In its first series loss of the season, No. 13 NC State baseball left Atlanta, Georgia, with a brutal sweep. In its final two games of the series, the Pack fell 8-7 and 15-5 at Georgia Tech. The latter loss ended in a run-rule after just seven innings.
In its Saturday game, the Wolfpack (12-6, 3-3 ACC) certainly had the bats to win, but the bullpen fell apart. The late collapse wasn’t the first incident, and, moving forward, relief pitching could be a concern. The Yellow Jackets (15-4, 3-0 ACC) took full advantage and stormed back to clinch the series.
The red-and-white entered the pivotal eighth inning with a 7-5 lead. With freshman right-handed pitcher Jacob Dudan on the mound, the Yellow Jackets quickly placed two on base with a single and a walk. With a 2-1 count, Georgia Tech’s Bobby Zmarzlak blasted the series-winning home run to give the Yellow Jackets a one-run lead. Georgia Tech never relinquished its late lead and stole game two of the series from the jaws of defeat.
Prior to Zmarzlak’s homer, NC State seemed poised for a bounceback game. Freshman second baseman Luke Nixon hit a home run in the second, while the entire offense erupted in the fourth for a trio of runs. During the frame, Nixon reeled in a second RBI off a sacrifice-out that brought sophomore center fielder Eli Serrano III home. For the game, Nixon turned in a strong 1-3 hitting, two RBIs and a walk.
Nixon wasn’t the only freshman to stand out for the red-and-white. Freshman designated hitter Alex Sosa finished the game with a hit, a run and a walk, showcasing his potential at the plate. However, despite Sosa and the rest of the red-and-white’s efforts, it ultimately fell short.
The red-and-white fared significantly worse in its Sunday game. The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a three-run lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back. First, sophomore left-handed pitcher Dominic Fritton surrendered a home run. A costly throwing error then allowed the Yellow Jackets to extend their lead.
Determined to earn the sweep, Georgia Tech stepped on the Pack’s neck early and put it away in the second with another trio of runs. The Yellow Jackets continued their home run derby with a pair in the frame. With six quick runs, Georgia Tech had turned Fritton into a rambling wreck, forcing head coach Elliott Avent to end his game after just 2.2 innings. Facing 12 batters, Fritton gave up six runs, while earning three strikeouts.
NC State’s bullpen failed to stop the bleeding and gave out completely in the seventh. Georgia Tech racked up five runs in the frame, forcing the end of the contest with a run-rule victory. Another home run and several hits battered the Wolfpack and ultimately ended the contest as NC State found itself unable to do anything against the Yellow Jackets’ dynamic offense.
NC State baseball will return to the diamond on Tuesday, March 19, against Coastal Carolina. First pitch at Doak Field is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be available on ACC Network Extra.
