NC State’s Offensive Explosion Leads to a 17-12 Win Over Stetson in Game 3 of the NCAA Baseball Tournament

NC State defeated Stetson 17-12 in a shootout on the baseball diamond this evening in their third game of the NCAA Tournament in the Auburn Regional.

Heath Andrews got the start for the Wolfpack, surrendering 3 earned runs in 4 innings, striking out 3 batters while walking none. When Andrews left the game, NC State held a 4-3 lead.

The Wolfpack scored 3 runs in the top of the 2nd. Sophomore second baseman Luke Nixon laid down a bunt that resulted in a throwing error, bringing sophomore catcher Alex Sosa across home plate. Freshman designated hitter Brandon Novy was the next batter, plating 2 runs off a double.

In the top of the 4th, junior right fielder Brayden Fraasman gave the Pack the lead with a solo home run.

Sophomore Jacob Dudan relieved Andrews in the bottom of the 5th, entering the contest with a 2.73 ERA. He left the game with a 3.90 ERA, being removed after giving up 4 earned runs while recording just one out.

Junior Andrew Shaffner was next out of the bullpen, and he too allowed 4 earned runs (in 3.1 innings). Shaffner allowed a solo home run in the bottom of the 6th with two outs.

NC State entered the top of the 7th trailing 8-4.

Freshman third baseman Ryder Woodson continued his NCAA Tournament heroics, hitting a solo home run in the 7th, cutting Stetson’s lead to 3.

After Shaffner shut out the Hatters in the bottom of the 7th, the Wolfpack exploded for 10 runs in the top of the 8th, taking a 15-8 lead. With the bases juiced, Fraasman walked in a run, and Woodson hit a home run in the second consecutive inning — this time a grand slam. Senior shortstop Justin DeCriscio’s RBI single brought home the next Wolfpack run. Nixon reached first on a fielding error, resulting in two more NC State runs. The Hatters continued to unravel, allowing Novy to hit a 2-run inside-the-park home run.

Stetson tried to make things interesting in the bottom of the 8th, tagging Shaffner for two more runs, as well as a 2-run home run off senior Carson Kelly, cutting NC State’s lead to 15-12.

The Wolfpack responded in the top of the 9th with two more runs. Freshman center fielder Ty Head hit a single that resulted in a throwing error, bringing in another NC State run. Sophomore first baseman Chris McHugh followed that up with an RBI double.

NC State was saved this afternoon by two freshmen.

Ryder Woodson was 3 for 5 with 5 RBI, 3 runs, 2 home runs, and a double. Woodson started the past two games, and the results have been sensational, going 5 for 10 with 8 RBI, 4 runs, 3 home runs, and 2 doubles. Watching this offensive explosion makes you scratch your head as to why this was only Woodson’s fourth start of the year.

Brandon Novy was outstanding this afternoon, going 3 for 5 with 4 RBI, 2 runs, a home run, and a double.

NC State’s 19 hits are tied for the most in a game all season, and the 17 runs are the second most.

DeCriscio and junior left fielder Josh Hogue both had 3 hits, and Sosa added 2.

NC State and Auburn will now play at 8:06 this evening. If the Wolfpack wins, they will face the Tigers again tomorrow, with the winner advancing to the Super Regionals. If NC State loses this evening to host Auburn, their 2025 baseball season will officially end.