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NC State Baseball’s Wild Week of Upsets, Rain and Arrests

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In a three-day span for Pack Baseball;

  • -Two players were arrested.
  • -A monstrous 9-2 win against rival, and #11 ranked, UNC.
  • -Took another lead into the 8th, before rain.
  • -More rain and rain and rain.

 

Big Win and then Waiting

This weekend’s games against ranked UNC, were more than important for State baseball. Not only were they looking for their second series win of the season (first was the two-game sweep against Davidson to start the year), but they were wandering further and further into the depths of the Atlantic conference standings.

Prior to Friday’s game, State was 1-8 in the ACC, trailing Louisville (8-3) and Notre Dame (10-4) by a substantial margin. Then they got things going.

Reid Johnston moved to 2-0 on the year, with a complete game, 7 hit, 2 ER, 4 strikeout game. If there were any questions who should be State’s Game 1 pitcher each weekend, we found our answer. McDonough and Mensik went yard, for Mensik his first.

Then in Game two, State kept it rolling. Wolfpack jumped out to a 6-1 lead behind bombs from Murr and Tatum. The game was eventual halted heading into the bottom of the eighth.

With, assuming (knock on wood), a win in the early game Monday, State could go for the sweep and officially creep out of the Atlantic basement.

 

Arrests

In an incident that happened Wednesday night, but reports coming out Friday, State pitchers Kent Klyman and David Harrison were arrested on a multitude of charges. Before going any further it should be stated, details still need to come out and legal processes to follow.

According to reports, Harrison and Klyman broke into a hall in Wolf Village and upon entering, attacked an individual. The two are charged with breaking and entering, with additional assault and battery charges.

Kent Klyman, coming into the season, was the backend hammer, only 16 saves away from being State’s all-time leader. This season, in more ways than one, hasn’t gone as planned. Through his State career, Klyman has kept sub-3 ERA. This year, however, he’s gone 1-2 and in six games given up 8 earned runs, while going just about even in walks (7) versus strikeouts (8).

Junior David Harrison had a decent start to the season, seeing action in just four games with a 3.42 ERA.

Both players, for the time being, have been suspended from the team and removed from the roster.

 

Where Does State Go Now?

Aside from legal implications, State baseball actually has a prime opportunity to salvage their season. If they can get two wins (and fingers crossed a sweep), the schedule becomes much easier. A home series against Clemson, on the road to Boston College and sporadic games against UNCG, App State and NC A&T over the next two weeks. If they can get consistent pitching and bats stay hot, maybe able to take 7 of 9 during that stretch, including big ACC games.

Outside of Notre Dame and Florida State series, State’s remaining schedule is predominately middle of the pack teams. By no means will they be able to get a top-2 seed for tournament play, they can definitely find themselves in a better position come May.

Weather the storm, get some wins (GTHC) and let’s see what happens.

Passionate State fan that just wants to win...something...like anything...

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NC State Baseball

NC State is Back in the Top-25 After Three Top-25 Wins Last Week

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After 3 Top-25 wins last week (1 over Coastal Carolina & 2 over Duke), NC State’s Baseball team is back in the Top-25 in 4 of the 5 polls. Last week was the only week that the Wolfpack hasn’t been ranked all season, after losing 1 game to UNCG, and losing all 3 at Georgia Tech.

USAToday Coaches Poll – #22

D1Baseball – #22

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Baseball America – #25

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NCBWA – #25

 

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NC State Baseball

NC State Loses Series Finale 2-13, but Wins Series vs. #9 Duke

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NC State lost the series finale 2-13 yesterday, but won the series against #9 Duke.

Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz was the sole source of offense, knocking in both runs on two solo Home Runs. A-Mak now has 10 Home Runs on the year. Makarewicw’s batting average is .359, and his OPS is 1.226.

Sophomore Dominic Fritton’s struggles continue, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 innings, striking out 5. His ERA on the season is 8.37, with a 1-2 record.

Fritton isn’t the only pitcher that struggled.

Senior Hollis Fanning gave up 5 runs in 2.1 innings in relief. His ERA in the year is 7.30.

Junior Carson Kelly gave up three runs in 0.2 innings pitched. His ERA is 27.00 in 2 appearances.

Despite losing in this way in the finale, NC State had a heck of a week, beating #13 Coastal Carolina in a midweek game, and taking 2 of 3 against #9 Duke.

The Wolfpack will look to get revenge tomorrow night at 6pm against UNCG. Two weeks ago, they lost to the Spartans 3-18 in a midweek game.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Secures Series Win Against #9 Duke With a 9-8 Walk-Off Victory Over #9 Duke

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After pulling off heroics in the 8th inning last night, NC State decided to make it even more exciting last night, shifting their heroics to the bottom of the 9th.

With #9 Duke leading 8-3 in the Bottom of the 9th inning, the Wolfpack would need a miracle, and sometimes you get exactly what you need.

Sometimes a miracle starts with a little bit of luck. With 1 out, Sophomore Josh Hogue grounded into a fielders choice, where as a result of an error, he ended up at 2nd, Senior Noah Outfielder Soles ended up at 3rd and Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth ended running across home plate.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington would then hit a 3-run Home Run, cutting Duke’s lead to 2.

With 2 outs left, Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III hit a 2-run walk-off bomb, giving NC State a 9-8 series clinching win over #9 Duke.

Senior Starting Pitcher Logan Whitaker wasn’t great, but he wasn’t terrible either. He gave up 4 earned runs in 4 innings pitched.

Junior Win Scott pitched in relief for the first time since February 28th, giving up 2 earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched.

Freshman Heath Andrews was up next, pitching for the first time since March 10th, giving up 2 earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.

Sophomore Derrick Smith picked up his first Win of the season, pitching a scoreless 8th inning.

Pennington, Serrano III and Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart all had 2 hits apiece.

Pennington had 2 Home Runs and 4 RBI’s, giving him 5 on the year.

Serranno III and Soles each had 2 RBI’s apiece, both coming off of Home Runs.

After falling out of the Top-25 on Monday, NC State has won 3 straight games against Top-15 opponents, and they will look to make that 4 straight tomorrow as the Wolfpack and Blue Devils close out the series at 1pm.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Wins Series Opener Against #9 Duke Behind a Solid Highfill Performance

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NC State is rebounding in a major way this week. After losing all 4 games last week (Midweek vs. UNCG & swept at GT), the Wolfpack defeated #13 Coastal Carolina in a midweek game, and defeated #9 Duke 4-3 in the series opener tonight at home.

The Wolfpack were carried by a solid outing by starter Sam Highfill, who gave up 3 runs over 7 innings, while striking out 8. Highfill is now 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA.

Freshman Jacob Dudan continues to impress, picking up the Save, throwing 2 scoreless innings. Dudan now has 3 Saves on the year, and is rocking a 2.70 ERA.

With the game tied 3-3, Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 7th, knocking in Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz.

The other 3 RBI’s weren’t exciting in nature, with Sophomore Left Fielder and Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington bringing in Runs on groundouts, and Freshman 2nd Baseman ushering in a Run with a Walk with the bases loaded.

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