#13 NC State’s Hopes of an ACC Regular Season Title Die, Falling 6-3 to Stanford in Finale

#13 NC State (33-18/17-11) still had a chance at an ACC Regular Season Championship entering the series finale against Stanford this afternoon.

With a win and a FSU win over UNC, the Wolfpack would have finished the regular season at the top of the ACC standings.

The Seminoles took care of business, defeating the Tar Heels 5-4.

With an ACC Regular Season Title handed to them on a platter, NC State folded for the second straight day, falling to Stanford 6-3 this afternoon.

I mean no disrespect, but I’m still baffled that Sophomore Heath Andrews is still serving as NC State’s Game 3 starter. Entering today’s contest, Andrews had given up 5+ earned runs in four of his last six starts and 6+ runs in three of the last four starts. Today, the sophomore starter once again struggled, giving up two runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings, allowing six hits.

Why did Freshman Anderson Nance or Junior Andrew Shaffner never get a shot at the starting job?

Sophomore Cooper Consiglio relieved Andrews, but he didn’t bring any relief. He entered the contest with a 9.21 ERA in 28.1 innings. I know Consiglio was a solid contributor in 2024, but he simply doesn’t have it this year. Freshman Tristan Potts and Sophomore Jaxon Lucas have been better options all season.

The Wolfpack offense bears its share of the responsibility for the loss as well, leaving 11 runners on base.

Senior Shortstop Justin DeCriscio did his part, going 3 for 3 with two RBI and a walk. Freshman Brandon Novy has been solid all weekend in place of NC State’s best batter, Sophomore 1st Baseman Chris McHugh, and that didn’t change today. Novy was 2 for 4 this afternoon.

Andrews and Consiglio struggled, but credit is due to the next two Wolfpack pitchers out of the bullpen. Junior Shane Van Dam pitched three shutout innings with two strikeouts, and Senior Carson Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth in what is likely his last game at The Doak.

It’s truly agonizing to watch NC State hand away an ACC Regular Season Championship. Everything possible broke their way this weekend that was out of their control, but they couldn’t take care of what was in their control — beat a beatable Stanford team.