Marohn Shines as #10 NC State gets a 6-4 statement road win over #11 FSU in series opener

The #10 NC State Wolfpack pulled off a thrilling 6-4 road victory over the #11 Florida State Seminoles on Friday in Tallahassee. This ACC series opener featured two top-15 teams trading blows in a high-stakes matchup, with NC State improving to 18-4 overall (3-1 ACC) and FSU dropping to 17-4 (3-1 ACC).

Ryan Marohn (4-0) was outstanding on the mound for the Wolfpack, tossing six innings and allowing four runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out a season-high 10, keeping the potent Seminole lineup off-balance most of the night. His strong start set the stage for Anderson Nance, who slammed the door in relief with three scoreless innings (one hit, two BB, five Ks) to notch his first save of 2026.

Offensively, NC State racked up 10 hits and capitalized on timely hitting and FSU miscues. The Wolfpack left nine runners on base but delivered in the key moments.

Dalton Bargo got things started in the top of the second with an RBI double to center, scoring Brayden Fraasman (unearned on an error) for a 1-0 lead.

After FSU tied it in the third on Brayden Dowd’s RBI groundout, NC State answered in the fourth with Ty Head’s sacrifice fly to center, plating Fraasman again.

The Seminoles briefly took a 4-2 lead in the fifth on Myles Bailey’s three-run homer to deep left field.

But the Wolfpack exploded for three runs in the 6th to regain control. Head singled to center for an RBI, followed by Rett Johnson’s clutch two-run double to center that drove in Bargo and Head, making it 5-4.

An insurance run came in the ninth when Sherman Johnson reached on an error by Cal Fisher, allowing Rett Johnson to score.

Standout performances for NC State included:

• Rett Johnson (LF): 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI – His big double in the sixth was huge and boosted his average to .444.
• Ty Head (CF): 1-3, 2 RBI (sac fly and single), 1 R – Another productive day from Head
• Dalton Bargo (DH): 2-4, 2B, RBI, 1 R – Set the tone early with his RBI double.
• Luke Nixon (2B): 2-5, 1 R – Multi-hit day and scored a big run.
• Brayden Fraasman (RF): 0-4 but scored twice, drawing a walk and reaching base to spark rallies.

Wes Mendes (5-1) took the loss for the Seminoles after 5.1 innings, yielding eight hits and five runs (four earned) with one walk and five strikeouts. Reliever John Abraham threw 3.2 innings but couldn’t stem the tide.

This hard-fought win gives the Wolfpack the early advantage in a pivotal ACC series against a ranked rival. Game two is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET, with NC State looking to build momentum and secure the series. The Pack’s pitching depth and clutch hitting continue to shine early in conference play.