#13 NC State Couldn’t Hold On, Falling to Stanford 4-3 in the 10th Inning of Game 2

#13 NC State entered tonight’s game against Stanford in the driver’s seat. If they swept the Cardinal, they were guaranteed the 2025 ACC Regular Season Championship. They controlled their own destiny.

After falling 4-3 to Stanford in the 10th inning this evening, the Wolfpack can still win their first Conference Regular Season Championship since 1986, but they no longer hold all the cards.

NC State was up 2-0 heading into the 6th inning. Sophomore Designated Hitter Matt Ossenfort hit an RBI double in the bottom of the 2nd, and Junior 3rd Baseman Matt Heavner hit one in the bottom of the 5th.

After pitching 5 shutout innings, Junior Dominic Fritton allowed a 2-run home run in the top of the 6th, evening the score.

Junior Andrew Shaffner ran out of the bullpen to get things back under control, and he did…for a little while. After securing the final out of the inning, Freshman 1st Baseman Brandon Novy’s groundout brought home Junior Right Fielder Brayden Fraasman, giving the Pack a 1-run lead.

Shaffner has been nearly flawless all year, but things went off the rails in the top of the 8th, beaning the first two Stanford batters. After a groundout moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd, a sacrifice fly brought home the game-tying run.

The Wolfpack bats had the chance to walk it off in the bottom of the 9th, but no such magic was found. The Cardinal forced a 1-2-3 inning, propelling the contest to extra innings.

After pitching a scoreless 9th, Junior Jacob Dudan allowed a single to lead off the 10th, followed by an RBI double two batters later.

NC State had one more chance for walk-off magic in the bottom of the 10th, but once again, the Wolfpack batters went down in 1-2-3 fashion.

The Wolfpack still has a chance to win its first ACC Regular Season Championship in 40 years with a win tomorrow with a victory over the Cardinal, but they will need FSU to beat UNC in the series finale.

Game 3 between NC State and Stanford is set for 1pm tomorrow on ACC Network Extra.