#13 NC State Comes From Behind to Win 7-2 in Crucial Game 1 Against Stanford

#13 NC State (33-16/17-9) secured a 7-2 come-from-behind victory over Stanford (25-24/9-19) in the first game of a three-game series tonight. The win was practically a must for the Wolfpack if they hope to capture their first ACC Regular Season Championship since 1986.

Heading into the bottom of the 5th inning, the Cardinal held a 2-0 lead, but the Wolfpack’s bats finally came to life. Junior 3rd Baseman Matt Heavner got things started with a sacrifice fly, bringing home Freshman 1st Baseman Brandon Novy, who started in place of the injured Chris McHugh. Senior Shortstop Justin DeCriscio brought in the next two runs with a two-run triple, scoring Junior Left Fielder Josh Hogue and Sophomore Designated Hitter Matt Ossenfort.

Sophomore starter Ryan Marohn picked up his 7th win of the season (7-3), allowing 2 earned runs over 5.1 innings while striking out 4.

NC State scored the rest of their runs in the bottom of the 7th via two home runs. Freshman Center Fielder Ty Head launched a three-run bomb, and Novy hit the first home run of his collegiate career.

Freshman Anderson Nance was the only Wolfpack pitcher needed out of the bullpen, earning the first save of his career by pitching 3.2 scoreless innings and striking out 2.

#4 UNC defeated #2 FSU 8-3 this evening, meaning if NC State wins the next two games, they will enter the ACC Tournament as the #1 seed.

The Wolfpack and the Cardinal will play Game 2 tomorrow night at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra in Raleigh.