NC State Baseball
NC State Baseball Edged 3-2 by Canisius to Snap Eight-Game Win Streak
RALEIGH, N.C. – The 10th-ranked NC State baseball team saw its eight-game winning streak come to a close Sunday afternoon, as the Canisius Golden Griffins slipped past the Wolfpack with a 3-2 win at Doak Field at Dail Park.
The Wolfpack had the tying and the go-ahead run aboard in the ninth, but was not able to get the equalizer. NC State falls to 10-2 on the year, while Canisius, the preseason favorite in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), moves to 8-3.
Quick Hits
– Will Wilson gave NC State a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third, as he ripped his third home run of a season.
– The sophomore shortstop crushed an 0-1 pitch from Canisius starter J.P. Stevenson over the left field wall, homering for the second consecutive game.
– Canisius answered in the top half of the fourth to even the score at 2-2, after a solo homer from Ryan Stekl and an RBI single from Conner Morro.
– Both teams were held scoreless from the fourth through the eighth innings, but the Golden Griffins pulled ahead 3-2 in the top of the ninth.
– A leadoff walk proved costly for the Wolfpack, as the runner scored from third base on a sacrifice fly by Joseph Preziuso.
– NC State looked to counter in the bottom half, as Brad Debo drew a leadoff walk to start the frame.
– After Canisius brought in their closer to get the next two outs, freshman Terrell Tatum pinch-hit for the Pack and battled his way out of a 1-2 hole to draw a walk, putting the tying run on second and the go-ahead run on first.
– Unfortunately, the Griffs made the next play on a ground ball up the middle to end the game.
Game Notes
– The Wolfpack’s streak of nine runs in its last eight games ended in the contest, as the squad outscored opponents, 93-25, during the span.
– Wilson’s homer pushed NC State’s season total to 27, which leads the nation, as the Pack has hit at least one home run in 11 of 12 games this season.
– Wilson also extended his reached base safely streak to 27 games, dating back to last season.
On the Mound
– Freshman David Harrison started on the mound for NC State and pitched 3.2 innings before giving way to Nolan Clenney in the fourth.
– Clenney threw an 1.2 scoreless relief and handed the ball to lefty Kent Klyman.
– Klyman tossed two hitless innings prior to Joe O’Donnell, who allowed a run and was charged with the loss.
– Michael Bienlien finished the game on the hill, pitching 2/3 of an inning.
Up Next
NC State will conclude its season-opening home stand against UNCW Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Doak Field.
#23 NC State shutout Norfolk State 18-0 this evening, snapping a 5-game losing streak in midweek games.
Freshman Ryan Marohn pitched 4.2 innings scoreless innings, picking up his 3rd Win of the season (3-2).
It was a hit parade for the Wolfpack, racking up 15 hits. Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz led the way with 3 hits and 3 RBI’s, and Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III led the team with 4 Runs.
Freshman Catcher Alex Sosa hit his 2nd Home Run of the year, and his first ever in Doak Field.
First of many homers at #TheDoak for @ASOS131 😤 pic.twitter.com/Qvcp6OdE2o
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 7, 2024
Sophomore Andrew Shaffner, who has served as a relief Pitcher for the Wolfpack all year, finally picked up his first collegiate Hit, going 0-5 up to this point this season. His first Hit was a 2 RBI Single.
First-career hit ✅
First two RBI ✅@shaffner_andrew makes it 11-0 Pack! pic.twitter.com/OBHFjOtq9K— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 7, 2024
NC State will now prepare to head to Virginia to play the 10th ranked Cavaliers in a 3-game series this weekend.
After going 1-2 last week, NC State’s Baseball Team is still firmly in the Top-25. The Wolfpack lost in a midweek game to UNCW (#23 in Perfect Game), and then they split two games against FSU (#5 Baseball America).
Baseball America (-)
D1Baseball (-3)
Perfect Game (-)
The 20th ranked NC State Baseball team lost to #7 FSU 1-8 on the road this afternoon. After yesterday’s game was cancelled due to weather, the Wolfpack head back to Raleigh splitting the series with the Seminoles.
Sophomore Dominic Fritton gave up 5 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched, walking 4. Senior Logan Whitaker made his return from injury, and gave up 3 earned runs in 1 inning pitched, walking 3. The Wolfpack bullpen wouldn’t allow another run the rest of the way, but their bats simply couldn’t muster any runs against FSU’s Dorsey and Hults.
The Wolfpack wasn’t without their offensive opportunities. They had 7 hits, which matched FSU’s total. NC State left 10 runners on base, while the Seminoles left 7.
Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz and Sophomore 2nd Baseman Matt Heavner both had 2 hits. Part of the Wolfpack’s problem, was the fact that only 1 of their 7 hits was an extra-base hit, and that was a Double by A-Mak. Makerewicz is batting .356 on the year.
Despite the loss, NC State heads into this week having clinched a spot in the 2024 ACC Tournament.
With a 13-10 ACC record, the Wolfpack currently sit 3rd in the Atlantic Division.
NC State will host Norfolk St. in a midweek game on Tuesday night at 7pm, and then will hit the road for a series against #11 Virginia next weekend.
#20 NC State upset #7 Florida St. 8-7 in the series opener down in Tallahassee this evening.
Freshman Cooper Consiglio was the hero on the mound this evening, coming in after Senior Sam Highfill and Sophomore Shane Van Dam, pitching 4.1 innings, while giving up only 1 earned run and striking out 5. It was probably Consiglio’s best performance of his collegiate career, marking the first time he’s ever pitched 4 innings, and given up 1 run or less. He now is 2-4 on the year with a 5.66 ERA.
Sophomore Derrick Smith picked up his 4th Save of the year, failing to give up a hit in 1.2 innings pitched, while striking out 3.
Left them loaded! @DrockSmith22 strikes out Fisher to leave the bases loaded in the eighth!#Pack9 pic.twitter.com/ZxrysbIJVI
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 4, 2024
Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart got things started off for the Wolfpack in the Top of the 2nd hitting his 9th Home Run in the past 9 games, and his 15th of the year.
Sophomore 2nd Baseman Matt Heavner led the Pack with 2 RBI’s tonight. The first followed Cozart’s bomb, hitting a Single in the Top of the 2nd that scored Sophomore Left Fielder Luke Nixon. Then Junior Chase Nixon hit a Single, and 2 NC State runners scored due to a wild throw.
In play, runs ➕2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/jb5gAAs727
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 3, 2024
Then in the Top of the 3rd, Heavner knocked in another run with a Sac Bunt, that scored Luke Nixon.
Small Ball™️ pic.twitter.com/4U61oxRbE5
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 3, 2024
Then Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III hit an RBI Single that scored Chase Nixon, giving the Wolfpack a 6-2 lead.
In the Top of the 6th, Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz hit a solo Home Run, his 18th of the season.
SEE. YOU. LATER. ✌️.#Pack9 | @Alec_mak99 pic.twitter.com/muKGGbkEqJ
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 4, 2024
In the same inning, Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth scored on a wild pitch, giving the Wolfpack their 8th run of the evening.
Senior starting Pitcher Sam Highfill was only able to pitch 2 innings, giving up 2 earned runs. Sophomore Shane Van Dam continues to struggle in relief, giving up 3 earned runs in 1 inning. His ERA is now up to 5.17. Van Dam left the game with an injury, which might have led to his exit.
The Wolfpack and the Seminoles will play Game 2 tomorrow at 7pm.