RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State used a three-run eighth inning in front of an overflow crowd of 2,862 at Doak Field at Dail Park to down in-state rival East Carolina, 3-2, in dramatic fashion on Wednesday, April 4. The win, the Pack’s seventh in the last eight meetings between the two, increases State’s lead in the all-time series to 60-36.
The victory moves the Wolfpack to 23-8 on the season, while ECU slides to 21-9.
The Pirates staged an early two run lead by belting a pair of solo home runs off of Wolfpack starter Nate Karns. Harrison Eldridge put East Carolina on board with a shot to start the top of the fourth, while Brandon Henderson added another in the following inning.
Karns, who was replaced by Jake Kensmoe with one out in the top of the fifth, tossed 4 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs on 72 pitches.
Head coach Elliot Avent made some defensive adjustments to start the top of the sixth, placing Marcus Jones in center and moving Joe Florio to left. After Kensmoe hit Dale Mollenhauer with the first pitch of the inning, Avent made the switch and brought Clayton Shunick to the hill. Shunick quickly ended the inning, getting Stephen Batts to hit into a double play before fanning Ryan Tousley.
Henderson doubled to right with two outs in the top of the seventh and Drew Schieber followed with a screamer to second, but Dallas Poulk laid out to make the play, shutting the door on any ECU scoring threat.
The Pack made another pitching change in the top of the eighth with one out, sending Andrew Taylor to the mound. Eldridge quickly lined out to short, and Mollenhauer flew out to center to end the inning.
Running out of opportunities to score, NC State took control with three runs on two hits in the bottom of the eighth. Florio got hit by a pitch and took first to get things started. With that, East Carolina pulled the plug on Jason Neitz and sent Shane Matthews in to pitch. Florio advanced to second on a passed ball before Ramon Corona drew his career-high fourth walk of the game. A sac-bunt by Jones put runners on second and third with one out, before Ryan Pond sent Florio across the plate with a groundout to short.
On a 2-2 count, Pat Ferguson drilled a single through the left side, scoring Corona and knotting the score. Ferguson then took to second on a wild pitch and Caleb Mangum followed with a clutch base hit, again through the left side, allowing Ferguson to score, and giving the Pack its first lead of the ball game at 3-2.
State sent closer Eryk McConnell to the mound in the top of the ninth, putting Florio in center as Taylor took over in left. After fanning Stephen Batts, McConnell moved to left, while Taylor returned to the mound and walked Ryan Tousley.
McConnell then returned to the hill and got Corey Demp to hit into a 6-4-3 double play, closing out the ball game.
Taylor (1-1) was credited with the win as McConnell picked up his seventh save of the season. Matthews (2-3) took the loss.
NC State will return to work this weekend, hosting No. 1 Florida State for three games. The Pack and the Seminoles will play 7 p.m. affairs on Friday, April 6, and Saturday, April 7, before ending the series on Sunday, April 8, with a 1 p.m. afternoon finale.
Courtesy: Peyton Williams/NC State
