#17 NC State’s late game heroics continued this afternoon, defeating #8 Wake Forest 9-6 in dramatic fashion late in the game for the 3rd straight game, completing the sweep of the Demon Deacons.

With the game tied 6-6, the Wolfpack scored 3 runs in the Bottom of the 8th inning, that would end up being the winning runs. With 2 outs, Freshman Alex Sosa scored on a throwing error, and Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington followed that up with a 2 RBI Double.

OUR LEAD!!!

The Pack takes advantage of a Demon Deacon error and jumps ahead 7-6! pic.twitter.com/E1J1zfZ3ZJ

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

KEEP ‘EM COMIN 📈@Garrettpenn14 boosts our lead to 9-6 after a two-run double! pic.twitter.com/WKU0hzS4vv

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

Senior Starting Pitcher Logan Whitaker gave up 5 runs (1 unearned) in 4 innings pitched, striking out 5, while walking none. Freshman Ryan Marohn was fabulous in relief, giving up only 1 earned run in 4 innings pitched, striking out 4. Marohn has been extremely dependable as a True Freshman. After picking up the Win today, he boasts a 4-2 record with a 3.60 ERA.

Sophomore Derrick Smith came in to close things out in the Bottom of the 9th, and in electric fashion, he struck out all three batters to pick up his 5th Save of the season.

How ‘bout that ninth frame from @DrockSmith22?

Three up. Three down. Three punchouts.

🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/6pIoeDYPCE

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

Sosa had himself a day, putting the Pack on the board in the Bottom of the 2nd with an RBI Single, which was followed up by a Solo Home Run in the Bottom of the 6th inning.

Our freshmen are getting it done 💪@lukenix0n grabs our first hit of the day with a double to left and @ASOS131 brings him home with a single up this middle!

B2 | Pack 1, Wake 1 pic.twitter.com/EP5IvxALax

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

PREPARE FOR LIFTOFF 🚀@ASOS131 sends one 448 feet and OVER the scoreboard!

We’re tied up in Raleigh. pic.twitter.com/oCRU2rnbKZ

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

Pennington and Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart both had 3 RBI’s this afternoon. Pennington not only hit his 2 RBI Double in the Bottom of the 8th, but he also hit an RBI Single in the Bottom of the 5th. Cozart hit a 3-run bomb in the bottom of the 6th.

Battling back 💪@Garrettpenn14 brings home @eliserrano__ with a single up the middle!

B5 | Wake 5, Pack 2 pic.twitter.com/mh9QjfpcyZ

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

GOODBYE BASEBALL 👋⚾

We’re all square at #TheDoak after a three-run moonshot from Zart! pic.twitter.com/nZXIrA64w7

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III and Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz also had multi-hit performances. Serrano III was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a Run, while A-Mak was 2 for 1 with a Run.

With the victory, NC State secured the #3 seed in this upcoming weeks 2024 ACC Tournament, and more than likely locked up a spot as a Regional Host in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

After last night’s dramatic walk-off victory over #8 Wake Forest, #17 NC State is 17-11 in ACC play, and if the season were to end today, the Wolfpack would a Top-4 seed in next weeks ACC Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.

UNC has locked up the #1 seed (21-9), and Clemson has locked up the #2 seed (19-10)

NC State and FSU are tied with conference records of 17-11, but as things currently stand, the Wolfpack would be the #3 seed over FSU. NC State currently holds the edge over the Seminoles according to tie breaker rules. In head-to-head games, the two teams split. The Wolfpack hold the edge due to having a better Divisional record.

Here are the scenarios for the Pack heading into the regular season finale against Wake Forest this afternoon:

NC State will secure the #3 spot if they win today in the series finale against Wake Forest.

If NC State loses, FSU loses, and UVA loses, NC State will secure the #3 seed.

If NC State loses, FSU loses, and UVA wins, NC State would secure the #4 seed.

If NC State loses, FSU wins and UVA loses, the Wolfpack will secure the #4 seed.

If NC State loses, FSU wins and UVA wins, the Wolfpack will fall out of the Top-4, and be the #5 seed.

After beating #8 Wake Forest in walk-off fashion for the 2nd straight night, securing a series victory over the Demon Deacons, #17 NC State is looking like they are in a prime position to be a Regional Host in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The Wolfpack have an overall record of 31-19, and rank 3rd overall in the ACC with a 17-11 record.

As things currently stand, NC State ranks 15th in the RPI heading into their final game of the regular season.

Their resume is juicy, with Series Victories over 4 Top-10 teams (Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson & UVA), and 5 Top-12 teams (UNC). That’s not including the fact that they split a 2-game series against a Top-10 team in FSU.

NC State beats Wake Forest 2-1 on a walk-off walk in the ninth. Wolfpack wins the series — and in my mind, this should clinch a home regional for NC State, considering all those high-end series wins (vs. Duke, at Clemson, vs. UNC, at UVa, vs. Wake. Plus a road split at FSU).

— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) May 18, 2024

It's my belief that @NCStateBaseball is in excellent shape for a Top 16 seed at this point. #Pack9 takes the series from Wake Forest on a bases loaded walk.#NCState has series wins over:
Duke
Clemson
North Carolina
Virginia
Wake Forest

Crazy impressive.

— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) May 18, 2024

The only team NC State has not won a series against or split a series with in the top seven of the ACC standings right now is….NC State.

Yeah, I’m thinking Raleigh Regional.

— Alec Sawyer (@AlecSawyer) May 18, 2024

Let’s update this to add #8 (x2). Undeniable. The Wolfpack are a legit Omaha contender. Welcome to those that care way too much about mid week matchups. https://t.co/Mz3tXbcwSe

— Alex Gee (@coachgee74) May 18, 2024

With a win today in the series finale, there shouldn’t even be a debate.

For the 2nd night in a row, #17 NC State defeated #8 Wake Forest in walk-off fashion, when Senior Noah Soles drew a Walk with the bases loaded.

𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊-ED IT OFF!!! THE PACK TAKES THE SERIES OVER WAKE FOREST!!! pic.twitter.com/3Bxft4EXlA

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

Series is OURS🚨 pic.twitter.com/0vm08bp1sK

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

Sophomore Dominic Fritton gave up only 1 earned run in 4.2 innings, striking out 5. The bullpen handled business after Fritton left the game. Sophomore Andrew Shaffner and Freshman Jacob Dudan combined for 4.1 innings of no-hit baseball. Combined, the NC State pitching staff held the Demon Deacons to only 3 hits.

Junior Chase Nixon was the source of the only other Wolfpack RBI via a Single in the 6th inning, driving home his brother Luke.

ALL SQUARE AT DOAK!

Chase Nixon drives home brother Luke Nixon after legging out an infield single and taking advantage of a Deacon error.

B5 | Pack 1, Wake 1 pic.twitter.com/Uk9vRg48oi

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024

NC State clinched a series victory against Wake Forest for the first time since 2021, and the first time at home since 2018.

The Wolfpack should have locked up a spot as a Regional Host in the upcoming 2024 NCAA Tournament with a series victory over #8 Wake Forest. NC State now has 4 series victories against Top-10 teams, and 5 Top-12 teams.

NC State will close out the regular season tomorrow in the series finale against Wake Forest at 3pm.