NC State Baseball
#21 NC State Walks Off in Extras Against Kent State, 3-2
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – With two outs in the bottom of the 11th, sophomore Patrick Bailey lifted a fly ball into shallow left field, and it fell in for the game-winning hit as the 21st-ranked NC State baseball team earned a 3-2 walkoff win against Kent State Friday evening at TicketReturn.com Field.
“NC State wins, it falls in for a hit…as #Bailey walks it off” #GoPack // #Pack9 pic.twitter.com/Hai0GLDE8d
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) February 22, 2019
Lawson McArthur drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher, as the Wolfpack had the winning run in scoring position with just one out. After a flyout, Will Wilson drew a walk and Bailey followed with the game-winning single.
It was NC State’s first walkoff win since April 29, 2016, against Duke.
Four different Wolfpack pitchers combined to prevent Kent State, a team receiving votes for the top 25 poll that has won three consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships, from scoring an earned run. Both of the Golden Flashes runs were unearned.
Kent Klyman finished the game on the mound to earn his second win of the season, while Zach Schultz was charged with the loss.
NC State remains unbeaten on the year at 5-0, while Kent State is still looking for its first win (0-4).
Quick Hits
– Kent State pushed across the game’s first runs, as NC State found itself trailing for just the second time this season.
– The Golden Flashes took advantage of the Wolfpack’s first error of the year, plating two runs in the bottom of the third.
– Sophomore Devonte Brown sparked the NC State offense in the sixth, as he ripped a 2-1 pitch off the wall in left center, narrowly missing his first collegiate home run.
– Wilson followed two batters later with a single up the middle, as Brown raced around to score from second to get the Wolfpack on the board.
– A solo homer from Wilson knotted the game at two apiece in the eighth, as the junior shortstop crushed a 3-2 delivery from Jack Zimmerman over the left field. It was his third round-tripper of the season.
On the Mound
– NC State pitchers did not allow an earned run or an extra-base hit in the contest.
– Junior Jason Parker started on the mound for the Pack and threw four innings with four strikeouts.
– Evan Justice was brilliant out of the bullpen, striking out five batters and 34 of the 47 pitches he threw were strikes.
– Dalton Feeney pitched 1.2 innings before handing the ball to Klyman, who threw the final 1.1.
On Deck
NC State will return to action on Saturday morning, when the Wolfpack takes on the Michigan State Spartans. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. at Springs Brooks Stadium.
(PhotoCredit: GoPack)
#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
#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 (-)
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