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NC State Baseball

NC State Drops ACC Championship Opener Against Virginia, 4-2

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6 years ago

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DURHAM, N.C. – The eighth-ranked NC State baseball team was edged by Virginia, 4-2, in its ACC Championship opener Thursday afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Wolfpack had the tying and go-ahead run on base in the eighth but was unable to get the run across.

NC State returns to action Friday evening against Florida State at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the semifinals on Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. to face the winner of the Duke/Louisville game.

The Wolfpack falls to 40-15 on the year and the Cavs conclude their season with a 29-25 overall record, after losing their first game of the conference championship against Florida State on Tuesday.

Avent’s Additions
Opening Statement…
“I thought we played good tonight, but we ran into a Virginia team that played very well,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “I mean, you saw their Florida State game Tuesday. They had so many opportunities to win that game, and I’ve said it before, that’s a good ballclub. You saw the pitching from Abbott and Lynch the other night, and then what we saw from Casey and Sousa today.

“They’ve got a heck of a coaching staff, they’ve got a heck of a team, and tonight they were better.”

Quick Hits
– NC State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the game after a solo home run from Patrick Bailey in the top of the second.
– The ACC Freshman of the Year drove a first-pitch fastball over the wall in right field for his 11thhome run.
– In the third inning, the Wolfpack extended its lead to 2-0 after a two-out RBI single by Josh McLain.
– Shane Shepard led off the frame with a single and advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and groundout to score on the play.
– Virginia answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to level the score at two after an RBI single from Jake McCarthy and a sac fly by Andy Weber.
– The Cavaliers took a 3-2 lead in the fourth after a throwing error by the Pack allowed the runner to score from third.
– NC State threatened in the top of the eighth after a two-out walk to Josh McLain and a double by Will Wilson, but unfortunately was unable to score a run to knot the score.
– Virginia tacked on an insurance run in the bottom half to take a 4-2 advantage and held on for the win.

Inside the Box Score
– Bailey led the Wolfpack at the plate with a 2-for-4 outing, including a solo homer and a double.
– Shepard also tallied two hits in the contest with a single and a double, while McLain and Wilson each had one hit.
– Wilson’s double extended his hitting streak to nine games, dating back to the first game against James Madison on May 8.

On the Mound
– Freshman Reid Johnston started on the mound for the Pack but struggled with his command and gave way to David Harrison in the third.
– Harrison pitched 2.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts but was charged with the loss after allowing an unearned run.
– Nick Swiney pitched 1.2 innings, while Nolan Clenney and Evan Justice each threw a third of an inning.
– Mathieu Gauthier closed out the game on the mound with the final two-thirds of an inning.

On Deck
NC State returns to action tomorrow night against Florida State at 7 p.m. in its second game of the ACC Championship. The winner will advance to the semifinals on Saturday at 5 p.m. and face the winner of Duke and Louisville.

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NC State Baseball

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

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1 day ago

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May 3, 2024

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#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.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU

Published

3 days ago

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May 2, 2024

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#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

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NC State Baseball

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

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4 days ago

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April 30, 2024

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#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.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Outfielder Josh Hogue Out for Remainder of the Season

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5 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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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.

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