#23 NC State tried to make another comeback effort in Game 2 against #10 UVA, but it wouldn’t be enough, falling 5-9 to the Cavaliers.

Sophomore Dominic Fritton gave up 6 runs in 5.2 innings pitched, striking out 4. His 106 pitches tied a season high.

The Wolfpack did manage to collect 8 Hits, but it was far from matching the Cavs 14.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington had the hot bat for the Pack, going 3 for 4 with, a Home Run, 2 Runs and 2 RBI’s. The Home Run was Pennington’s 13th of the year.

Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III had the only other multi-hit performance, going 2-5 with a Double, a Run and an RBI.

Serrano III and Pennington made up for 5 of NC State’s 8 hits.

With a win tomorrow in the rubber match, NC State will look to win their first series against UVA since 2019, and their first in Charlottesville since 2016.

NC State Head Coach Elliott Avent confirmed last night that Sophomore Relief Pitcher Shane Van Dam will miss the remainder of the season with a UCL injury, and will require Tommy John Surgery.

Van Dam has served as the Wolfpack’s anchor in Middle Relief. He finished his first season in Raleigh with a 4-0 record and a 4.58 ERA, striking out 38 batters in 37.1 innings.

Van Dam was a tremendous pickup for the Wolfpack out of the Portal, transferring in from SUNY Cortland, a Division III school, where he also played Quarterback.

Last night, Freshman Jacob Dudan served in Van Dam’s role, as the next man up. Dudan has a 2-2 record with a 4.63 ERA, striking out 37 batters in 35 innings pitched.

#23 NC State takes down #10 UVA 7-5 on the road in the series opener on the road.

Senior Sam Highfill pitched a Quality Start, giving up 3 earned runs in 6 innings, striking out 6. Freshman Jacob Dudan surrendered 2 earned runs in 3 innings pitched, striking out three.

Six Ks and another zero on the board for @samhighfill11 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HtEsKONS3E

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 11, 2024

Highfill is now 5-1 on the year.

Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz started things off with an RBI Single in the Top of the 1st Inning.

A-Mak gets us on the board first 👊#Pack9 | @Alec_mak99 pic.twitter.com/Bcgi3M1bF6

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 10, 2024

In the Top of the 5th inning, Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth hit a solo shot to tie the game at three apiece.

Back in front! Luke with the go-ahead 😤 pic.twitter.com/iVejegp3Kw

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 11, 2024

In the Top of the 7th, a pair of Freshman  gave the Pack the lead. Left Fielder Luke Nixon and Designated Hitter Alex Sosa hit back-to-back RBI Singles.

Back in front! Luke with the go-ahead 😤 pic.twitter.com/iVejegp3Kw

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 11, 2024

*Squidward voice*…”FUTTTUURREEE”

Back-to-back two-out RBI singles from #Pack9 freshmen makes it 5-3 in the seventh! pic.twitter.com/ungJ4yTcxJ

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 11, 2024

In the Top of the 8th, Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington hit a 2-Run Home Run to seal the deal.

Doubled the lead with one swing 🫡#Pack9 | @Garrettpenn14 pic.twitter.com/1RJJo2P84y

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 11, 2024

Game 2 will be today at Noon.

Since the last 2024 Baseball Bracketology report, NC State won 1 of 2 against #8 FSU on the road, and shutout Norfolk St. 18-0 in a midweek game at Doak Field earlier this week. Before the Wolfpack hit the road to face #10 UVA in a 3-game series this weekend, here’s a look at where NC State is projected to land in the 2024 NCAA Tournament as things currently stand.

Last week, D1Baseball had NC State slated as a #2 seed in the Lexington Regional, with #5 seed Kentucky. This week, they moved the Wolfpack back to the Greenville Regional with #8 seed ECU.

D1Baseball

Last week, Baseball America had the Wolfpack as a #2 seed in the Greenville Regional with the #8 seeded Pirates. This week, they have NC State as a #2 seed in the Columbia Regional with #12 seed South Carolina.

Baseball America