The NC State baseball team took game one of a three-game series against Radford 6-3 on Friday night at Doak Field at Dail Park.
The Wolfpack (35-12) used a strong start on the mound from junior Jason Parker and big days at the plate from junior shortstop Will Wilson and junior designated hitter Brad Debo to power past the Highlanders (23-22).
Parker turned in a quality start, allowing two hits and two runs, both earned, over six innings. He walked three and only struck out one but was effective nonetheless.
The Pack took the lead in the bottom of the third when sophomore outfielder Jonny Butler scored on an RBI double from Wilson. The Highlanders responded in the top of the fourth with two runs on an RBI single and a bases-loaded walk. Parker was able to escape the jam by inducing a double play ball.
NC State retook the lead in the fifth on a two-RBI double from senior first baseman Evan Edwards. The Pack handed the 3-2 lead to sophomore pitcher Nick Swiney in the seventh who pitched around a two-out walk. In the bottom of the inning, the Wolfpack offense put the game away.
Butler started the inning with a single, his third hit of the day, before stealing second. Wilson drove him in with an RBI single, his second RBI of the day. After Edwards walked, Debo hit his second double of the day to score Edwards and Wilson and make it 6-2 in favor of the Pack.
Swiney pitched a scoreless eighth before running into trouble in the ninth. Junior Kent Klyman ended the game with a strikeout and pop out, stranding the tying run at first base and claimed his second save of the season in the process.
On the mound, the Pack continued to pitch well, particularly against Radford’s best hitter, Andrew Szamski, holding him without a hit. Zack Ridgley took the loss on the mound for the Highlanders, despite going six innings and allowing two earned runs.
NC State will go for the series win on Saturday behind sophomore Reid Johnston, who will start on the mound. The start of the game has been moved up to 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on the ESPN app.
