In one of the wildest games this season, No. 14 NC State baseball topped Boston College 18-16. Both sides enjoyed success at the plate, but it was the Wolfpack that emerged victorious thanks to its 21 hits.
From the start, the Pack (12-2, 3-0 ACC) was hot in the batter’s box. The red-and-white made sure to get into the Eagles’ (7-6, 0-3 ACC) bullpen early. Boston College’s starting pitcher, Matthew Nunan, only lasted 2.1 innings before he was pulled. Boston College then cycled through five additional pitchers, none of which found much success.
Leading the charge early was graduate third baseman Alec Makarewicz. The ECU transfer started quick in the first with a three-run homer to seize an early lead. Makarewicz was responsible for two more RBIs as he blasted a pair of doubles to continue his impressive performance. Makrewicz is quickly becoming a fan favorite with his uncanny ability to drive in runs.
Not to be outdone, sophomore center fielder Eli Serrano III had a career day with three hits of his own, including two home runs. Serrano’s first homer came in the third inning, stretching the Pack’s lead to 7-1. Serrano’s second home run came in the fifth with two runners on base. With a full count, Serrano left no doubt, rocketing the ball past the outfield.
While the Eagles’ bats started slow, they too caught fire, chasing NC State throughout the game. Down 7-2 in the fifth, Boston College finally broke through and began to whittle the red-and-white’s lead down. After a hit-by-pitch and a two-run homer, sophomore left-handed pitcher Dominic Fritton was pulled in favor of sophomore right-handed pitcher Shane Van Dam. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, Van Dam’s stint in the game proved rocky as he gave up back-to-back solo home runs.
Van Dam was replaced by freshman right-handed pitcher Jaxon Lucas in the sixth, who briefly calmed the Eagles’ offensive wave in the sixth inning. While Lucas surrendered one run during his 1.1 innings of action, his steady play likely saved the Wolfpack from a complete collapse.
The Pack responded in the seventh with a decisive frame at the plate. Despite picking up a pair of quick outs, NC State settled into a steady rhythm at the plate. With senior right fielder Noah Soles in scoring position, Makarewicz drilled one of his two doubles. A single brought home Makarewicz, before a home run from sophomore left fielder Josh Hogue tacked on two more to seemingly put away the Eagles.
With a nine-run lead entering the eighth inning, the Pack appeared too far ahead for the Eagles to catch up. Appearances were deceiving, however, as Boston College nearly rallied and scored nine runs during the final two innings. Using three home runs and a slew of walks, the Eagles pulled within two before ultimately falling short. In the bottom of the eighth, graduate first baseman Garrett Pennington knocked a two-RBI double into left field that preserved the red-and-white’s lead for the 18-16 win.
Next up, NC State will host UNC-Greensboro in a midweek matchup on Tuesday, March 12. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be available on ACC Network Extra.
