No. 13 NC State men’s baseball suffered another woeful pitching performance in its road opener, falling 8-5 to Georgia Tech at Russ Chandler Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Wolfpack (12-4, 3-1 ACC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Yellow Jackets (13-4, 1-0 ACC) scored seven runs between the fifth and sixth innings, which proved too much to overcome. Graduate right-handed pitcher Sam Highfill started on the mound for the Pack, throwing five innings and giving up five runs.

Highfill started well, facing the minimum number of batters in the first and second innings, then just gave up one run in the third before getting out of the frame with a strikeout. The graduate pitcher looked on his way to a solid start, but things started to unravel in the fifth inning.

Georgia Tech grounded out and fouled out for two quick outs but the next at-bat Yellow Jackets third baseman Carson Kerce blasted a solo home run. The solo shot shook Highfill as he walked the next batter and then gave up another home run to center fielder Drew Burress. What looked like what would be another clean inning for Highfill turned into a disaster with the second home run proving to be the game-winner.

The Yellow Jackets weren’t done though. Highfill came out for the sixth inning but did not record an out before being replaced by senior right-handed pitcher Hollis Fanning. Fanning immediately gave up a two-run home run to former Pack9 member shortstop Payton Green.

Two more runs were tacked on before the end of the sixth to give the Yellow Jackets a commanding 8-3 lead. 

While Georgia Tech was busy hitting the ball out of the ballpark, the Pack’s bats went cold for the second consecutive game. The Wolfpack put only three runs on the board through the first eight innings before adding on two more in the ninth inning. 

NC State opened the scoring via a two-run home run by graduate first baseman Garrett Pennington at the top of third but only scored three more runs after the blast. The Wolfpack had opportunities to make noise with runners on base but failed to capitalize, leaving 10 runners on base.

Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets took advantage of runners on base, just leaving four runners stranded with two of their home runs driving in two. While none of Georgia Tech’s pitchers put up phenomenal stats, they all did their job of limiting damage.

Four pitchers combined to throw nine innings for the Yellow Jackets and only gave up two extra-base hits for the game. And after Georgia Tech took out its starting pitcher after four innings, the bullpen locked down, giving up just three hits over five innings.

The Wolfpack offense isn’t of concern because it’s shown consistently it can put runs on the board, but the pitching continues to rear its ugly head. Over the past three games, the Pack has given up 42 runs and has lost two of those games after starting the season 12-2.

Next, NC State will look to break its losing streak in the second game of the series against Georgia Tech on Saturday, March 16. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.