NC State Baseball
NC State Baseball Drops NCAA Raleigh Regional Opener to Army, 5-1
RALEIGH, N.C. – The No. 9 NC State baseball team suffered a 5-1 loss to Army on Friday evening in its NCAA Regional opener at Doak Field at Dail Park.
NC State returns to action Saturday afternoon when it faces Northeastern at 2 p.m., and the winner will face the loser of the Auburn/Army game Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Wolfpack falls to 40-17 on the season while the Black Knights improve to 37-22.
Quick Hits
– Army struck first in the contest with a run on Ron Rosoff’s groundout to first base, scoring Jacob Hurtubise from second as he was moving with the pitch and raced around to score.
– The Black Knights tacked on a second run in the fourth thanks to Trey Martin’s sacrifice fly to left field to plate Ant Giachin.
– Army doubled its lead in the sixth following Rob Regine’s RBI double down the left field line and Drake Titus’s sacrifice fly to center field.
– In the seventh, Hurtubise scored for the second time on the day to extend Army’s lead to 5-0. He walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch to score on Giachin’s hit.
– The Pack threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one out but was only able to get a run out of it after a sacrifice fly from Shane Shepard.
Inside the Box Score
– Will Wilson and Evan Edwards led the team at the plate, as they both turned in a 3-for-4 performance.
– Josh McLain, Brett Kinneman and Patrick Bailey each tallied a base hit to contribute to the team’s nine in the contest.
– Reid Johnston earned the start on the mound and was hit with his first loss of the season, after allowing one earned run in 4.1 innings with four strikeouts.
– Army starter Tyler Giovinco went 6.1 innings to earn his ninth win.
On Deck
NC State returns to action tomorrow against Northeastern at 2 p.m. in its second game of the NCAA Raleigh Regional. The winner will face the loser of the Auburn/Army game Sunday at 2 p.m. in the fifth game of the weekend at Doak Field.
#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.