After dropping the front end of a doubleheader with the Miami Hurricanes, NC State baseball rallied to win the second game and keep the series alive.
With an inclement weather threat on the horizon, the teams’ Sunday game was moved up, so the Pack (29-17) played the Hurricanes (33-13) back-to-back on Friday. Miami jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings in the first game, and NC State’s eight-run fourth inning wasn’t enough to bring it back. But the Pack kept the offense rolling for Game 2, almost run-ruling the Canes before going on to tie the series.
“It’s a tough task any time you gotta play two games in a day,” junior left-handed pitcher Cooper Consiglio said.
Consiglio started on the mound for the Wolfpack in the second game of the series, throwing a career high nine strikeouts in six innings of work and only giving up two earned runs on three hits.
“Coop was unbelievable, unreal,” head coach Elliot Avent said. “I thought we were gonna finish it in seven innings.”
NC State led Miami 11-0 in the seventh inning, flirting with a run rule victory before Miami’s dormant bats awoke to score six runs in the seventh. After Consiglio exited the game NC State’s bullpen struggled to throw strikes until left handed pitcher sophomore Tristan Potts entered. Potts pitched the last two innings, striking out two batters to close out the game and get Consiglio and the Wolfpack the win.
“It feels really good to go out there and get a win for the team,” Consiglio said.
Freshman infielder Christian Serrano has been having a breakout week between earning his first start and hitting his first home run for the Wolfpack. In Game 2, Serrano launched the ball out of the park to bring in the first three runs of the game, and his offensive abilities aren’t all he brings to the team.
“His defense is what’s been most impressive.” Avent said.
The 6’4” freshman plays shortstop, an uncommon position for a player of his height.
“Definitely being a tall short stop, people don’t want you playing shortstop but I mean, I want to play shortstop.” Serrano said, “I love playing defense.”
Serrano is a familiar name for Pack9 fans. His older brother, Eli Serrano III, played a vital role on NC State’s 2024 College World Series team and is a point of inspiration for the younger Serrano.
“He motivates me every day,” Christian Serrano said, “He told me just be me, play my ass off”
The freshman — who is in his first semester at NC State — reclassified to join the team early, and has stepped up in a time of need with the absence of injured sophomore infielder Mikey Ryan.
“He’s ready whenever his name’s called,” said Consiglio. “Christian is a great ball player and we all love him.”
Christian Serrano accumulated three hits and two runs in Game 1 before hitting his first collegiate home run in Game 2.
Avent earned his 1,100th win with NC State Baseball after the Pack won the second game.
Moving back to the first game however, the Pack fell behind early, giving up two runs in the first before letting Miami run up four more in the second.
Right handed pitcher junior Heath Andrews got the start and pitched to former teammate and now-Miami catcher, Alex Sosa. Sosa played with the Pack for two years before transferring to Miami and returning to his home state of Florida.
Back at the Doak for the first time since, the Florida native did some damage to the Wolfpack as a designated hitter. In the second inning Sosa drilled out a home run to bring in three runs and put the Canes up six.
Andrews pitched 4.2 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits with zero strikeouts.
An explosive fourth inning from Pack bats put the team on the board. NC State jumped ahead of Miami with an 8-run inning
In the fifth inning sophomore outfielder Ty Head brought in another run, extending the lead to 9-6. That’s all the Wolfpack could muster before giving up five runs in the seventh and one in the ninth to return the lead to the Canes.
After splitting the doubleheader, the team now faces the Hurricanes in a rubber match on Saturday, May 2, with the first pitch set for 7 p.m. This game becomes extremely crucial for the Pack who is looking to build its resume in hopes of earning an at-large bid in the looming NCAA tournament.
