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PREVIEW: #2 NC State to Battle #1 FSU in Matchup of Nation’s Top Teams

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5 years ago

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RALEIGH, N.C. – As one of the nation’s two remaining unbeaten teams, the second-ranked NC State baseball team will host top-ranked Florida State in an exciting Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) series this weekend. Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 6:30 p.m., while Sunday’s series finale is slated for 1 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park.

All three games will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra, accessible through Watch ESPN and the Watch ESPN App. Radio coverage will also be available on WKNC 88.1 FM and on GoPack.com for premium subscribers with Andrew Sanders on the call.

NC State heads into the weekend with a perfect 17-0 record and a 3-0 mark in ACC play, while Florida State is 13-2 and 2-1 in conference action.

Game Promotions
Friday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m.
– Theme: Red Out, Alumni Association Day

– Giveaway: Red Out T-Shirts to all fans (400), Capital Pest K Cards, Baseball Bingo Cards

– Friday Night Field of Dreams: 8u Wildcat Red Youth baseball team will join the team on the field for the National Anthem

– Baseball Bingo presented by East Village Grill

Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.

– Theme: First Responder’s Day

– Giveaway: Capital Pest K Cards

Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m.
– Theme: St. PACKtricks Day, Youth League Day

– Giveaway: Color Changing 17oz. cups to all fans (400), Capital Pest K Cards

– Sunday Funday: Wolfpup Anthem with the team, Kid’s Zone

– Face Painter/Balloon Artist: Will be in the kid’s zone from 12:30-2:30pm

– Postgame: Kids Circle the Bases

Last Time Out
In its last outing, the Wolfpack cruised past the George Mason Patriots with an 18-3 win to earn its 17th win of the season. NC State’s 18 runs is the second most in a game this season and the sixth time that the Pack has surpassed 10 runs in a game.

The Series
NC State and Florida State have met 101 times in the history of the programs with the Seminoles leading the all-time series, 70-31.

Last Time Versus Florida State

The teams were placed in the same pool of the ACC Championship last season, as Florida State earned a 5-2 win in the most recent matchup between the programs.

Last Series Versus Florida State
Last year, the Wolfpack and Seminoles met on the final weekend of conference play in Tallahassee. Florida State won the series last season thanks to a pair of walkoff home runs in extra innings of game one and game two.

NC State avoided the sweep with a win in the series finale, as home run from Evan Edwards and Brett Kinneman helped lift the Pack to the win.

Last Time Versus Florida State at Doak Field
NC State won the last series against Florida State in Raleigh during the 2017 season. After dropping a 16-7 decision in game one, the Wolfpack bounced back in game two of the series with a 4-3 win thanks to a three-run homer from Evan Mendoza and a strong performance from Brian Brown on the mound.

The Pack scored four runs in the first inning of the series finale to clinch the series win, as Michael Bienlien was stellar on the mound to earn the win with six innings pitched.

The Rundown on Florida State
– The Florida State Seminoles are 13-2 on the year and 2-1 in ACC play, taking the series from Virginia Tech last weekend.

– FSU was picked to finish second in the ACC’s Atlantic Division, receiving six first-place votes to Louisville’s seven.

– The Seminoles have hit 28 home runs as a team this season to lead the conference and rank third in the NCAA.

– Florida State is also among the top five in the nation in on-base percentage with a .438 slash to pace the league.

Flashing the Leather

NC State leads the ACC and ranks sixth in the nation with a .985 fielding percentage. Florida State is right behind the Wolfpack with a .984 clip to rank second in the conference and seventh nationally.

Best Start in Program History
With a record of 17-0, NC State is off to its best start in program history, surpassing the previous best for the program of 12-0 to open the season set by the 1992 squad.

 

Don’t Give Up, Don’t Ever Give Up

NC State has trailed at some point in 10 of its 17 games this season but has responded to win the contest to remain unbeaten. The Wolfpack has trailed after six innings in five games this year and has risen to the test each time.

The Pack’s most impressive comeback of the season came against NC Central, as NC State fell behind 8-1 but rallied to win the contest, 11-10, in extra innings. The seven-run deficit was the largest overcome in a game for the Wolfpack since 2005.

 

Leading the Way

Junior pitcher Kent Klyman is the only pitcher in the country with five wins on the season.

 

Making it Count

The Wolfpack has made the most of its opportunities this season, as the squad has won eight one-run games.

 

Mighty McDonough

Tyler McDonough has enjoyed a hot start to the 2019 campaign, as the freshman leads NC State with a .352 batting average. That mark is 11th in the conference and fourth-best among freshmen.

The Wolfpack’s center fielder has compiled a team-high nine multi-hit games and has tallied a hit in the past four games, headlined by a four-hit outing in the series finale against Pitt.

Double Trouble 
NC State batters have hit 46 doubles this season, which leads the ACC and is third best in the NCAA. The Wolfpack recorded a season-high six doubles at NC Central last week.

In 2017, NC State led the ACC and finished sixth in the NCAA with 140 doubles.

Getting on Base
Patrick Bailey, Jonny Butler and Evan Edwards have all reached base safely in every game this season. Bailey leads the group and the team with a .488 on-base percentage.

 

Photo Credit: @NCStateBaseball

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NC State Baseball

#20 NC State Falls to #7 FSU 1-8 in Sunday Afternoon Bout

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13 hours ago

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May 5, 2024

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The 20th ranked NC State Baseball team lost to #7 FSU 1-8 on the road this afternoon. After yesterday’s game was cancelled due to weather, the Wolfpack head back to Raleigh splitting the series with the Seminoles.

Sophomore Dominic Fritton gave up 5 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched, walking 4. Senior Logan Whitaker made his return from injury, and gave up 3 earned runs in 1 inning pitched, walking 3. The Wolfpack bullpen wouldn’t allow another run the rest of the way, but their bats simply couldn’t muster any runs against FSU’s Dorsey and Hults.

The Wolfpack wasn’t without their offensive opportunities. They had 7 hits, which matched FSU’s total. NC State left 10 runners on base, while the Seminoles left 7.

Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makerewicz and Sophomore 2nd Baseman Matt Heavner both had 2 hits. Part of the Wolfpack’s problem, was the fact that only 1 of their 7 hits was an extra-base hit, and that was a Double by A-Mak. Makerewicz is batting .356 on the year.

Despite the loss, NC State heads into this week having clinched a spot in the 2024 ACC Tournament.

With a 13-10 ACC record, the Wolfpack currently sit 3rd in the Atlantic Division.

NC State will host Norfolk St. in a midweek game on Tuesday night at 7pm, and then will hit the road for a series against #11 Virginia next weekend.

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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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2 days 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

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4 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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6 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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