Connect with us

NC State Baseball

No. 2 NC State Baseball Hosts Sixth-Ranked UNC-Chapel Hill This Weekend

Published

6 years ago

on

UNC-CHAPEL HILL – NC STATE WEEKEND SERIES
Dates: Friday – Sunday, April 27-29
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Site: Doak Field at Dail Park
Times: 6:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) | 1 P.M. (Sun.)
Radio: WKNC 88.1 FM
Live Video: ACC Network Extra
Live Stats: SideArm Live Stats

STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: RHP Cooper Criswell (UNC-CH) vs. RHP Reid Johnston (NCSU)
Saturday: RHP Austin Bergner (UNC-CH) vs. LHP Brian Brown (NCSU)
Sunday: RHP Tyler Baum (UNC-CH) vs. RHP Johnny Piedmonte (NCSU)

RALEIGH, N.C. – For the second consecutive weekend, the ACC’s Atlantic and Coastal Division leaders will square off, as the second-ranked NC State baseball team will host sixth-ranked UNC-Chapel Hill.

First pitch of Friday and Saturday’s games is slated for 6:30 p.m., while Sunday’s series finale will begin at 1 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park. All three games are SOLD OUT!

Each game will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra, accessible through Watch ESPN and the Watch ESPN App. Radio coverage will also be available on WKNC 88.1 FM and on GoPack.com for premium subscribers.

NC State enters the weekend with a 31-8 overall record, including a 15-6 mark in ACC play to lead the Atlantic Division while UNC-Chapel Hill makes the short commute with a 28-13 overall mark and an identical 15-6 ledger to pace the Coastal Division.

Last Time Out
The Wolfpack dropped its most recent outing, as the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils avoided the sweep with a win in the series finale last Sunday. NC State won Friday’s game, 9-2, and earned a 2-1 win on Saturday in a pitcher’s duel to clinch the series.

UNC earned an 8-2 win against Western Carolina in its last outing in non-conference action on Wednesday evening.

The Series
The Wolfpack and Tar Heels have met 298 times in the history of the programs, as UNC-Chapel Hill leads the series 164-133-1.

Last Time Versus UNC-Chapel Hill
NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill met last week in a non-conference battle in the ‘Duel at the DBAP’. The Wolfpack earned an 8-3 win in that contest, thanks in large part to home runs by freshman Patrick Bailey and junior Evan Edwards.

Last Time Versus UNC-Chapel Hill at Doak Field
The Wolfpack won the last home series against the Tar Heels, as NC State won game one and the series finale to clinch the series.

Scouting UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-Chapel Hill has won six of its last eight games heading into the weekend and is ranked No. 6 in this week’s Collegiate Baseball Rankings. The Tar Heels have won their last four ACC series and are coming off a sweep against Georgia Tech.

UNC owns a team batting average of .285, which is the third best in the conference. Kyle Datres leads the Heels with a .355 batting average complemented by a team-high 59 hits.

On the mound, UNC’s pitchers have compiled a 3.58 earned run average (ERA) to rank fifth in the ACC.

Offensive Showdown
The ACC’s top scoring offenses meet this weekend, as NC State leads the conference and ranks 13th in the nation with 7.5 runs per game. UNC is second in the league with 7.2 runs per game to rank 25th in the ACC.

Around the State
Starting with last week’s non-conference matchup against UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State’s schedule features eight consecutive games versus teams from the state of North Carolina.

The Wolfpack is 10-1 against teams from the state of North Carolina this season.

10 And Counting
The Wolfpack owns the ACC’s longest active series-win streak, as NC State has won 10 consecutive conference series. NC State has won each of its weekend matchups dating back to the Virginia Tech series from last season.

Johnston Shines in First ACC Start
Freshman Reid Johnston started on the mound for the Wolfpack last Friday to make the first ACC start of his collegiate career and threw a gem to earn his sixth win of the season.

The Enfield, N.C., native went a career-long 6.2 innings and limited the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils to just four hits and struck out three batters. He will start on Friday for the second consecutive week for NC State.

Shutting It Down
NC State is a perfect 25-0 this season when leading after the seventh inning and the record increases to 30-0 when leading after the eighth inning. The Wolfpack’s 16 saves lead the ACC in that category.

Eight in A Row
Josh McLain and Will Wilson each extended their hitting streaks to eight games with a hit in Sunday’s game at Duke. McLain owns a .500 batting average in his last eight games with 20 hits.

Wilson has 11 hits, including three home runs to compile a .306 batting average during that stretch.

Road Warriors
NC State owns the ACC’s best road record with a 9-3 mark in conference games. No other team in the conference has more than seven road wins in league action.

Wolfpack in the National, ACC Rankings
Team
Batting Average – .303 (1st in ACC, 16th in NCAA)
Hits – 408 (2nd in ACC, 33rd in NCAA)
Home Runs – 56 (2nd in ACC, 7th in NCAA)
Home Runs Per Game – 1.44 (2nd in ACC, 6th in NCAA)
On-base Percentage – .398 (1st in ACC, 20th in NCAA)
Slugging Percentage – .480 (1st in ACC, 9th in NCAA)
Runs – 291 (2nd in ACC, 23rd in NCAA)
Scoring – 7.5 (1st in ACC, 13th in NCAA)

Walks Plus Hits Per Inning Pitched (WHIP) – 1.28 (3rd in ACC, 34th in NCAA)
Earned Run Average – 3.52 (4th in ACC, 37th in NCAA)
Hits Allowed Per 9 Innings – 7.84 (3rd in ACC, 35th in NCAA)

Individual
Brian Brown
ERA – 0.99 (1st in ACC, 3rd in NCAA)

Brett Kinneman
Home Runs – 13 (T1st in ACC, T13th in NCAA)
RBI – 45 (T2nd in ACC, 28th in NCAA)

Josh McLain
Hits – 67 (1st in ACC, 8th in NCAA)
Hits Per Game – 1.72 (1st in ACC, 6th in NCAA)

Joe O’Donnell
Saves – 8 (2nd in ACC, 27th in NCAA)

 

Related Topics:
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Upsets #7 FSU 8-7 in Game 1 Down in Tallahassee

Published

2 days ago

on

May 3, 2024

By

#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.

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.

Then in the Top of the 3rd, Heavner knocked in another run with a Sac Bunt, that scored Luke Nixon.

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.

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU

Published

3 days ago

on

May 2, 2024

By

#20 NC State will head down to Tallahassee tomorrow for a 3-game series against #7 FSU. Before they do, here’s a look at where NC State is projected to land in the 2024 NCAA Tournament as things currently stand.

Last week, both D1Baseball and Baseball America projected the Wolfpack to play as a #2 seed in the Greenville Regional (ECU), with the former projecting the Pirates to be a #6 seed, and the latter projecting them to be a #8 seed.

This week, D1Baseball has NC State as a #2 seed in the Lexington Regional, with Kentucky as a #5 seed. Baseball America still has the Wolfpack as a #2 seed in the Greenville Region, with the Pirates still sitting as a #8 seed.

D1Baseball

Baseball America

Continue Reading

NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Loses 4-5 to UNCW, Losing 5th Straight Midweek Game

Published

5 days ago

on

April 30, 2024

By

#20 NC State lost to UNC-Wilmington 4-5 this evening at home, losing their 5th straight midweek game. The Wolfpack were swept by the Seahawks this year, ironically losing 4-5 down in Wilmington on April 9th.

Freshman Ryan Marohn got the starting nod, and he was excellent, giving up 1 earned run in 5 innings pitched, striking out 7. It was arguably his best start since his collegiate debut against VCU in the opening series.

Sophomore Shane Van Dam was Mr. Reliable through much of the season, but he hasn’t had his best stuff as of late. This evening, he faced four batters, hitting 2, walking another, and surrendering a hit to the other. Van Dam failed to record an out, and gave up 3 earned runs. Heading into the UNC game back on April 18th, Van Dam had a 2.63 ERA. After the past 4 appearances, his ERA has shot up to 3.96.

Freshman Jacob Dudan settled things down, pitching 4 scoreless innings, giving up only 1 hit, while striking out 5.

Unfortunately, Sophomore Derrick Smith allowed the Seahawks to score a run in the Top of the 10th, which was enough for the opposing team to leave Raleigh with a win, with NC State failing to score a run in the final 5 frames.

Junior Jacob Cozart continues an insane power surge, hitting two more Home Runs tonight. Cozart has hit 7 Home Runs in the past 6 games.

Cozart now has 14 Home Runs on the year. His previous career high was 11.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington also hit a Solo Home Run, his 11th bomb of the year.

On Friday, the Wolfpack will head down to Tallahassee for a 3-game series against #7 Florida State.

Continue Reading

NC State Baseball

NC State Outfielder Josh Hogue Out for Remainder of the Season

Published

6 days ago

on

April 29, 2024

By

NC State will be without Sophomore Right Fielder Josh Hogue for the remainder of the season. Hogue unfortunately suffered a fractured leg due to a collision with Center Fielder Eli Serrano III on Saturday, with both players diving for a ball in the outfield.

Hogue will have to undergo surgery, and he is expected to be out 4 months.

This is a huge loss for the Wolfpack. Hogue has been batting 3rd in NC State’s lineup, with the 3rd best batting average on the squad (.314) and 4th best OPS (.848).

On Sunday, Freshman 2nd Baseman Luke Nixon moved out to Right Field to fill the void, and his brother Chase Nixon was in Right. Starter Senior Noah Soles has been out since the Notre Dame Series at the end of March, but he has been taking batting practice and should be returning soon.

Continue Reading