run single through the right side, as a one-out walk and pair of errors loaded the bases for him.
-NC State tried to rally in the ninth behind Wilson’s one-out solo shot to left field, but fell short.
Inside The Box Score
-Edwards led the team with a 2-for-4 performance, while Butler, Wilson and Marek Chlup each tallied a hit in the game.
-Wilson’s home run was his team-leading 12th of the year.
-Five different pitchers contributed to the contest, led by starter Canaan Silver who gave up two earned runs in 5.2 innings of work.
On Deck
NC State will begin at four-game road swing Tuesday evening at UNCW. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Brooks Field, and the game will be streamed on the Seahawk Digital Network.
VCU 1st Baseman Chris McHugh is transferring to NC State!
I would like to thank VCU for a great freshman year and the relationships and memories built. I’m excited to announce that I have committed to NC State to further my academic and athletic career. I’d like to thank Coach Avent and his staff for this opportunity. @NCStateBaseballpic.twitter.com/w3WzP2oLPP
McHugh just wrapped up his Freshman season for the Rams, batting .273, with 6 Home Runs, 33 RBI’s, 36 Runs, 22 BB’s, 5 Doubles and 4 Stolen Bases. He boasted an OBP of .390. McHugh started in 53 of the 55 games he played in.
Coming out of High School, McHugh was the #47 overall player in the state of New York, and the #10 Shortstop according to Perfect Game.
McHugh has 3 years of eligibility remaining.
NC State has now picked up 5 players in the Transfer Portal this offseason.
All but 1 of NC State’s 2024 MLB Draft Picks and Undrafted Free Agents have signed with their respective teams.
Center Fielder Eli Serrano III was drafted in the 4th round with the 111th overall pick by the New York Mets. He signed for $697,500, which was $41,400 more than the slot value for the pick. Serrano III had 2 more years of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.
The #Mets signed 4th rounder Eli Serrano for $697,500. Slot value for the 111th pick is $656,400.
Shortstop Brandon Butterworth has signed with the Padres, who drafted him the 12th round with the 360th overall pick. Butterworth had one more year of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.
An event that majority of people told me was nearly impossible. Here’s to the end of an era and a start to a new adventure. Time to get to work. pic.twitter.com/HdOsDmU6vB
Shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald, who was going to be an incoming Freshman in 2025, was drafted by the Rangers in the 5th Round. He signed his deal, with a signing bonus worth $900,000.
#Ranger signing bonuses, per source:
1 Malcolm Moore $3 million
2 Dylan Dreiling $1,287,600
3 Casey Cook $700K
4 David Hagaman $515K
5 Devin Fitz-Gerald $900K
6 Garrett Horn $250K
7 Rafe Perich $175K
8 Anthony Susac $200K
9 Keith Jones II $30K
10 Jake Jekielek $20K
Catcher Jacob Cozart was drafted by the Guardians in the 2nd Round with the 48th overall pick. He has yet to sign his deal. The slot value for his deal is $1.94 million. Cozart has 1 year of college eligibility remaining, but there’s no expectation that he will be returning next season for the Wolfpack.
Baseball America has released their Way-Too-Early 2025 Preseason Top-25, and they ranked NC State 13th.
13. NC State (38-23, 18-11)
The Wolfpack rolled through the second half of the 2024 season to reach the CWS for the second time in four years. They now must replace several key pieces of that team, including All-Americans Jacob Cozart and Alec Makarewicz. That duo is just part of six regulars that were lost from the lineup.
While NC State is reloading offensively, it brings back a good bit of its pitching staff. The dynamic relief combination of Jacob Dudan and Derrick Smith is back, as are lefthanders Dominic Fritton and Cooper Consiglio. NC State never lacks for offense and as long as its newcomers click, it should be well positioned for 2025. (BA)
ACC Teams in the Top-25
3) FSU
4) Clemson
6) UVA
9) Duke
12) UNC 13) NC State
25) Wake Forest
DeCriscio played his first 3 seasons at San Diego, and will play his final year of eligibility with the Wolfpack.
This past year, DeCriscio hit .308 for the Toreros, with 42 RBI’s, 36 Runs and 10 Stolen Bases. He earned All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention the past three seasons.