The NC State baseball team defeated the UNC-Greensboro Spartans 8-3 Wednesday night. The game was the second in a two-game series between the teams, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Coming into the game, the Wolfpack (11-8, 2-4 ACC) had lost four straight games, including a 7-3 loss to the Spartans Tuesday night. Senior outfielder Jake Fincher recognized the importance of earning a win to end the team’s skid.
“It was really important win for us.” Fincher said. “Just to get some positive vibes and win to take with us to Boston College.”
The eight runs scored surpassed their total runs scored during the losing streak. Wolfpack head coach Elliott Avent still kept things in perspective and found areas that still need improvement.
“We didn’t swing it very well tonight; we left 13 men on base,” Avent said. “We have to play better. It doesn’t matter if we are playing in Florida, the Bahamas or Sandusky, Ohio, we have to play hard and play better.”
Starting on the mound for the Pack was junior left-hander Brad Stone, while the Spartans sent out junior right-hander Keaton Haack.
Stone came into the game with an ERA of 1.08, a breath of fresh air to a State team that allowed 24 runs over the past four games, including seven runs Tuesday night against the Spartans.
Though Spartans second baseman Hunter King was walked in the first inning, the runner threat was quickly neutralized by Stone who threw a pickoff attempt to first baseman Preston Palmeiro to get the second out of the inning. The Pack would later end the top of the first without surrendering a run.
In the bottom of the first, senior Logan Ratledge and Palmeiro were both able to get on base, but were not able to score and the game remained tied at zero apiece.
After loading the bases early in the second, senior shortstop Joel McKeithan would hit a single to center field to bring Armstrong home and take the early 1-0 lead for the Wolfpack. Freshman outfielder Brock Deatherage would also drive in a run as well to increase the lead 2-0.
After loading the bases with two outs in the third inning, Spartans third baseman Collin Woody would hit a two-run RBI single to tie the game at two all. Spartans first baseman Aaron Wright would ground out to 2B to end the inning with the score still tied.
The Spartans would bring in relief pitcher Daniel Dulaney after Haack allowed two runs in the second inning.
After loading the bases with two outs in the third, Dulaney would walk McKeithan, bringing Dejuneas to score and retake the lead. McKeithan would eventually get out on a fielder’s choice and the inning would end with the Pack leading 3-2.
After giving up a walk and a base hit with one out in the fourth inning, Stone would be relieved by pitcher Joe O’Donnell. Stone only gave up two runs during three and third innings of work, but also gave up five walks. Avent was proud of the effort shown by his pitcher.
“He’s trying to get back to where he was, but Brad got us off to a great start,” Avent said.
O’Donnell would escape the inning without letting a run score, preserving the 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the fourth.
The Spartans would replace Dulaney in the top of the fifth with freshman reliever Cody Finch after Dulaney walked his first two batters in the inning.
After loading the bases, Fitch surrendered a two RBI single to Fincher increase the lead. Shepard would later strikeout and end the inning with the pack leading 5-2.
The Spartans would not give up though. In the sixth inning, they tacked on a run Ruiz drove in Wright with an RBI single. Ruiz would later be picked off at second to ending the inning with Pack still leading 5-3.
O’Donnell would be relieved by junior reliever Will Gilbert after O’Donnell went 2.2 innings during the game. Gilbert would pitch two innings without surrendering a single run.
The Pack would tack on three more runs in the eighth inning and closer Jon Olczak would close the game with the final of 8-3.
The player of the game was McKeithan, who went 1-3 with three RBIs. While he said he was happy with the win, he simply remained focused on the team’s next opponent.
“We definitely needed to get rolling, and try and get something going before we play Boston College,” McKeithan said.
The relievers O’Donnell, Gilbert and Olczak also had strong playing combined for 5.2 innings of relief pitching including six strikeouts.
“I think our bullpen has been consistent all year,” Fincher said. “We are proud of them.”
The Wolfpack will travel to Chestnut Hill this weekend to take on the Boston College Eagles in a three-game series and hope to improve their 1-5 road record. Avent announced that sophomore pitcher Cory Wilder will get the start Friday.
