The NC State baseball team struck late to top Boston College 2-1 at Doak Field on Friday in its ACC opener.

NC State’s (12-2, 1-0 ACC) pitching kept the score close. Senior lefty Brian Brown went 7.1 innings, giving up one unearned run on only three hits. The only run was in the fifth inning when sophomore shortstop Will Wilson made an error with two outs. After a stolen base, BC (5-7, 0-1 ACC) hit a ground-rule double to take the 1-0 lead.

Wilson bounced back in a huge way for the Pack in the eighth inning. After senior outfielder Josh McLain doubled with one out, Wilson hit a clutch two-run home run to take the 2-1 lead.

Boston College would not score again. Hitless relief appearances by freshman Reid Johnston and sophomore Kent Klyman closed out the game. Johnston was credited with the win and Klyman earned his first career save.

The game featured phenomenal pitchers on both sides. Boston College’s starter Jacob Stevens went eight innings, giving up the two runs on five hits. In total, NC State had five hits and BC was credited with only three.

The impressive pitching slowed down hot-hitting junior outfielder Brett Kinneman, who has earned numerous player of the week awards. Kinneman went 0 for 3 with a walk.

NC State has pitched very well to open this season. Both the starters and relievers will need to be effective as the team continue into conference play. NC State also committed two errors in the conference opener. In total, the Pack has 14 errors on the season. State will need to clean that up for the best opportunity to stay in close games.

The ACC opening series continues with a doubleheader on Saturday at Doak Field. The first game is the second-annual ALS awareness game starting at 1 p.m. and the second game will follow.