No. 2 North Carolina run-rules NC State baseball after explosive fifth-inning

Haley O’Neill, Assistant Sports Editor • May 17, 2026

North Carolina senior catcher Colin Hynek (23) tags out NC State junior outfielder Andrew Wiggins (13) during the game in Doak Field at Dail Park on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 9-4.

Junior lefty Cooper Consiglio surrendered 10 hits in four innings, helping No. 2 North Carolina earn a run-rule victory.

NC State baseball (31-21, ACC 13-16) fell to the UNC Tar Heels (43-9-1, ACC 22-7) 17-7 at the Doak. The Wolfpack let up three home runs, including a grand slam. After giving away a seven-run inning in the top of the fifth, NC State couldn’t muster the strength to come out on top.

Consiglio, starting on the mound, had to alter his game after the first pitch thrown was blasted over the fence by infielder Jake Schaffner to give the Tar Heels an early lead. Although he held Carolina at one for the remainder of the inning, the Tar Heels blitzed him in the second inning. Five Carolina players crossed home plate to extend the Tar Heel’s lead to six.

NC State struggled to find consistent pitching from the mound. After Consiglio allowed a four-run inning in the fourth, head coach Elliott Avent brought in freshman righty Sam Harris. Showing little improvement, Harris pitched a single and a double before being taken out.

NC State also forced its own share of pitching changes. Righty Ryan Lynch held the Pack to two runs throughout the first three innings, but lost speed in the fourth, allowing the Pack to capitalize. Junior infielder Sherman Johnson sent a single through left field, bringing home junior infielders Luke Nixon and Chris McHugh.

After lefty Tom Chmielewski threw to one hitter, righty Caden Glauber quickly replaced him. The Pack started to pick up momentum, got more hits off and had a five-run inning. Decreasing the deficit to three, NC State had a fighting chance. Carolina quickly shut that down and held the Wolfpack scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Redshirt-junior righty Julien Peissel took to the mound halfway through the top of the fifth in an attempt to slow Carolina’s offense. Instead, the Tar Heels kept rolling, as Peissel immediately allowed a single that scored Macon Winslow. With bases loaded, Erik Paulsen launched a grand slam over the left-field fence to increase the lead to 10 and put the Wolfpack on the ropes.

After NC State faced a 10-run deficit, the Doak quickly cleared out and the game was called after seven innings.

NC State hosts the Tar Heels to close out the three-game series on Sunday at 2 p.m.