There’s certainly no quit in the 2019 NC State baseball team. The Wolfpack mounted a four-run ninth inning to overcome a two-run deficit and beat Miami 6-4 on the road Sunday, wrapping up NC State’s first ever sweep of the Hurricanes.
After relinquishing a seventh-inning lead to enter the final frame down 4-2, the Wolfpack (23-1, 8-1 ACC) took advantage of a clutch game-tying single from sophomore outfielder Jonny Butler and a few vital mistakes from the Hurricanes (15-9, 3-6 ACC) to complete the comeback and earn its second ACC sweep of the season.
The Wolfpack ninth started off with sophomore infielder David Vazquez reaching on a fielding error, and coming around to score after a double from junior outfielder Lawson McArthur and another Miami error. Butler delivered the clutch, one-out single to score McArthur and tie the game at 4-4. Another Hurricanes’ error and a bases-loaded walk brought in the final two runs for the Wolfpack.
NC State junior righty Michael Bienlien picked up the win for the Pack, shutting down a Miami rally in the eighth inning and retiring the Hurricanes quickly in the ninth. Righty Daniel Federman took the loss for the Canes, giving up all four runs in the ninth, although just one was earned.
The Wolfpack opened the scoring in the first inning, as sophomore catcher Patrick Bailey singled home Butler from second base. Butler led the game off with a double down the line.
Miami answered to tie it up at 1-1 in the second, as three singles and a walk off of Wolfpack junior righty Andrew Blake brought in a run. Blake got his first weekend start of the season for the Pack Sunday, but lasted just 1.1 innings and gave up three hits and a run.
The Pack took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, as junior designated hitter Brad Debo delivered a clutch double to score freshman outfielder Tyler McDonough, who has been the Pack’s hottest hitter during ACC play. McDonough ripped a two-out single for his ACC-leading 40th hit of the season to set up the Debo RBI.
Miami tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning, before grabbing a 4-2 lead with a two-run eighth inning. Freddy Zamora delivered a sac fly to tie the game in the seventh, before Anthony Vilar and JP Gates added RBIs to go ahead in the eighth.
Despite the loss, the Hurricanes got a great start from righty Brian Van Belle, who tossed seven innings of two-run baseball. Van Belle gave up seven hits over his start, but also struck out seven Wolfpack batters.
The Pack utilized a slew of seven arms to get through the game, highlighted by a three-inning outing from sophomore lefty Canaan Silver.
NC State will have two midweek tilts coming up, as it will host Elon Tuesday before travelling to Greensboro to take on N.C. A&T Wednesday. The Pack will get back into ACC action next weekend, when it hosts Virginia at Doak Field.
