The NC State baseball team (17-0) trounced George Mason (8-6) in a decisive 18-3 victory Wednesday at Doak Field.
The Patriots opened the scoring the second inning with a leadoff home run by Tim Quinn. The Wolfpack quickly responded with two runs of its own after a leadoff walk because of a pair doubles by sophomore third baseman David Vazquez and sophomore left fielder Jonny Butler.
After advancing two baserunners into scoring position, George Mason evened up the scoreline in the top of the third via a fielder’s choice, tying the contest at two runs apiece.
The third inning saw the final score begin to take root as the Pack strung together six runs, starting with a two-run homer by freshman center fielder Tyler McDonough. The dinger was immediately followed by a ground-rule double by junior designated hitter Brad Debo.
NC State kept the offense rolling as sophomore right fielder Terrell Tatum drew a walk and sophomore second baseman J.T. Jarrett beat out a throw to first on a fielder’s choice. Another walk by Butler sent another run home to put the Pack up 3-2.
A two-RBI single by junior shortstop Will Wilson was compounded by a throwing error by George Mason’s shortstop, resulting in a third run scoring in favor of the Pack on the play. The inning ended with State up by a score of 8-2.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth innings, the Wolfpack offense once again exploded in the bottom of the sixth, putting 10 runs across. The rally was initiated by a leadoff home run by Wilson. After two walks and a fielder’s choice put runners at first and second with one out, a single by Debo loaded the bases for State.
An error on a fielder’s choice by the Patriots’ second baseman resulted in no outs, kept the bases loaded and sent another run home, putting the Pack up 10-2. Vazquez then walked, forcing another run to score.
A call to the bullpen by George Mason failed to end the scoring as Jarrett cleared the bases with a double down the left-field line, making it 14-2. After a Butler single put runners at the corners, and Wilson fouled out to third base, a Bailey single into left field scored yet another run and an error from the left fielder allowed the next baserunner to score.
After freshman Luca Tresh came in to pinch run for senior first baseman Evan Edwards, who walked, McDonough sent a double into left field to score another two runs, making it 18-2.
A scoreless seventh and eighth innings led to the top of the ninth, where a two-out rally by the Patriots scored one run via a fielding error when the bases were loaded. The rally was extinguished shortly thereafter when the last batter struck out looking, cementing the final result of a Wolfpack win by a score of 18-3.
NC State will try to continue its undefeated start when it faces Florida State at Doak Field on Friday. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m.
Junior catcher Brad Debo sprints to first base against Minnesota on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Doak Field. Debo went 2-5 with one run batted in and two strikeouts including the walk-off base hit to give the Wolfpack the 5-4 win.
