The No. 8 NC State Wolfpack baseball team continued its season opening offensive surge Wednesday as it defeated the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks 5-2 at Doak Field.
The Wolfpack (7-2) came into the game on an offensive tear, scoring five runs or more in seven-straight games, while the Seahawks (6-1) had scored 10 runs or more in all six of their games this season.
Starting on the mound for the Wolfpack was redshirt junior Karl Keglovits, who was starting in place of redshirt junior Johnny Piedmonte, who tweaked his back in practice during a bullpen session.
“He told me he’s 50/50,” Avent said following the team’s win against UNC-Greensboro Tuesday. “He tweaked something from his back during a bullpen session, and that changed everything we had planned for the Wilmington game.”
Keglovits got in an early jam in both the first and the second, putting runners in scoring position in both innings, but managed to escape to keep the game knotted up at zero.
Senior designated hitter Chance Shepard scored the first run from either team with a left field solo home run to get NC State on the board. NC State failed to capitalize on the momentum, however, and the Wolfpack led 1-0 going into the third inning.
The homer by Shepard was the senior’s fifth home run in just as many games. Shepard remained humble about the recent praise he has been receiving from people, especially from Avent, who has described him as one of the best power hitters he has ever seen.
“It’s big time praise, since he’s had lot of big power hitters here,” Shepard said.
The Seahawks finally capitalized on the Wolfpack’s mistakes in the top of the third inning. Following a double by first baseman Gavin Stupienski, catcher Nick Feight reached first on a fielding error by Wolfpack sophomore second baseman Evan Mendoza, allowing Stupienski to score. The Seahawks failed to score more runs, and the game remained tied at one apiece.
The Wolfpack offense picked up in the bottom of the frame, as Shepard, sophomore shortstop Joe Dunand and Mendoza all had an RBI in the frame. NC State had a three-run cushion going into the fourth, 4-1.
The pace of the game picked up following the bottom of the third. Both teams breezed through the next two innings without surrendering a run, with the Wolfpack still on top going into the bottom of the sixth inning.
Mendoza heated up again in the bottom of the sixth with a deep shot over the left field wall to add another run for NC State. The Wolfpack failed to score anything else in the inning and led 5-1 going into the seventh inning.
Following a scoreless top of the seventh inning from the Seahawks, junior first baseman Preston Palmeiro hit a one-out double to put a runner in scoring position. But the Wolfpack failed to capitalize on the excellent start, getting two-straight outs to end the inning with Palmeiro stranded on second base.
Despite leaving Palmeiro stranded, the Wolfpack were hitting well with runners in scoring position, hitting 3 for 8 after the seventh, and the Wolfpack still led 5-1 going into the top of the eighth.
The Seahawks offense finally showed signs of life in the top of the eighth inning. After relievers Chris Williams and Evan Brabrand retired 12 of the last 14 batters, Feight doubled to drive in Stupienski for an RBI.
Senior reliever Will Gilbert was brought in for the six-out save and started strong with a ground out to first for the first out. Gilbert struck out the next two batters with a runner on third base to end the inning with the Wolfpack ahead. Neither team scored again, and the Wolfpack held on for the 5-2 win.
Mendoza was the offensive MVP for the Wolfpack in the game, going 4 for 4 with two singles, a double, one home run and two RBIs. He missed out on a cycle after failing to hit a triple in his final at bat. Mendoza was thinking about it in his last plate appearance but understood the team win was more important than a personal achievement.
“It’s hard to take away that thought from your mind when that situation comes up,” Mendoza said. “But I was just focused on what the pitcher was giving me and that was it.”
Up next for the Wolfpack will be the Irish Classic, a weekend series that will see Niagara Purple Eagles, Alabama Crimson Tide and Bucknell Bison all come to Raleigh. The weekend action gets started Friday at Doak Field against the Purple Eagles.
