NC State rallies late to beat UNC, secure series win over Tar Heels

Looking lackluster for much of the night, the Pack score three in the bottom of the 8th to top the Heels, 5-4

NC State made numerous miscues Friday night against UNC, but put together a late rally to secure a 5-4 win over the Tar Heels and in the process secure the series victory.

UNC struck first for the second straight night, with Vance Honeycutt hitting a high 1st inning pop-up that carried just enough to make it over the fence for a solo home run. It seemed to be that type of night for State for much of the evening, as evidenced by Brandon Butterworth hitting a laser that hit a foot short of clearing the left field wall in the 2nd inning, but ultimately being stranded for a scoreless frame for State.

It took until the 3rd inning for the Wolfpack to respond to UNC’s early lead. Luke Nixon was hit by a 2-2 pitch and Eli Serrano followed with a single to move Nixon to third base. Garrett Pennington followed with a double down into the left field corner to score Nixon.

Unfortunately, the next three batters went down in order to strand both runners in scoring position.

Parks Harber hit a one-out solo home run in the 4th to move the Tar Heels back in front and they extended that lead with a two-run 5th inning. Those two runs came courtesy of yet another solo home run – this one by Gavin Gallaher – followed by an Alex Madera walk and Colby Wilkerson double.

NC State had its second near-miss homer of the game in the 5th inning with Luke Nixon hitting a rope off the wall in right field to start the inning, but the bounce off the wall and the throw in from Anthony Donofrio resulted in an out at second base. Again, it just seemed like that kind of night for the Pack.

The game remained at a 4-1 score until the bottom of the 7th when State finally got back on the board. Luke Nixon walked with two outs, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored on a Serrano single to center field.

With Jaxon Lucas keeping UNC off the board in the top of the 8th, State made the most of the bottom of the inning, plating three runs and grabbing their first lead of the game. Josh Hogue and Alec Makarewicz led off the inning with back-to-back singles. A questionable decision to sacrifice bunt with Jacob Cozart resulted in a 1-5 fielder’s choice and essentially a freebie out given to the Tar Heels.

Thankfully, Brandon Butterworth decided to keep his hot hitting alive and drove in Makarewicz from second with a single to center field, with Cozart moving to third on the play.

A wild pitch scored Cozart and moved Butterworth up a bag. Chase Nixon grounded out to second base, advancing Butterworth to third, and then a passed ball scored Butterworth to put the Pack ahead.

Jacob Dudan came on to pitch the 9th and never let the Tar Heels threaten. He induced two groundballs – with very nice defensive plays by Luke Nixon on each, and a nice scoop at first by Pennington on the second of those – and then froze Honeycutt looking to end the game.

The Wolfpack out-hit the Tar Heels, 11-5, and both clubs played error-free games.

Pennington (3-for-4, 2B, RBI), Serrano (2-for-4, RBI), Hogue (2-for-4, 2B), and Butterworth (2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI) each tallied multiple hit games. Makarewicz (1-for-3, R, BB) and Luke Nixon (1-for-1, 2 R, BB, HBP) also each reached base safely multiple times in the game.

Dominic Fritton (6.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 7 K) wasn’t as sharp as he was a week ago against Clemson, but despite giving up three home runs, he limited the damage that the Tar Heels were able to do. UNC has hit 8 home runs in the two games, but 7 of those have been solo shots. Lucas (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K) looked sharp in picking up his first collegiate win. Dudan (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K) picked up his 4th save of the year.

NC State will go for the series sweep on Saturday at 3:00pm with the game being broadcast on the ACC Network Extra (the ESPN app).