Freshman second baseman Luke Nixon stood at the plate in a tie game in the bottom of the ninth. Nixon blasted the pitch into the outfield, driving in the game-winning run, clinching a 7-6 NC State win over Notre Dame.
After run-ruling the Fighting Irish (14-11, 2-9 ACC) the day before, the Wolfpack (17-7, 7-4 ACC) found itself in a tense fight for game two of the series. Despite Notre Dame throwing the kitchen sink at the red-and-white, the Pack held on for the series-clinching win.
Leading up to Nixon’s walk-off single, Notre Dame held all the momentum. Down by three in the eighth, the Fighting Irish got the break they needed with a wild pitch, allowing a runner to steal home. Suddenly within striking distance, Notre Dame hammered a two-RBI double that evened the score at six apiece.
The Pack finally stopped the bleeding and got to work in the ninth. First, the Wolfpack hit a pair of singles, then redshirt freshman designated hitter Drew Lanphere was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. With a 1-1 count, Nixon calmly sent the ball between the first and second basemen and into the outfield, allowing junior catcher Jacob Cozart to round home plate.
Not only was Cozart the game-winning runner, but he also proved to be the Pack’s best batter. In four at-bats, Cozart earned three hits and a walk. After a strong offseason, Cozart is validating every bit of praise he received.
Along with Cozart, Nixon shined at the plate. Before his walk-off single, the freshman blasted a grand slam in the sixth inning, down 3-1 with the bases loaded, Nixon delivered for the Wolfpack to seize a 5-3 lead. Nixon’s impressive showing concluded with two hits, five RBIs and two of the season’s most memorable moments.
Rounding out the red-and-white’s star batters was graduate third baseman Alec Makarewicz. The ECU transfer has been productive all season long, collecting RBIs in bunches. He added another RBI to his collection with a sacrifice out in the third inning that advanced multiple runners and drove in Nixon.
On the mound, redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Logan Whitaker earned the start and pitched four innings. Whitaker racked up seven strikeouts while giving up three runs. The veteran pitcher successfully limited Notre Dame’s bats, keeping the Pack in the game.
While Whitaker started, sophomore right-handed pitcher Shane Van Dam picked up the win. The reliever pitched for 1.1 innings and closed the game for the Pack. Only allowing one hit, Van Dam slammed the door shut on the Fighting Irish, saving NC State from an upset loss.
With the win NC State has won its second consecutive series and third total ACC series. After a shaky start, especially from its bullpen, the Wolfpack is settling into a rhythm and stacking wins.
NC State will wrap up its series with Notre Dame on Saturday, March 30, at Doak Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and is available on ACC Network Extra.
