Behind a six-run second inning and a dominant performance by junior lefthander Brian Brown, the NC State baseball team defeated Virginia Tech, 14-2, Sunday at Doak Field to sweep the series.
The Wolfpack has now won five straight and improves to 25-20 on the season (11-13 ACC). The Hokies fall to 20-26 overall and 8-16 in conference play.
“Our guys really battled,” head coach Elliott Avent said. “I thought we really came ready to play and started out really good and things just got better from there.”
In need of a series sweep for postseason contention, Avent turned to Brown on the mound, who came into the series finale with a 3.12 ERA in 34.2 innings on the season.
Virginia Tech turned to lefty Packy Naughton as it tried to avoid the sweep. Naughton came into the game sporting a 6.08 ERA in 47.1 innings pitched.
The Wolfpack was locked in on the diamond early on. Leadoff hitter and first baseman junior Stephen Pitarra got hit by a pitch, followed by single to left field from sophomore outfielder Josh McLain. Freshman designated hitter Brad Debo promptly hit a line drive single up the middle to load the bases. Junior shortstop Joe Dunand then grounded to the Virginia Tech second baseman, resulting in a fielder’s choice and plating Pitarra. Junior third baseman Evan Mendoza knocked a single to drive in another run, pushing the Pack’s lead to 2-0 after one inning.
Brown also looked sharp from the get-go, but he surrendered a run in the second as the Hokies cut the lead to 2-1.
“I have to execute,” Brown said. “I think I’m good enough to get any good hitting team out, I just have to execute and I think I’ll be fine.”
The Wolfpack threatened again in the second after a leadoff double by sophomore outfielder Brett Kinneman and a bunt single by junior catcher Andy Cosgrove put runners on the corners with no outs. Junior outfielder Brock Deatherage attempted to bunt, but ultimately struck out. Pitarra followed with a bunt back to the pitcher, who shoveled the ball home to nab Kinneman out. An infield single by McLain loaded the bases for Debo, who induced a walk to drive in a run. Dunand also drew a walk, which was the final straw for the Hokie starter Naughton.
Right-handed hurler Andrew McDonald came on to extinguish the fire for the Hokies, but tossed a wild pitch that allowed McLain to score. After a Hokie error, the Pack added another run to go up 6-1. Kinneman then rocketed a double to center to drive in two more.
When it was all said and done, the Wolfpack plated six runs on four hits in the inning to lead the Hokies 8-1 after just two frames.
The Pack continued to extend its lead in the fifth inning. After loading the bases with two outs, Dunand drew a walk to plate one run. Mendoza followed with a chopper past the shortstop to drive in two more runs and put the Wolfpack up 11-1 at the conclusion of the fifth inning.
Brown breezed through seven innings before being replaced by freshman closer Mathieu Gauthier on the mound. Brown saw seven strong innings, yielding just one run, four hits and three walks while striking out eight.
“I think I had a pretty live fastball,” Brown said. “I threw it more for strikes and not for swing and misses and I think that was really effective.
Freshman righthander Mathieu Gauthier tossed a scoreless eighth inning and sophomore righty Tim Naughton closed things out in the ninth, giving up a run as the Wolfpack took the contest 14-2.
“Brian Brown was incredible,” Avent said. “He made pitches when he had to, which is what he does, and he got us seven innings which was huge.”
The Pack will take on Delaware in a nonconference series next weekend at Doak Field.
