N.C. State (21-9) used a seven-run fifth inning to propel themselves to a 12-5 win over the No. 24 ranked UNC Wilmington (23-6-1) on Tuesday night at Doak Field at Dail Park. Every player that started for the Wolfpack scored a run in the game as the team won its seventh straight contest.
Senior outfielder Ryan Pond led the team with three hits, including a monstrous home run that cleared the centerfield scoreboard in the second, and three RBIs in five plate appearances. That continues Pond’s recent hot streak — he was named National Hitter of the Week for his performances last week. Over his last six games, Pond is hitting a blistering .600 with 15 hits, 14 RBI’s and two home runs. Pond credited his teammates for his current streak.
“It all comes back to my teammates,” Pond said. “I couldn’t have done this without them getting on base for me. They took a lot of pressure off me and I just went out there and had a pretty good week.”
The Pack has been hot as a team lately as well, winning seven straight games and scoring 10 or more runs in four of those contests. Redshirt junior first baseman Pat Ferguson, who homered and drove in two runs, said the team has been playing great baseball over the last few games.
“Everyone’s starting to come together and figure out what they can do to help the team,” Ferguson said. “Everyone is clicking on all cylinders hitting-wise. Everyone has done a really good job staying with their approach and knowing what they can do and not doing too much.”
Coach Elliott Avent attributed the good hitting to better preparation.
“Early in the season, we didn’t have a plan when we went up to the plate,” Avent said. “It wasn’t really the number of hits we were getting, which was not good; it was just how we went to the plate. They’ve done a great job of sticking with things and working on things. They’ve even taken a plan to batting practice and it has all come together. We had so many great at bats tonight.”
UNC Wilmington has been one of the hottest teams in the nation this season, as well, as the Seahawks recently ended a 21 game win streak and had won 22 of their last 23 going into the contest. State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first two innings and never trailed. Ferguson said getting an early lead has been one of the key points the coaching staff has emphasized.
“We’ve got some younger pitchers pitching in the weekday games and it’s so much easier to pitch when you have a lead,” Ferguson said. “For us to be able to get a lead makes defense easier, too. That’s one of the main things we want to do — score first.”
Pond also touched on the importance of an early cushion.
“With a pitching staff like we have, if you get a few runs that’s all you have to do,” Pond said. “Come out swinging the bats early, our pitching staff will keep us in the ballgame, and play solid defense. That’s usually a winning recipe.”
After State jumped out to the 4-0 lead, Wilmington scored three runs in the third on a pair of home runs to left field. The Pack blew the game open in the fifth. The team sent 12 batters to the plate and collected seven runs on seven hits, five of them doubles. The offensive explosion took its toll on the Seahawks’ pitching staff as well. Wilmington used a
season high eight pitchers in the game, including three during the decisive fifth inning.
Avent said the success the team has enjoyed is even more impressive considering the large number of games they have been playing. Most weeks, the team plays five games, leaving little time for practice and classes.
“It has been tough on the players,” Avent said. “Every game you have to come with great focus. It has taken a toll on them for sure, but they have responded like champions.”
