No. 23 NC State baseball struggled to find offensive consistency and fell 9-5 to No. 10 Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, tying the series after the Pack won the opener.
The Wolfpack (28-19, 14-11 ACC) was thoroughly outplayed by the Cavaliers (37-13, 15-11), setting up a pivotal game three to decide the series.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Dominic Fritton started on the mound for the Pack. After holding the Cavaliers to one hit through the first two innings, Fritton appeared to be in for a solid game. However, Virginia knocked four straight hits in the bottom of the third, earning the first two runs of the game. The Cavaliers went on to score four runs across the following two innings, including back-to-back home runs in the fifth.
Fritton was retired with two outs in the sixth inning. He finished his stint giving up 11 hits, six earned runs, and four strikeouts. Fritton has had some tough losses in his starts this season, allowing five runs to Georgia Tech and seven runs to Louisville. However, he has led the Pack to several statement wins, giving up zero runs to then-No. 2 Clemson and four runs to then-No. 11 UNC Chapel-Hill.
One of the Wolfpack’s standout performers was graduate first baseman Garrett Pennington, who carried the Pack offensively with three hits, two RBIs, two runs, and a hit-by-pitch in five plate appearances. Pennington provided stability on a day when the Wolfpack had five hitless innings and scored just one run through the first seven innings.
Though the Wolfpack bats struggled most of the game, it finally found some offense in the eighth inning. Entering the frame down 6-1, the Pack hit four straight singles to score a run and load the bases. Junior shortstop Brandon Butterworth immediately followed, forcing a fielder’s choice that allowed Pennington to reach home plate. However, with two runners on base and just one out, the Pack faltered in the batter’s box, recording two quick outs to end the run.
The Cavaliers opened the bottom of the eighth with two outs and a walk. It looked as though a comeback could be in the works for the Pack. Any hopes were immediately destroyed as Virginia knocked three straight hits to score three runs, ending the inning with a 9-3 lead.
Pennington ended his impressive day in the batter’s box with a two-run bomb, his 13th of the season, in the ninth inning but it proved to be too little too late. Graduate third baseman Alec Makarewicz struck out immediately after to seal the Pack’s fate with a final score of 9-5.
Despite the loss, NC State still has the opportunity to earn its fourth conference series win against a ranked opponent. The Pack has already downed Duke, Clemson and UNC, all of which are ranked inside the top 11 in the nation. A fourth series win against a top-ranked opponent would help solidify the Pack’s claim as one of the best teams in the ACC and the potential to host a regional in the NCAA Tournament.
The Wolfpack heads into a pivotal game three on Sunday, May 12. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
