RALEIGH, N.C. –
Drew Martin had a career-high four hits and drove in three runs in leading NC State to a come-from-behind 14-4 victory over Appalachian State Sunday at Doak Field at Dail Park.
Martin was a perfect 4-for-4 on the afternoon, while
Jeremy Synan (three RBI) and
Nick Stanley (three runs) were each 2-for-4 in leading NC State (2-1) to score 13 unanswered runs after falling behind in the early innings.
The Wolfpack broke open a tight ball game with a five-run fifth inning to take a 9-3 lead.
Tommy Foschi led the charge with a two-run double to left, while Synan, Martin and
Domonique Rodgers each added RBI singles in the frame as the Pack batted around for the second straight inning.
Heading to the bottom of the fourth, Appalachian State (1-2) had a 3-0 lead when NC State got a rally going as the first three batters reached without the ball leaving the infield. Synan’s chopper was misplayed by the shortstop allowing
Nick Stanley to cross home plate with the Pack’s first run.
After a fielder’s choice groundout by
Marcus Jones, the Pack pushed across its second run of the inning when Rodgers was plunked with the bases loaded. After another fielder’s choice groundout with the bases full, Martin laced a double down the left-field line to give the Wolfpack its first lead of the afternoon, 4-3.
“Martin gave us a spark with a couple of defensive plays,” said NC State head coach Elliot Avent. “He got our first hit, and he gave us a spark with two big RBI hits in both the fourth and fifth innings.”
Pack lefty starter
Drew Taylor retired the first five batters fairly comfortably until Brett Stewart took his second-inning offering over the left-field wall for a 1-0 Mountaineer lead.
Stewart stuck again in the fourth inning with a two-out RBI single to left. That was followed by a double to right by Jerod Faggart that plated Stewart for a 3-0 ASU lead.
Faggart was 3-for-3 for the Mountaineers, while Stewart went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI.
“We knew going in Appalachian State was a good team with good players,” added Avent. “It was good to get the last game and win the series.”
Taylor made his first career start after 40 relief appearances over the past two years for the Wolfpack and lasted 3.2 innings allowing three runs on five hits. The Wake Forest, N.C., native struck out three.
ASU’s right-hander Jason Rook (0-1) cruised through the first three innings before being chased in the fourth after giving up four runs on only two hits in 3.1 innings of work with six strikeouts.
Joey Cutler (1-0) struck out three in earning the victory over two scoreless innings.
Jake Buchanan cleaned by working the final three innings for his first save.
“We have good pitching and Andrew Taylor got us off to a good start,” noted Avent. “
Joey Cutler came in and really pitched well. He got out of a jam and gave us an opportunity to build a lead. I was also very happy to see
Jake Buchanan get a chance to finish it off.”
In addition to his hitting exploits, Foschi made two brilliant plays in the field. First it was a diving play to his left off the bat of Hobson. Later in the third he featured a full-outstretched dive on a pop foul by Altenhof.
Dallas Poulk extended his hitting streak to 20 games with an RBI single in the seventh that made it 12-3.
NC State takes part in a tournament hosted by The Citadel next weekend in Charleston, S.C. Friday’s opponent is No. 22 Louisville – a 2007 College World Series participant. First pitch is slated for noon at Riley Park.
Courtesy: NC State
