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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Sweeps BC, Looks to Build Tournament Resume

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No….State is not in the NCAAT field right now. But that doesn’t mean that over the last three weeks, they haven’t at least shown they are capable of making a run.

The Wolfpack have now won 10 out of their last 12, with crucial wins against ranked teams (UNC) and Atlantic foes (BC). More importantly, WE CURRENTLY HAVE A WINNING RECORD at 14-11.

 

State Sweeps BC

What’s State’s winning formula?

Have starting pitchers max out innings and the bats come alive…great strategy, no? State beat Boston College, 20-5, 5-4 and 7-0 behind six doubles, three triple and three home runs. State averaged 11 hits per game, while holding BC to just 5 per.

Offensively, the Wolfpack were lead by the resurgence of Devonte Brown (6 RBIs), always steady Luca Tresh (6 RBIs) and newcomer Jose Torres (5 RBIs). The consistency of quality at-bats stood out, as the team is seeing the ball better with improved patience.

The pitching for State continues to roll on. Over the course of the series, the bullpen was only needed for 4.1 innings, as Matt Willadsen went the distance in Game 3. Willadsen, for his efforts, was named ACC Pitcher of the Week. The biggest difference for State over the last three weeks, is the battery of Johnston (3-1), Highfill (2-2) and Willadsen (3-0) have gone well into games, with multiple quality starts.

 

Where State Sits Now

Coming into the weekend, Baseball America projected that Virginia would be on the bubble, and interestingly enough, they are comparable to State in a lot of ways.

Virginia: 16-15  |   RPI 71   |  SOS 35
State: 14-11  |   RPI 74   |  SOS 24

Virginia does have a few more Q1+Q2 wins, but State will have an upcoming schedule that could change that. Through the end of the month, the Wolfpack will have series against ND and VT (both Tourney teams and potential hosts) and Wake Forest. While this recent streak has bought them time, failure to not get a single series win will end their season, outside of a miraculous ACCT run. However, series wins against ND and/or VT, in particular, would further improve RPI and at least get them into bubble discussions.

It has become abundantly clear, that the loss of early non-conference opponents has hurt State. Not only from the standpoint of getting wins, but more so finding their groove. No doubt, in a normal season, they wouldn’t have had 9 games against ranked opponents in their first 17.

The steadying of the ship is credit to Avent and staff, a strong effort by starters and the easing up a bit by opponents’ strength. Being realistic, State shouldn’t be worried about seeding as they just need to find a way in. Unless they winn out, or come close, the best they could do is 4th in any given region. But hey, with State’s starters turning it around, we’d take a bid and a chance to steal a couple games, regardless of seed.

 

 

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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