After spiking Wolfpack Nation’s blood pressure the day before with a walk-off single, No. 14 NC State baseball easily handled Towson 15-4 in game 1 and 10-0 in game 2.

NC State put up runs in both games but did it in two different styles. In the first game, the Pack accumulated 16 walks on its way to 15 runs, and in the second game, it crushed six home runs to hang 10 runs.

“They gave us some free bases in the first game,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “[In the second game] I thought we did a good job putting good swings on good pitches and ran a few out of the ballpark and that was a difference in that game.”

Game 1

The Pack (8-2) offense exploded in two different innings against the Tigers (1-9) to cruise to an easy victory. A six-run first inning and an eight-run fifth inning put the game out of reach for Towson.

Like the past couple of games, the Wolfpack offense came out of the gates hot with six runs in the first after a scoreless top inning from the Tigers. NC State didn’t power its way to six runs, but instead put the ball in play and used plate discipline to draw walks.

Six different players drew a walk with one resulting in a free run while two other runs came from a balk and wild pitch. In total, the Pack collected just three hits in the inning but managed to put six runs on the board because of the discipline it showed at the plate.

Before the Wolfpack offense came back to life in the sixth inning, sophomore left-handed pitcher Dominic Fritton was in the midst of his third start of the season. Fritton started the day strong striking out two batters in the first inning and striking out another in the second while giving up no runs.

He then gave up a two-run home run in the third inning but bounced back and got out of the inning with no more damage. Fritton had a clean fourth inning but then was taken out in the middle of the fifth after giving up two more runs. 

The preseason All-American has had an underwhelming start to the season as he hasn’t made it through five innings in three starts and walked a career-high five batters against Towson.

With the Tigers attempting a comeback, NC State shut the door in the bottom of the fifth with an eight-run inning. Much like the first inning, it set up its scores with walks and advancing runners one base at a time.

Graduate third baseman Alec Makarewicz saw enough of the walks so he smashed his fifth home run of the year to bring in two runs. It was one of the two hits for the Pack in the inning in which it still managed eight runs.

With NC State up by more than 10 runs through seven innings, the game ended early due to a run rule.

Game 2

The Wolfpack seemingly grew tired of being patient at the plate in game two and decided to score most of its runs via the long ball. Four players hit their first home run of the year and junior catcher Jacob Cozart added two more as he hit three total in the doubleheader.

In the first inning, graduate first baseman Garrett Pennington notched his first home run in a Wolfpack uniform. The very next inning sophomore center fielder Eli Serrano knocked his first home run of the season off the scoreboard to drive in two.

Then in the fourth inning, two more players hit their first home runs for NC State. Freshman second baseman Luke Nixon smashed his first career home run and that was directly followed by a blast from junior shortstop Brandon Butterworth.

The last home run of the day once again came off the bat of Cozart for his third of the day and second of game two. Cozart had a lot of hype around him coming into the season and so far the junior catcher has exceeded those expectations.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like that,” Cozart said. “I was just happy that I could help contribute to our wins, just having fun with the guys.”

While the Wolfpack offense was busy smashing balls out of the park, redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Logan Whitaker shut down the Tigers’ offense. 

In six innings, Whitaker gave up no runs, threw four strikeouts and allowed just five hits. Even though Whitaker was the starter in this game he has been coming out of the bullpen this season after being the Friday night starter in 2023. The redshirt senior could’ve easily been frustrated with no longer being a starter but he’s welcomed the role.

“I always say Logan Whitaker exemplifies what a college athlete is all about,” Avent said. “What he’s done personally, to get back after injuries early in his career and just always persevere and never giving up and never not believing in himself and what he’s done has been tremendous and then you take that to today … that takes a great mentality, but that’s who he is.”

Once again, NC State got up to 10 runs in the seventh inning, forcing the second run rule of the day.

The final game of the series between the Wolfpack and the Tigers will be played Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m.