NC State Crushes Virginia Tech 19-9 in Their Opening Game of 2024 ACC Tournament

#3 seed NC State’s bats were simmering in their opening game of the 2024 ACC Tournament, defeating #10 seed Virginia Tech 19-9, with the game ending at the end of the 8th inning due to a mercy rule. The 19 runs are the most runs scored this season by the Pack, and the most in school history in the ACC Tournament.

Freshman Ryan Marohn, the Pack’s regular midweek starter, got the nod, and he was excellent, giving up 1 earned run in 4 innings pitched, striking out 4. With Marohn pitching in the first game, NC State will be able to roll out their starting 3 all the way to the Championship game if need be. Also, Jaxon Lucas, P.J. Labriola and Hollis Fanning came out of the bullpen, preserving the arms of the Wolfpack’s primary relief arms.

NC State recorded 20 hits in the contest, and also walked 9 times. Senior 3rd Team All-ACC 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington and Senior 2nd Team All-ACC 3rd Baseman Alec Makerwicz both finished with 4 hits in the contest. Pennington was 4 for 5 with 4 Runs and 2 RBI’s, with an absurd 3 Doubles. A-Mak was 4 for 4 with 4 Runs and 4 RBI’s, as well as a Double and 2 Walks.

21 doubles for Penny 👊 pic.twitter.com/njktAEKhrN

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 22, 2024

Keeping the hit parade rolling ➕2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/vRnr4xE0uF

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 22, 2024

#99 makes it 9 🔥#Pack9 | @Alec_mak99 pic.twitter.com/FwnJhBBenN

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 23, 2024

Trio of doubles for a new career-high ✅
Now tied for eighth in NC State history with 23 doubles in a single season ✅#Pack9 | @Garrettpenn14 pic.twitter.com/uEnY7mD9rB

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 23, 2024

Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth and Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III both had 3 hits in the contest. Butterworth was 3 for 5, with 2 Runs and 2 RBI’s, hitting a Home Run in the Top of the 8th. Serrano III was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI’s and 4 Runs, hitting a Home Run as well.

And with that T̶o̶u̶c̶h̶d̶o̶w̶n̶ Home Run the Pack takes a 14-7 lead 💪#Pack9 | @SlippinOnButter pic.twitter.com/w0QCn1BE8P

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 23, 2024

Another crooked number for the #Pack9, courtesy of @eliserrano__ 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ulin781NSF

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 23, 2024

Freshman Alex Sosa led the squad with 5 RBI’s, going 2 for 4, with a Home Run, 2 Walks and 2 Runs.

Blink and you’ll miss it 🚀#Pack9 | @ASOS131 pic.twitter.com/PLRv22Ad2n

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 23, 2024

🔟🔟🔟 pic.twitter.com/6WenSO3Xvi

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 23, 2024

Junior 1st Team All-ACC Catcher Jacob Cozart was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI’s, 1 Run and 1 Walk.

NC State will play #6 seed Duke tomorrow night at 7pm on ACC Network. Technically, the Wolfpack could have lost this evening, and still advanced to the semifinals. After the Blue Devils defeated the Hokies 11-8 in their first game last night, all the Wolfpack need to do to advance to the semifinals is defeat Duke tomorrow night.