Freshman left-hander Jimmy Gillheeney went 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, while striking out four Boston College batters Sunday in a 6-2 State victory that nailed down a three-game sweep.
For Gillheeney, it was his third collegiate win and the second straight over an ACC opponent. And according to coach Elliott Avent, the Providence, R.I.-native out-dueled “one of the best pitchers in the country” to get it.
Terry Doyle, the Eagles’ starting pitcher, won the pitcher of the year award in the Cape Cod League — a summer all-star league for college players — this past summer. Through the first four innings Sunday, neither Gillheeney nor Doyle gave up a run, and both allowed just one hitter to reach the base.
“Both guys were just filling up the strike zone, and the first five innings were played in about an hour,” Avent said. “But Jimmy really kept us right there until we were able to [score] a couple of runs.”
Those runs came in the top of the fifth inning after senior catcher Caleb Mangum doubled and scored on junior infielder Mike Roskopf’s double. Roskopf then made it 2-0 when sophomore third baseman Drew Martin drove him in with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Roskopf homered in the eighth to score the Wolfpack’s sixth and final run.
For State, Sunday’s six-run output was the lowest of the three-game set. The Pack scored 24 runs Friday and 10 more on Saturday.
In the series, State outscored Boston College 40-7, which was quite a contrast from a stretch earlier in the season where the Pack failed to score more than six runs in 11 of 12 games. Avent said the improved offense is a result of the team gaining confidence and finally putting to use the techniques they’ve been harping on in practice.
He said he noticed a difference in the team at Wake Forest last weekend, and that he saw a different team Wednesday against UNC-Greensboro.
“They’re starting to believe in themselves. And they’re starting to understand all the things that they’ve been taught all year,” Avent said. “You start teaching in the fall, and sometimes it takes a while for it to take place.”
In Saturday’s 10-1 victory, the performance of junior pitcher Andrew Brackman was the story. After allowing six runs on nine hits in four innings against Wake, the pre-season All-American right-hander bounced back with a seven-inning gem in which he gave up only one run on four hits while striking out seven.
And according to Avent, Brackman was outstanding despite having to pitch off a “sandy” mound that was much steeper than normal.
“Andrew, with his 6-foot-10-inch frame, I was a little worried about him throwing off that mound,” Avent said. “But after a tough first inning, he made some adjustments and went after some people. He was pretty special [Saturday]. He was hitting 96 miles-per-hour in the seventh inning before we took him out.”
With the three wins this weekend, State improved to 22-8 overall and 8-4 in the ACC. But the win also marked a milestone for Avent.
Sunday’s victory was the coach’s 400th at his alma mater. Avent, now in his 11th year as the Pack’s coach, has amassed a record of 400-243.
After the win though, Avent was only concerned with the immediate implications the series sweep could have on this season.
“It’s just nice to come out of here with three wins and play so well,” he said.
