NC State Baseball
#13 NC State Drops Series Opener at UNC, 5-3
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 13 NC State baseball dropped a tough one in the first of a top 15 series matchup with UNC-Chapel Hill, 5-3, on Thursday evening at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Tar Heels jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but the Pack erased its deficit in the third with three runs four hits. The score held for three innings, but a two-RBI triple in the seventh plated the go-ahead run and a leadoff homer in the eighth gave UNC-CH a two-run advantage.
The Wolfpack moves to 39-15 overall and 16-12 in ACC play, while the Heels improve to 38-15 on the season and 17-11 in conference action.
Quick Hits
-The Heels took a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to Aaron Sabato’s two-run homer to center field.
-NC State countered with three runs in the third to take a 3-2 lead. Will Wilson started a two-out rally with his single to right field, then back-to-back outfield singles by Evan Edwards and Patrick Bailey brought him home.
-Tyler McDonough’s RBI single up the middle knotted the game up at two, then a Tar Heel error gave the Pack the lead.
-In the seventh, Sabato drove in two runs with a triple to center field after a one-out error and fielder’s choice started the side. It was his fourth hit of the game for the cycle to give his team the lead back.
-Ike Freeman’s leadoff homer in the eighth gave the Heels a 5-3 lead.
Inside The Box Score
-Bailey, Jonny Butler and Wilson tallied two hits apiece, while Edwards and McDonough both singled in the contest.
-Nick Swiney (6-1) suffered his first loss of the season on the mound as he tossed 3.0 innings, yielding three earned runs on two hits.
On Deck
NC State will look to even the series with the Tar Heels Saturday at Boshamer Stadium. First pitch is 6 p.m., as there will be a live broadcast on the ACC Network Extra and a free audio stream on WKNC 88.1 FM.