No. 19 N.C . State took down the 49ers of UNC-Charlotte Wednesday evening, 6-3, despite a shaky defensive performance and a slow start at the plate.
The first four and a half innings was a pitcher’s duel for both teams, with State’s lone run coming from freshman third baseman Trea Turner. Turner sent a leadoff solo shot over the wall in left field in the first inning to put the Pack up 1-0, his second home run of the season.
Charlotte fought back in the top of the third, however, as right fielder Brad Elwood was brought home following his leadoff double to tie things up at one apiece.
State opened things up a bit in the bottom of the fifth. Second baseman Logan Ratledge led off with a hit-by-pitch and was able to advance to third base on a sacrifice bunt and a passed ball. Turner came through with an RBI single to put the Pack up 2-1, his second RBI of the game.
Following a wild pitch, Turner advanced to second base. Shortstop Chris Diaz then singled up the middle to score Turner from second, giving State a 3-1 lead. Diaz advanced to second on yet another wild pitch and scored on a single from designated hitter Ryan Mathews, building the lead to 4-1.
Senior first baseman Andrew Ciencin then grounded out. Mathews made an attempt to go all the way to third base from first and ended up scoring on the throwing error from pitcher Wes Hatley , capping off a four-run inning and giving State a 5-1 lead.
The Pack struck again in the seventh; Turner tacked on his third hit of the game to start off the inning, a bunt single to the pitcher. He advanced to second base on the throwing error by pitcher John Hamilton. For the second time of the game, Diaz drove Turner home, this time hitting a ground-rule double down the right field line.
State held a comfortable 6-1 lead headed into the headed into the eighth, but Charlotte wouldn’t go out quietly. Four consecutive singles and a Wolfpack error helped the Niners put up another run and load the bases with only one away. However, a double play prevented any further damage as the Pack escaped allowing only one run.
Junior pitcher Chris Overman came in to close things down in the ninth for the Pack. After a fly ball for out number one, UNCC centerfielder Leland Clemmons hit a bomb well over the left field wall to cut the lead to 6-3.
Diaz then bobbled a grounder, allowing the runner to reach first on the error. In turn, Ratledge took in a liner to second base and tagged the runner for the unassisted double play to end the ball game.
Turner leads the nation in steals with 41, but didn’t have one against the 49ers . Instead, Turner had an impressive performance at the plate, going 3-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored.
“Teams have been paying more attention to me, so it’s getting harder and harder for me to steal,” Turner said. “I’ve been trying to give some opportunities to Chris [Diaz] to put the bat on the ball, which he has been doing. He’s been doing a good job of driving me in, so I haven’t had to create anything.”
State will take the field again Friday as it begins a three-game series with the Duke Blue Devils. Diaz believe that the team needs to improve its defensive efforts as the season winds down, but believes Wednesday night gives the team a good head start into the weekend.
“It’s important to win every series,” Diaz said. “If we approach every series and win every series, then a sweep is always a bonus.”
Head coach Elliot Avent was less than thrilled about the night’s performance and didn’t have many kind words to say about the night’s overall performance. However, Avent is banking on the team’s focus going into the weekend and not Wednesday night’s game.
“It’s not a good start to the weekend,” Avent said. “Fortunately, you don’t go off of momentum in baseball. Momentum is the focus you bring into the game and getting ready to play every game. Hopefully we’ll have a little more focus and energy on Friday night.”
