NC State Wins Series but Falls in Finale, 3-5 at Pitt

NC State (17-7/4-2) ran out of steam in the final game of the series at Pitt (14-9/2-4) this weekend, falling 3-5 to the Panthers on the road this afternoon. The Wolfpack had won the first two games of the series, securing their fifth straight weekend series victory to start the 2025 season.

NC State only mustered four hits this afternoon, with freshman center fielder Ty Head hitting a double as the only extra-base hit. They were patient at the plate, drawing six walks, while striking out five times.

Sophomore Ryan Marohn didn’t have his best stuff today but was just one out away from logging his third quality start of the year, surrendering three earned runs in 5.2 innings. Marohn had six strikeouts and five walks, throwing 114 pitches. After back-to-back complete game shutouts, Marohn has given up seven earned runs over his past two starts, totaling eight innings.

Junior Andrew Shaffner entered the game in the bottom of the seventh with the score tied at 3-3 and was pulled before recording a single out. After allowing a double, a single from Pitt brought the run home. The next batter reached base due to an error by sophomore first baseman Chris McHugh, putting two runners on. The Panthers’ next batter hit another RBI single, giving the home team a two-run lead as they exited the seventh. Shaffner gave up two earned runs and picked up his first loss of the season (3-1).

Freshman Ty Head, junior right fielder Brayden Fraasman, sophomore second baseman Luke Nixon, and junior third baseman Matt Heavner were the only four NC State batters to record a hit.

On a positive note, sophomore Jacob Dudan pitched a scoreless inning, making it three straight appearances without giving up an earned run.

Due to a hard 4 p.m. drop-dead time on a travel day, the Wolfpack didn’t have a chance to come back in the top of the ninth.

NC State will host USC Upstate in a midweek game on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.