The NC State baseball team topped Miami, 5-2, Saturday night at Doak Field.

The Wolfpack (11-8, 3-2 ACC) had its offense come alive and its pitching overpower the Hurricanes (8-11, 2-3 ACC) for its first ACC series win of the year.

“We got some big hits and we made some big plays defensively,” head coach Elliott Avent said. “I thought we played so well and I thought we played with a lot of heart.”

After three innings and only one hit apiece for each team, the Wolfpack threatened in the third inning when junior catcher Andy Cosgrove laid down a bunt single to start off the bottom of the third for the Pack. After a bunt popout by sophomore Brett Kinneman, junior centerfielder Josh McLain singled and freshman second baseman Will Wilson walked, loading the bases for Evan Mendoza.

Mendoza took one pitch before the game was delayed by lightning and rain for one hour and 33 minutes; the game resumed for just four pitches before the rain started once again. After one more brief intermission, Mendoza grounded into a double-play to end the bases-loaded threat for the Wolfpack and the game remained scoreless.

Unfortunately for the Pack, left-handed pitcher Brian Brown, who started the contest, was removed from the game due to the delay. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three Miami batters. Right-handed junior pitcher Tommy DeJuneas, also the designated hitter, came on to replace Brown.

After Miami tallied one run in the top half of the fifth inning, the Wolfpack picked up two runs of its own. When Cosgrove singled with one out, junior outfielder Brock Deatherage worked a walk to bring up McLain. McLain proceeded to rip a double down the left-field line to push Deatherage to third and score Cosgrove. Deatherage then raced home on a wild pitch, pushing the Wolfpack ahead, 2-1.

“Guys that weren’t confident early in the season are getting their confidence back,” McLain said. “Figuring out ways to get on base, not trying to hit doubles, not trying to hit home runs, just getting singles, that’s confidence right there.”

The Pack picked up three more insurance runs in the seventh, with Cosgrove again sparking the rally. Cosgrove doubled on a soft liner to left field, followed by consecutive singles, courtesy of Deatherage and McLain, scoring Cosgrove. Wilson tripled to bring in two more runs and push the score to 5-1.

Miami threatened in the ninth and picked up another run, but the Pack ultimately prevailed, 5-2.

NC State’s pitching performance held the Hurricanes in check, allowing just five hits and two runs overall. DeJuneas tossed three innings, surrendering the only Miami run and striking out two. Beckman, returning from injury, and righthander Austin Staley combined to close out the game, with Staley earning the save.

“It’s so great to have [Brown] back,” said Avent. “Pitching without Brian Brown for the first month of the season hasn’t been a lot of fun, and he comes out tonight and I thought he looked like the Brian Brown of old and he looked really, really good.”

The Wolfpack will go for the sweep tomorrow at Doak Field, with first pitch scheduled for noon.