Connect with us

NC State Baseball

NC State Beats Bucknell 12-8, Completing Opening Season Sweep

Published

5 years ago

on

RALEIGH, N.C. – Headlined by three home runs, including the first career homer and grand slam from junior Lawson McArthur, No. 21 NC State baseball powered past Bucknell, 12-8, Sunday afternoon to complete the series sweep.

The Wolfpack scored seven runs in the seventh inning, which are the most in an inning since March 3, 2018 against Campbell. The win marked the first time that the Pack has swept a season-opening series since 2010 against LaSalle.

Junior Kent Klyman picked up the win (1-0) on the mound and redshirt sophomore Dalton Feeney came on in the ninth to secure the save. Bucknell’s Tyler Wincig was charged with the loss.

NC State moves to 3-0 on the weekend, while Bucknell falls to 0-3.

Avent’s Additions
“I’m just so proud of our guys,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “We’ve been very fortunate with the weather we’ve had this spring and today might have been the coldest and the field was wet, damp.

“The guys didn’t treat this game as an 11 o’clock game on a Sunday morning, I felt they were ready to play. It’s a good thing they were because Bucknell certainly was. I thought their starting pitcher was outstanding. A lot of teams would get down trailing 7-4 in the seventh inning, but I am really proud of this club battling back.”

On Lawson McArthur…
“I’m just really happy for him. He’s been behind some really good outfielders in Brock Deatherage, Josh McLain and Brett Kinneman. He got a big hit at a big time for us. It was great for him because he made a big-time play yesterday in right field. When your confidence is going well, then things seem to work out good for you.”

Quick Hits
– The Wolfpack pushed across four runs in the bottom of the second, as the squad scored first in all three games of the series.
– Terrell Tatum had an RBI single in the frame and Vojtech Mensik tripled to right field to bring in two more runs for the Pack.
– A single from Jonny Butler scored Mensik, as NC State grabbed a 4-0 lead.
– Bucknell answered with three runs in the third thanks to a pair of RBI singles from JohnPaul Bell and Jack Schuler.
– After both teams were held scoreless in the fourth through the sixth innings, the seventh inning saw 11 runs scored.
– The Bison took its first lead of the series with four runs in the top of the inning, but it was short-lived as the Wolfpack responded with seven runs in the bottom half.
– Evan Edwards sparked the rally with his second home run of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall.
– Brad Debo contributed an RBI single to narrow the margin to 7-6.
– Following a David Vazquez walk to load the bases, McArthur crushed a 2-2 pitch from Wincig over the right field fence for his first career round-tripper and grand slam.
– Edwards drove in his second run of the inning with a single up the middle to push NC State’s advantage to 11-7.
– Tyler McDonough also notched his first collegiate home run with a blast to right field in the eighth to make it 12-7.
– Bucknell got a run back in the ninth, but Feeney entered the game and induced a flyout to center field to end the game.

Quoting McArthur
“I was just having fun out there, keeping my attitude up, and staying involved in the game. Watching every other at-bat to see what they were throwing to righties and lefties. I had a feeling with the bases loaded that he was going to throw me some off-speed pitches, which he did early in the count. I got in to a good count and managed to snag a fastball up in the zone and took advantage of it.

“My eyes got huge as soon as I saw that fastball up in the zone because I knew I could do something good with it.”

Inside the Box Score
– NC State did not commit an error and finished the weekend without a miscue on defense.
– Mensik turned in a 3-for-5 outing at the plate with two RBI and two runs, while McDonough was 2-for-4 with three runs and an RBI.
– Edwards and Tatum also tallied multi-hit games.

On the Mound
– Nick Swiney started on the mound for the Wolfpack and pitched 2.2 innings before handing the ball to Reid Johnston.
– Johnston tossed three shutout innings and departed the game inline to earn the win before a rally from Bucknell.
– Andrew Blake made his NC State debut on the mound and Klyman took over for him, throwing 2.1 innings to pick up the win.

On Deck
NC State will hit the road for its next five games, starting with a midweek game at Elon Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. at Latham Park.

Box Score

(PhotoCredit: GoPack)

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

1 day 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