NC State’s Offense Awakens, Toppling Duke 14-6 in Game 2

With a 14-6 victory over Duke this afternoon, NC State still has a chance to win their 6th straight weekend series to start the 2025 season.

The Wolfpack compiled a whopping 13 hits today, which is the most since March 14th, when they recorded 15 hits against the Hokies in an 11-1 win in Raleigh.

NC State never trailed in the contest.

After Duke jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning, the Wolfpack responded with 4 runs in the Top of the 2nd. Freshman Center Fielder Ty Head knocked in Sophomore Catcher Alex Sosa with a single, followed by an RBI single from Junior Right Fielder Brayden Fraasman, that brought home Sosa. Junior 3rd baseman Matt Heavner grounded out, but Head scurried across home plate. Finally, Sophomore 2nd Baseman Luke Nixon’s single allowed Fraasman to score.

In the Top of the 5th, Sophomore 1st Baseman Chris McHugh reached first base on a fielder’s choice, which was enough for Fraasman to score, giving the Wolfpack a 5-3 lead. The Wolfpack would go on to score the next 9 runs.

Sophomore Designated Hitter Ryan Jaros capitalized on his opportunity, hitting a 2-run home run in the Top of the 6th, giving the Pack a 7-5 lead.

Sophomore Luke Nixon hit a solo home run in the Top of the 7th.

Jaros would strike again in the Top of the 8th, hitting an RBI double, bringing home Senior Shortstop Justin Descriscio. Fraasman followed that up with an RBI single, knocking in Jaros and Sosa.

Heavner grounded out, but it was enough for Freshman Center Fielder Ty Head to run across home plate.

In the Top of the 9th, the Wolfpack hit 2 home runs, giving the Wolfpack a 9-run lead, with Descriscio and Sosa hitting solo home runs.

Sophomore Heath Andrews was vulnerable this afternoon, giving up 5 earned runs in 4 innings. His K/BB ratio wasn’t appealing, striking out 4 batters and walking 4.

NC State’s pitching MVP was Freshman Reliever Anderson Nance, who picked up his 4th win of the season, pitching a career-high 89 pitches in 5 innings, giving up 1 earned run, striking out 5. Nance is now tied with Junior Starter Dominic Fritton for the team lead in wins.

In a game when the Wolfpack’s starter wasn’t dominant, it needed its offense to wake up, and wake up they did. After recording under 10 hits in the past 5 games, NC State’s 13 hits were the most since March 18th, when they collected 13 hits against Davidson in a midweek game.

NC State has won their first 5 weekend series of the 2025 season, and with a win tomorrow against the Blue Devils, they will make it 6 straight.

Click here to see the Box Score.