NC State baseball defeated UNC-Greensboro in a 10-0 shutout on Tuesday in Greensboro, pushing its winning streak to four games.
The Wolfpack (7-5) came into the game looking to build momentum from a weekend sweep over Canisius. The Pack was also attempting to win its first midweek game this season after it dropped its first two.
The Pack started hot at the top of the first with an RBI from sophomore second baseman Luke Nixon that scored senior shortstop Justin DeCriscio to put the Pack up 1-0. After a scoreless second and third inning, the Wolfpack extended its lead in the fourth with a two-run homer from sophomore first baseman Chris McHugh to go up 3-0.
After three more scoreless innings, the Wolfpack found its groove again with a five-run performance in the eighth to extend its lead to 8-0. The first run was off of a Nixon triple that scored junior shortstop Matt Heavner. McHugh later scored on a two-run homer hit by sophomore catcher Alex Sosa. Finally, junior designated hitter Josh Hogue hit a homer before the inning closed.
The ninth inning saw the Pack stay hot in the batter’s box with a hit by junior right fielder Brayden Fraasman, reaching on a fielder’s choice in which Nixon scored again. After that, a wild pitch allowed Sosa to score and extend the Pack’s lead to 10-0. NC State’s pitching staff kept the Spartans scoreless to secure the 10-0 shutout.
The Spartans used five pitchers throughout the game, allowing 12 hits. McHugh led the Wolfpack with three hits.
While NC State’s offense was hot at the plate, it didn’t need to do much as the Pack’s pitchers shut down the Spartans. Sophomore pitcher Cooper Consiglio started the game and pitched the first four innings, recording six strikeouts and only allowing one hit.
Freshman pitcher Anderson Nance came in during the fifth inning and pitched the last five innings. Nance allowed six hits but stayed consistent enough so that no one on UNCG crossed home plate.
After a rough start to the season, it seems like NC State is getting back on track, especially on the mound, which was a big concern a week ago. This will be important as its next test will be against a solid in-state program in Campbell, who has been known to play the Pack tough.
NC State will play Campbell on Wednesday at Doak Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
