After sweeping then No. 6 ranked North Carolina last weekend, the N.C. State baseball team, 24-18 (9-12 in ACC), looked to carry that momentum with them as it traveled to Charlottesville, Va., to take on the No. 1 ranked Virginia Cavaliers, 40-4 (18-3 in ACC). And the Pack experienced some success against the Cavs, as it was extremely competitive against Virginia, despite losing the series 2-1.

Saturday, N.C. State 6, Virginia 2

After spotting Virginia two runs in the first inning, junior starting pitcher Rob Chamra hit his groove as he shut down the Cavaliers the rest of the way pitching seven excellent innings, giving up just four hits, while striking out three batters. All of the scoring in the game came in two innings – the first for the Cavs and in the sixth inning for the Pack. During that inning, State was able to plate six men, including two off the bat of sophomore shortstop Chris Diaz as he batted in senior catcher Chris Schaeffer and sophomore second basemen Matt Bergquist on a double. That was all the run support Chamra and relief pitcher Chris Overman needed as it shut down the Cavs the rest of the way.

Saturday, Virginia 3, N.C. State 1

The Cavaliers managed to split the doubleheader on Saturday, as it pulled off the victory over the Pack in the second game of the day, 3-1. Junior ace Cory Mazzoni kept the Pack in the game giving up just three runs over seven and two-thirds innings. However, the State offense couldn’t get it going against Virginia pitcher Tyler Wilson, who scattered six hits, giving up just one run and striking out seven. Center fielder Brett Williams drove in the Pack’s only run, scoring Matt Bergquist on a single in the seventh inning.

Sunday, Virginia 7, N.C. State 6

Heading into Sunday’s rubber match game, State had a chance to take two straight series from two of the top teams in the ACC, and the nation. However the team fell just short of a comeback victory against the Cavs Sunday afternoon. Senior starting pitcher Grant Sasser got roughed up early, giving up three runs in just one and one-third of an inning, putting the Pack just too far behind to ever catch up. State cut the deficit to just two runs in the fourth inning as the Pack rallied with two outs, scoring three runs in the inning. However, the Cavs rallied back and scratched out two more runs to secure the victory and the series win.