#16 NC State Defeats #4 UNC 8-5 in Game 2 in Chapel Hill

#16 NC State (32-16/16-9) bounced back this evening, defeating #4 UNC (37-11/16-10) 8-5 in Game 2 of a three-game series, snapping a three-game ACC losing streak.

Junior Dominic Fritton was outstanding for the Pack, though he didn’t factor into the decision. Fritton notched a quality start, giving up two earned runs in 6.1 innings while striking out seven. After allowing four or more runs in five of his last six starts, tonight’s performance from Fritton was a breath of fresh air.

Senior shortstop Justin DeCriscio got things started for NC State in the top of the first with a sac fly that brought home sophomore second baseman Luke Nixon.

Four innings later, the Wolfpack would add three runs to their lead. Sophomore first baseman Chris McHugh knocked in junior third baseman Matt Heavner, junior outfielder Josh Hogue’s single brought Nixon home, and McHugh scored off a double from sophomore catcher Alex Sosa.

Fritton’s scoreless outing was disrupted by a two-run Tar Heel home run with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman sensation Anderson Nance was summoned from the bullpen, and UNC’s next batter hit the ball over the fence, cutting the Wolfpack’s lead to 4-3.

Heavner increased the Pack’s lead to two runs in the top of the eighth with an RBI single that brought freshman center fielder Ty Head across the plate.

Uncharacteristically, Nance gave up two more runs in the bottom of the eighth on two RBI singles, allowing UNC to tie the game. Prior to tonight’s contest, Nance hadn’t surrendered an earned run in 14 straight innings. Nonetheless, he picked up a strange win, giving up three earned runs in 1.2 innings. Nance’s eight wins lead the team, despite only starting one game this season.

NC State’s batters were clutch in the top of the ninth, putting three runs on the scoreboard. Hogue picked up his team-high second RBI of the evening with an RBI single that allowed McHugh to score. Junior outfielder Brayden Fraasman’s sac fly brought home pinch runner Jet Gilliam for the second run of the inning. Sophomore designated hitter Matt Ossenfort brought DeCriscio home with a single, giving the Wolfpack a three-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The three-run lead held, with junior Andrew Shaffner picking up his team-high seventh save of the season, holding the Tar Heels to zero hits and zero runs in the final frame.

The rubber match between NC State and UNC will be on Sunday at 1 PM on ACC Network.