The No. 8 N.C. State Wolfpack (14-5, 3-3 ACC) had its six-game winning streak snapped by Florida State on Friday night after failing to capitalize on another strong showing by junior left-hander Carlos Rodon.
After another typical stud performance by staff ace Rodon (2-3), who struck out 12 in 6.2 innings on Friday, the Pack failed to provide enough offense to beat the No. 2 ranked Florida State Seminoles. Rodon struck out nine of the first 18 batters he faced on the day.
As the Wolfpack grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning off of Brett Austin’s RBI single, Florida State responded swiftly, battling back for a 6-1 victory on Friday.
In Saturday’s daytime matchup, Logan Jernigan, experienced some control issues, walking five with a batter hit in 4.1 innings. Bullpen veteran D.J. Thomas also displayed some uncharacteristic control issues, hitting three batters with a walk and four hits. Florida State left 12 men on base in the matchup.
Freshman pitcher Joe O’Donnell gave up two runs as the ‘Noles expanded their lead to 8-1. The Pack’s one-run ninth inning fell short, as it lost the Saturday matchup by a score of 8-2. Junior Brett Austin led the way for the Pack, batting 3-4 from the leadoff position, while fellow junior Jake Fincher went 3-4 as well with an RBI.
In the Saturday nightcap, with sophomore hurler Brad Stone on the mound, the Pack looked to rebound off of consecutive losses. However, their pitching woes continued to become apparent against a powerful Florida State squad, as the three-game series ended in dramatic fashion when the Seminoles walked-off with a single in the 13th inning to complete the series sweep.
Stone struggled mightily in the second inning, allowing four straight men to reach base on a home run, two doubles and a hit by pitch. Reliever Andrew Woeck allowed a pair of inherited runners to score.
The Wolfpack took another 1-0 early lead, this time on junior Trea Turner’s first home run of the year. Carlos Rodon started at designated hitter, and provided a 3-5 performance with an RBI, three runs scored, and two walks. Freshman third baseman Andrew Knizner, the ACC’s leading hitter, led the Pack charge, going 5-7 with three runs batted in.
Bubby Riley’s 8th inning game-saving catch even made Sportscenter’s Top 10 plays, coming in as the No. 1 play.
Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston struck out seven Pack batters in just three innings.
