After losing five of its last seven games, the NC State baseball team was in a tailspin heading into the first of its two midweek games. The Wolfpack took one step toward righting the ship on Tuesday, beating Elon 6-2 on the road.
The Wolfpack (9-8) was handed three runs in the sixth inning, which allowed it to take control of the game, and the Elon offense was not able to muster up a comeback.
Sophomore right hander Christian Demby earned the start, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing just one run on three hits. Senior right hander Joe O’Donnell was stellar in relief of Demby, allowing another run during 3.1 innings of relief, earning the victory.
The Phoenix was the first to draw blood, breaking a scoreless tie in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly.
The Wolfpack put two runners on in the sixth inning, but freshman catcher Brad Debo grounded back to the pitcher with two outs. Instead of ending the inning, Elon hurler George Kirby committed two errors, yielding three Pack runs.
Junior Shane Shepard did the same thing in the very next at-bat with a nearly identical result. The throw bounded into right field, allowing Debo to score and give the Wolfpack a 3-1 lead. All three runs were unearned.
The two teams traded home runs in the eighth, bringing the score to 4-2. The Wolfpack blast from junior shortstop Joe Dunand, his fourth of the year. Many of Dunand’s home runs have come late in games this season.
One theme for the Wolfpack this season has been the glut of talent the Wolfpack has at the catcher position. With Debo and sophomore Jack Conley grabbing all the attention, it can be easy to forget that the Wolfpack has a third talented catcher in junior college transfer Andy Cosgrove.
Cosgrove went 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI punctuated by a solo home run to left field in the ninth inning that pushed the Wolfpack lead to 5-2. Cosgrove is hitting .353 with four extra base hits in limited action for the Wolfpack this season. If he keeps producing at this clip, there is reason to believe he could continue to see additional playing time, probably at the expense of Conley, who is hitting just .194.
The Wolfpack added another run in the ninth on an RBI single by junior centerfielder Josh McLain, driving the lead to 6-2.
Sophomore lockdown reliever Austin Staley entered the game late and locked down his third save of the season to preserve the Wolfpack win.
The win brings the Wolfpack’s record over .500, with another midweek game on tap tomorrow against George Mason.
