NC State Baseball
NC State Falls to Florida State in ACC Championship, 5-2
DURHAM, N.C. – The NC State baseball team battled against All-ACC left hander Drew Parrish but was unable to put a rally together, as the Florida State Seminoles earned a 5-2 victory Friday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
With the win, the Seminoles advance to Saturday’s semifinals to face Clemson, while Pittsburgh and Louisville will play in the other semifinal.
NC State will now await the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, which will air live on ESPNU at Noon. The NCAA will announce the 16 regional hosts on Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. on www.ncaa.com/cws, ESPN Bottomline and by a press release.
The Wolfpack is now 40-16 on the year and Florida State improves to 41-17.
Avent’s Additions
Overall thoughts…
“I thought we played well tonight,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “As a matter of fact, Brian Brown was very, very good for two innings. The third inning was where they did most of the damage, and he made some big pitches the first two innings, and the third inning he just couldn’t seem to make the pitch. But part of that is Florida State.
“We just got through playing them three times in Tallahassee, and obviously we see the teams that we see, but for the teams that we played this year, and we played a great schedule, that’s as good a team and as hot a team as we’ve seen all year. They’re playing their best baseball of the season, and Parrish was just — that’s twice we’ve seen him in a week, and there’s not enough good things I can say about him.”
Quick Hits
– Florida State struck first in the contest after a pair of singles and an RBI double by Cal Raleigh in the top of the first.
– The Seminoles grabbed a 4-0 lead after a three-run third inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Raleigh.
– After FSU tacked on a run in the top of the fifth, NC State answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 5-3.
– Jack Conley opened the frame with a single to center field and scored on a double off the wall in left field by Evan Edwards.
– A two-out RBI single from the ACC leader in hits, Josh McLain, scored Edwards to narrow the margin to 5-3.
– Both teams were held scoreless in the final four innings of play and NC State was unable to cut into the Florida State advantage.
– McLain was 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI to lead the Wolfpack, while Conley, Deatherage and Edwards each had one hit.
– Parrish remains unbeaten on the year at 5-0 with the complete effort against the Pack.
On the Mound
– Brian Brown started on the mound and struck out five batters through his first two innings of work, highlighted by striking out the side in the first.
– It was his 60th career start, which ties the program record along with Terry Harvey.
– The senior ran into some trouble in the third and gave way to Nolan Clenney, who induced a lineout and a fielder’s choice to end the inning without allowing another run.
– Kent Klyman relieved him and threw 3.2 innings with three strikeouts, allowing just four hits (all singles) and one earned run.
– Joe O’Donnell closed out the contest with 2.1 innings of no-hit ball complemented by three strikeouts.
On Deck
NC State will now await the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, which will air live on ESPNU at Noon. The NCAA will announce the 16 regional hosts on Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. on www.ncaa.com/cws, ESPN Bottomline and by a press release.
#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.
*Scheduled tweet* pic.twitter.com/eHvyuGT6so
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 30, 2024
SCOREBOARD SHOT 🚀 pic.twitter.com/tMvY8imzgG
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 30, 2024
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.
Goodbye Baseball ✌️#Pack9 | @Garrettpenn14 pic.twitter.com/p0tySYt3aF
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 30, 2024
On Friday, the Wolfpack will head down to Tallahassee for a 3-game series against #7 Florida State.
After sweeping Ball State this past weekend, NC State jumped up in almost all of the Top-25 polls.
Baseball America – 13th (+4)
RPI – 20th (+9)
D1Baseball – 20th (+1)
USAToday Coaches Poll – 20th (+3)
Perfect Game – 25th (-)
#21 NC State defeated Ball St. 11-3 this afternoon, completing the sweep of the Cardinals.
Freshman Cooper Consiglio got the start, and pitched a career high 85 pitches, giving up 2 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched. He struck out 3, and walked 3.
Junior Carson Kelly came in for an inning of relief after Consiglio’s exodus, and even though he gave up a run, he was credited with the win.
Junior’s Jacob Cozart (C) and Brandon Butterworth (SS) each hit Home Runs, and each had 3 RBI’s. Cozart was a double shy of hitting for the Cycle. He is on a torrid streak, hitting Home Runs in 6 of the last 7 games.
Hot start from ‘Zart 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2inPsZfFnZ
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 28, 2024
Two-out, two-run damage from Butters 🧈#Pack9 | @SlippinOnButter pic.twitter.com/K2raWgWISa
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 28, 2024
SIX homers in SEVEN games for No. 14 💪 pic.twitter.com/4oEBC93N6H
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 28, 2024
Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III had a multi-hit game, going 2 for 5 with 2 Runs, and Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz had a 2 RBI Double.
The Wolfpack will host UNCW this Tuesday at 5pm.