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NC State Baseball

Johnston’s Shutout Leads to ACC Pitcher of the Week Honors

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5 years ago

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GREENSBORO, N.C. – After throwing his first career complete game shutout in Saturday’s 3-0win against Virginia, top-ranked NC State baseball’s Reid Johnston has been named the ACC Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

“Reid was the story of the game,” head coach Elliott Avent said following Saturday’s win. “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.”

Johnston was phenomenal on the mound against the Cavaliers, as he accomplished something he had never done – throwing a complete game shutout. The sophomore pounded the strike zone early and often, as he matched his career high with seven strikeouts and only walked one batter. The one batter he walked was the lone three-ball count he had on the night and it was in the first inning, as Johnston fired 72 strikes on 104 pitches.

It was also the longest outing of his career, surpassing his previous career long of 6.2 innings pitched in a win at Duke last season. He struck out the side in the top of the first and that provided him all the momentum he needed to accomplish the first shutout for a Wolfpack pitcher since June 1, 2013, when Carlos Ródon shut out William & Mary in the NCAA Regional.

“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.”

Additionally, it was just the second shutout of the season by an ACC pitcher and just one of five complete games by a pitcher from the conference. He surrendered just six hits, and all were singles. Johnson retired the side in order four times and struck out the side once. 

His strong outing helped improve his earned run average (ERA) from 2.93 to 2.21, which ranks among the top 10 in the ACC, and he’s a perfect 4-0 on the year.

Johnston earns the first pitcher of the week honor of his young career and the second of the season for a Wolfpack pitcher, as Jason Parker earned the award on March 18.

NC State returns to action Tuesday eveningagainst the South Carolina Gamecocks. The matchup will be played at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte, home of the Charlotte Knights. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Baseball Bracketology Report Heading Into Series Against FSU

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4 hours 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.

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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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2 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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NC State Baseball

NC State Outfielder Josh Hogue Out for Remainder of the Season

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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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.

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NC State Baseball Jumps Up in Top-25 Rankings After Ball St. Sweep

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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After sweeping Ball State this past weekend, NC State jumped up in almost all of the Top-25 polls.

Baseball America – 13th (+4)

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RPI – 20th (+9)

D1Baseball – 20th (+1)

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USAToday Coaches Poll – 20th (+3)

Perfect Game – 25th (-)

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