DURHAM — NC State baseball may be known for its pitching staff, but it was the Wolfpack’s bats that stole the show in a 14-6 victory over Duke Saturday evening at Jack Coombs Field.
Snapping a three-game losing streak, the Wolfpack (18-9, 5-3 ACC) punched early and often, showing the team’s competitive fire against a red-hot Duke squad that had won six in a row coming in. The Blue Devils (18-10, 6-5 ACC) did their best to keep pace but were left in the dust by the end. The Pack hit four home runs, emphatically ending its losing streak to get things back on track.
“Players turn things around,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “Coaches don’t. They try to have a system, the right character people in place — if you can put the right system in, then players are the ones that turn it around.”
While the final score was lopsided, Duke pushed NC State early. The Blue Devils jumped on the red-and-white early with two runs in the first inning, including a homer on their first at bat of the day from Wallace Clark. It would have been easy for the Pack to fold early after scoring just one run the day before — instead, the Wolfpack punched back harder.
“This game can be unforgiving and can wear on the mental state of mind of a baseball player,” Avent said. “That’s what I’m most proud of — there’s some guys going through it right now, and you just gotta have the will to win.”
NC State’s bats came to life in the second inning, with four singles and a hit by pitch. Scoring on four straight at bats, the Pack stole momentum and stunned a Duke team that held the red-and-white to just four hits the night before. NC State never trailed past the second inning, instead keeping the pressure on Duke all game long.
The Tobacco Road rivals traded blows until the sixth inning, when NC State broke through and began hammering Duke. Senior shortstop Justin DeCriscio opened the frame with a shot to left field. What should have been just a double turned into more as the Blue Devils fumbled the ball in the outfield, allowing DeCriscio to make his way to third. Sophomore designated hitter Ryan Jaros then blasted his first home run in a Wolfpack uniform, breaking a 5-5 tie with the two-run blast.
The home run was a cherry on top for one of Jaros’ best outings of the season. With two hits, including a double and a homer, three runs and three RBIs, Jaros would not be denied. No matter which pitcher Duke threw his way — and it used six — Jaros made Duke pay.
“We’ll ride this game,” Jaros said. “Today showed us that we can be a really good offensive team.”
Along with Jaros, DeCriscio and junior right fielder Brayden Fraasman also showed out. Hitting 3-5 against the Blue Devils with a pair of doubles, DeCriscio was a man on a mission at the plate. The San Diego transfer also added a home run like Jaros. Meanwhile, Fraasman earned three RBIs on a pair of hits. However, even more impressive was an outstanding catch in deep right field in the bottom of the seventh inning.
NC State’s bats certainly put on a show, but freshman right-handed pitcher Anderson Nance proved to be just as critical for NC State. Putting in five innings of work — a rare number for any reliever — Nance consistently held Duke at bay en route to his fourth win of the season. With five strikeouts, the freshman confidently challenged and disposed of the Blue Devils.
“Anderson’s a beast,” Jaros said. “He’s just so consistent when he goes out there. He goes out there for long innings, he’s always getting strikes, so it’s very easy to play for him.”
NC State will conclude its series against Duke on Sunday at 1 p.m. With each team taking a game so far, the series will be on the line, giving NC State a chance to win its third straight series in ACC play.
