No. 22 N.C. State (23-8) manufactured just enough runs to pull out a comeback win over No. 21 East Carolina (21-9) on Wednesday night at Doak Field.
The Wolfpack scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the Pirates 3-2 behind a defense that turned four double plays and a pitching staff that limited ECU to six hits.
Coming into Wednesday’s game, ECU had won 15 of 17 contests. Coach Elliott Avent said games against quality teams like the Pirates are very important because of postseason implications.
“That’s a team that we might be competing with for a home site for a regional or a super regional in the postseason,” Avent said. “It just shows how good the two teams are and how every time they play each other, they come to play. I’m proud of our fans coming out tonight, and I’m glad they got to witness a great game.”
The overflow crowd of 2,862 fans made sure the stadium was loud during the game, especially during the pivotal eighth-inning rally. Senior catcher Caleb Mangum said the fans provided the team with a boost.
“I told [Ryan] Pond I got chill bumps coming across the field when the eighth inning was over because the place was rocking and rolling,” Mangum said.
“When I was up for that last at bat, I could barely hear myself think. The noise, beating on the wall and stomping — it was just a great atmosphere. I can’t say enough about that atmosphere. What a place to play.”
Junior first baseman Pat Ferguson credited the defense and pitching for keeping the Pack in the game and for being one of the strengths of the team this season.
“Our defense is really starting to step up, and we are pitching really well,” Ferguson said. “If we pitch well, we seem to buckle down and get really good defensive play. And our pitching has been phenomenal.”
The offense managed only three hits before its eighth-inning surge. Junior outfielder Joe Florio was hit by a pitch to lead off the eighth. Junior infielder Ramon Corona followed by drawing a walk — his fourth of the game.
After outfielder Marcus Jones’ RBI groundout, Ferguson and Mangum hit consecutive RBI singles to put State ahead. Redshirt junior pitcher Eryk McConnell, who pitched the ninth inning to get the save, said the close game is nothing new for the team this year.
“We’re just going to have to go out and manufacture runs like we do,” McConnell said. “We play small ball. We aren’t a team that’s going to hit 10 home runs in a game and get 15 runs. We have to manufacture just like we did there in the eighth — that’s our team. There are going to be some close games.”
Ferguson said the offense is not as explosive as last year’s team, but that the players are starting to get timely hits.
“That’s how we are,” Ferguson said. “We aren’t getting as many hits as last year’s team. We are starting to figure out when we need to get them. Everyone is starting to understand their role.”
Avent said the win should give the team some momentum and help them improve as they enter a key series against No. 1-ranked Florida State this weekend.
“This tells you things are starting to come together,” Avent said.
“We’re playing well. It lets the players arrive at the ballpark early really ready for practice to keep continuing to get better. You carry it over into practice knowing you’re starting to become a team and how well you can play if you put all the pieces together.”
