With one out in the top of the eighth inning Sunday, Virginia center fielder Tim Henry hit a towering homerun into the trees beyond the Doak Field fence off junior Eryk McConnell.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, it was their first and last run of the game, as McConnell cruised through eight strong innings striking out six and walking only one batter.
It was McConnell’s fifth win of the season, but more importantly, he said it was good for the team to bounce back after suffering a Clemson sweep the weekend before.
“This is a big sweep for us,” McConnell said. “It gives us momentum from last week and it’s real big to be back winning again.”
For McConnell the win was a positive cap to a weekend that began on a sour note. On Friday a childhood friend of his died in an automobile accident.
McConnell said dealing with the loss of his friend motivated him to go out and pitch well.
“I came out with the mindset today that I really needed a good outing,” McConnell said. “I wanted to dedicate this game to [my friend], so I came out focused and really determined to try and do everything I could to keep them from scoring.”
Coach Elliott Avent said he was impressed with McConnell’s performance, calling it “unbelievable” in a big-game situation.
“He’s what you want,” Avent said. “He’s exactly what you want on a Sunday when both teams are tired.
“If you get off to a good start you can make them doubt themselves and that’s what he did. He went out and filled up the strike zone with quality pitches.”
Along with the quality pitching, the N.C. State offense got on the scoreboard early and often, putting up four runs in the first two innings and scoring eight overall.
The eight-run output, however, was the lowest total of the series against the 17th-ranked Cavs. The Wolfpack scored 10 runs on both Friday and Saturday.
Sophomore second baseman Ramon Corona continued to have a hot bat going 7-14 and driving in three runs over the weekend.
“I’ve been trying to get into a rhythm,” Corona said. “And I’ve been feeling a lot better and more comfortable at the plate.”
The sweep improves State’s record to 25-8 overall and 8-4 in the ACC, which puts the Pack a game behind Florida State, who sits atop of the Atlantic division of the league.
Avent said he feels fortunate for the team to be in such a good position given the strength of the conference.
“It’s a tough league,” Avent said. “I mean [Virginia] swept Clemson, a team that swept us. You just have to be ready to play every weekend and our guys played so well this weekend.”
Conference play will continue for State as it hosts Wake Forest, also 8-4 in the ACC, for a three-game series starting Friday night.