DURHAM, N.C. — NC State baseball lost to Duke in an uncompetitive contest 5-1 Friday night at Jack Coombs Field. This was the Pack’s third loss in a row, and its 11-game win streak feels like ancient history.
The Pack (17-9, 4-3 ACC) could not get anything going on offense against Duke (18-9, 6-4 ACC), putting 10 runners on base but only reaching scoring position five times while not reaching third base until the top of the ninth. The Pack eventually broke through in the ninth, putting one run on the board with redshirt sophomore catcher Drew Lanphere tallying an RBI single, but that’s all the Wolfpack managed.
On the mound, junior left-handed pitcher Dominic Fritton had a slightly below-average day based on his previous performances this season. In his last four starts, Fritton had gone at least six innings while giving up two runs or less, but against the Blue Devils, he allowed four runs in 5.2 innings pitched.
But his struggles were not the issue for the Pack. He held Duke to two runs through the first four innings, but a poor fifth inning doubled the Duke lead. With no signs of life from the offense, Fritton’s command seemed to diminish.
Graduate right-handed pitcher Matt Willadsen, who has struggled this season with a 14.85 ERA, replaced Fritton in the sixth. Willadsen used to be the Wolfpack’s ace, but coming off Tommy John surgery, he hasn’t looked like his old self. Against Duke, Willadsen threw 2.1 innings, giving up just one run on two hits and three walks, keeping the Pack just in reach of the Blue Devils. But the offense just could not get going.
Willadsen returning to his old form could be a significant boost for a bullpen that has seen its younger members struggle.
In the first eight innings, the three Wolfpack hits came from two bloop singles into the shallow outfield, and a well-placed bunt.
The only player who could solve the Blue Devils pitching was freshman center fielder Ty Head, going 2-4 at the plate, contributing with a bunt single and one of the bloopers. It is no surprise that Head led the charge on a dismal day, as the freshman leads the team with a .505 on base percentage.
The Pack struck out eight times, but its struggles came more with weak contact. It grounded out 11 times and popped out to the infield four times. When it did reach base, the Pack couldn’t manage to get a rally going, as there was not an inning where more than five batters appeared at the plate.
When the game seemed to be over in the ninth, head coach Elliott Avent emptied his bench, pinch hitting guys in spots they wouldn’t normally play, such as playing sophomore infielder Matt Ossenfort for junior outfielder Brayden Fraasman. This maneuver somewhat worked — at least to produce one run. But once the Pack got back to the top of the order, it succumbed to the same struggles it had faced all game, as senior shortstop Justin DeCriscio grounded out to second base for an easy putaway to end the game.
The Pack will run it back Saturday against Duke at Jack Coombs Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
