Josh Hogue’s HR Clinches a Series Victory for NC State Over UVA

NC State was trailing the entire game today against Virginia, until the final at-bat.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, with the Wolfpack trailing by 2 and the first two batters struck out, hope was waning. However, the next two batters rallied the home crowd. Redshirt Sophomore Catcher Drew Lanphere hit a single and Freshman Center Fielder Ty Head walked. Junior Outfielder Ryan Hogue, serving as the designated hitter today, stepped up to the plate. After a first-pitch strike, he watched three balls pass by. With a 3-1 count, Hogue smashed the ball over the left field fence for a walk-off, opposite-field home run, securing the win for the Pack.

Hogue now has 6 home runs, tied for the team lead, and boasts a .310 batting average.

Senior Shortstop Justin DeCriscio has hit home runs in back-to-back games, including a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st. Remarkably, DeCriscio, a graduate transfer from San Diego, has matched his previous three-season home run total of 6 in just 28 games with NC State.

Lanphere made the most of his pinch-hit opportunities. In the bottom of the 7th, he pinch-hit for 3rd Baseman Matt Heavner and hit a grand slam, cutting the Cavaliers’ lead to 2 runs.

Although UVA had more than double the hits compared to NC State (Cavaliers – 14, Wolfpack – 6), it’s the team with the most runs that wins.

Sophomore starter Ryan Marohn struggled, allowing 6 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings, with his ERA now at 4.57. He hasn’t won a game since March 9th.

Sophomore Reliever Anderson Nance gave up 2 runs in 2 innings, bringing his ERA to 3.94.

Sophomore Jacob Dudan, who pitched a scoreless 9th and picked up his second win of the season (2-1), has substantially lowered his ERA after allowing only 1 earned run over his last 8 appearances, spanning 9.1 innings with 18 strikeouts.

NC State has now won 6 of their 7 weekend series this year.

The Wolfpack will hit the road on Tuesday to play ECU at 6pm.