NC State Punches Ticket to a Super Regional with a 5-3 Win Over James Madison

#10 seed NC State punched their ticket to a Super Regional next weekend in Athens, Georgia, defeating James Madison 5-3 this evening.

Senior Logan Whitaker shined in his best performance of the season, giving up only 2 earned runs in 6 innings of work, striking out 6.

Freshman Jacob Dudan gave up 1 earned run in 2 innings pitched, striking out 4. Sophomore Derrick Smith picked up his 7th Save of the season, pitching a perfect 9th inning, striking out 2.

The Wolfpack could have put a lot more runs on the board than they did, leaving 16 on base, which was tied for the 2nd highest total of the season. Nonetheless, 5 runs was all that was needed.

In the Top of the 4th, NC State scored their first two runs when Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart and Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth both Walked with the bases loaded.

Senior Third Baseman Alec Makarewicz accounted for 2 of the RBI’s, hitting a solo Home Run in the Top of the 6th, and an RBI Double in the Top of the 8th.

TO THE MOON 🌙🚀 pic.twitter.com/wS9iVZUVhg

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) June 2, 2024

Bring ’em all the way around ➕1️⃣#Pack9 | @Alec_mak99 pic.twitter.com/36hZKa9UWy

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) June 3, 2024

A-Mak’s Home Run was his 20th of the season, giving him sole possession of 9th place in school history for bombs in a single season.

Then in the Top of the 9th, with the Wolfpack in need of an insurance run, Senior Outfielder Noah Soles hit a solo shot.

Like a good neighbor, @NoahSoles2 is there 💣 pic.twitter.com/BRooCQeE9I

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) June 3, 2024

NC State is back in the Super Regionals for the first time since 2021, and for the 6th time in school history (2003, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2024).

The Wolfpack will face #7 seed Georgia, who knocked off Georgia Tech in extra innings this evening to advance to the Super Regionals for the first time in 16 years.