NC State Baseball
Johnston’s Complete Game Shutout Lifts #1 NC State to 3-0 Win Over UVA
RALEIGH, N.C. – Sophomore Reid Johnston struck out the side in the top of the first and that provided him all the momentum he needed to accomplish something that he had never done, throwing a complete game shutout to lift No. 1 NC State to a 3-0 win against Virginia Friday night at Doak Field at Dail Park.
Johnston’s shutout is just the second of the season by an ACC pitcher and is the first for the Wolfpack since Carlos Rodón accomplished the feat against William & Mary on June 1, 2013.
“I thought it was a great college baseball game with two great pitchers going at it,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “Their guy was very, very good and it’s been a series of pitching so far. Two good teams and both playing good defense.
“Reid [Johnston] was the story of the game. He threw just over 100 pitches, only walked one and just threw strikes. He commanded the strike zone and used his changeup very effectively. He was very, very good.”
NC State (26-2, 9-2 ACC) evens the series with Virginia (16-11, 6-5 ACC), as the teams will square off in the rubber game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
In a well-pitched game from both teams that featured only three combined walks, it was Johnston that stole the show with the longest outing of his career, surpassing his previous high of 6.2 innings. He also matched his career-best in strikeouts with seven.
“I had so much adrenaline in the ninth inning that I could hardly control myself,” said Johnston. “I was trying to take it pitch-by-pitch and not get too hyped up. I try to lock in and visualize what I need to do and that helped.
“I always try to pound the strike zone and if they hit it, they hit it.”
The Wolfpack grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second after an RBI double to right center off the bat of David Vazquez, which allowed freshman Tyler McDonough to score from first.
NC State added to its advantage in the fifth when sophomore Jonny Butler launched the first home run of his Wolfpack career, a two-run blast over the right field wall. Vazquez walked prior to his at-bat and scored to make it a 3-0 lead.
With the way Johnston pitched, three runs were more than enough for the Pack to secure the win. Patrick Bailey doubled in the game and Evan Edwards singled, as both extended their reached base safely streaks to 28 games – having reached in every game this season.
#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 (-)
WATCH: Andy Katz’s Offseason Convo with NC State’s Kevin Keatts
NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU
Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. will Take an Official Visit at NC State Next Week
Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State
NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll
NC State’s Current 2024 Football Scholarship Breakdown
NC State’s Mohamed Diarra Will Not Return to NC State for Final Season
NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24
Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is a Priority for NC State
NC State Football Recruiting Update
2024 NC State Commit Trey Parker Finishes 2nd in OTE Dunk Contest
VIDEO BREAKDOWN: Was BYU 3 point barrage unstoppable, or was NC State’s defense to blame? You decide.
VIDEO: Terquavion Smith GOES OFF in G-League Debut with 37 points & 8 Boards
NC State lands combo guard DJ Horne from the portal
