With a western wind whipping the flags in right field Sunday, N.C. State defeated Gardner-Webb 10-3 at Doak Field; capping a two-game, two-win series for the home team. The Wolfpack (5-0) shut out the Bulldogs (1-5) on Saturday 8-0, after the two teams cancelled the Friday match up because of the cold temperatures.

“We played really well,” coach Elliott Avent said. “After the game I talked with the Gardner-Webb coach, and he said ‘We’re not that bad. Boy, you guys are really good.’ But I told him I just thought we played really well.”

Junior Andrew Brackman picked up the Saturday win, and sophomore Eric Surkamp, Brackman’s high school teammate, earned credit for Sunday’s victory. Freshmen Jimmy Gillheeney and Sam Brown relieved Brackman on Saturday, and redshirt juniors Jeff Stallings and Eryk McConnell came in to relieve Surkamp after four innings Sunday.

“The pitching was unbelievable,” Avent said. “It all starts on the mound. If we can pitch like we did this weekend and play that kind of defense, we’re going to have a chance.”

While Avent used six pitchers this weekend, he used 14 different players as he continues to search for a starting defensive infield. Junior Ramon Corona, who has been a vital asset at second base for State the last two seasons, moved to shortstop during the first game and started there Sunday.

Corona said after Sunday’s game that he feels more comfortable at second base.

“Right now I feel a little more comfortable at second having played there the last two years, and I’ve been practicing there more,” Corona said. “At shortstop, there’s a little less time to throw and you have to charge the ball a little more, so there are certain differences.”

The coach said he is still trying to figure out his defensive infield and seeing Corona at shortstop gives him more options.

“I just decided I wanted to see Ramon at short, and he did a great job over there,” Avent said. “He made some great plays and was very steady over there. He just gives us another option and another weapon.

But I’m just trying to see what guys can do right now. Tommy Foschi is our shortstop right now.”

After Friday’s cancellation, State is trying to schedule a game for tomorrow afternoon, but Avent said all attempts have been unsuccessful so far.

“We have a bunch of calls into people, and we’re hoping,” Avent said. “We’ll call guys within a two or three hour radius to see if we can get someone.”

The Pack’s next game is Wednesday at 3 p.m. against North Carolina A&T at Doak Field.