When you expect the least, the Wolfpack often gives you the most. NC State baseball broke its five-game losing streak with an impressive 11-8 win at No. 2 Clemson.
The Tigers (28-5, 10-3 ACC) entered the game as a daunting opponent, without a series loss yet. Meanwhile, the Pack (19-12, 9-7 ACC) was limping after being swept by Louisville in its previous ACC series. While everything pointed to an easy Clemson win, there’s a reason games are played on the diamond, not paper. The red-and-white’s bats came alive and powered the Wolfpack to victory.
Sophomore right fielder Josh Hogue opened the scoring early for the Wolfpack. In the top of the first, Hogue blasted a solo home run past right field, pushing the Pack ahead 1-0. The Tigers punched back with a homer of their own, scoring two in the opening inning.
After the opening fireworks, both pitchers settled in. Graduate right-handed pitcher Sam Highfill held the Tigers scoreless over the next two innings. After getting into a pinch in the second frame, Highfill worked out of a jam successfully, stranding a Clemson runner on base. Then in the third, the Mayor sent the Tigers three-up and three-down.
The Wolfpack landed one of its strongest punches of the evening in the top of the fourth. Graduate first baseman Garrett Pennington quickly hit a double, before Hogue followed him on base. The Tigers found themselves rattled and surrendered a wild pitch, advancing Pennington and Hogue. The Tiger’s struggles continued on the mound with a walk before the Pack started batting in runs, scoring four total in the frame.
Sophomore center fielder Eli Serrano III drove in a pair of runs in the fourth, half of his total in a stellar performance. En route to four RBIs, Serrano earned three hits in four at-bats, while scoring twice himself. After a strong freshman campaign, Serrano is breaking out as a force for the Wolfpack, with clutch performances like this one.
It didn’t take long for Clemson to respond to Serrano and the Pack’s bats. Highfill opened the bottom of the fourth with a walk, before surrendering a two-run homer. Highfill then loaded the bases after hitting a batter and walking two more. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Shane Van Dam took over for Highfill but surrendered a pair of runs, giving Clemson a 6-5 advantage after four innings.
NC State remained hot in the fifth and tacked on four more runs, taking the lead for good. With the bases loaded, the Pack scored a pair of unearned runs to pull ahead 7-6. Then Serrano capitalized at the plate and hit a two-RBI single. While Clemson tallied a couple of runs of its own in the bottom of the inning, the red-and-white didn’t need to worry about Clemson catching up.
The Wolfpack padded its lead late with runs in the eighth and ninth innings. Meanwhile, the bullpen cleaned up and kept Clemson well away from the home plate. Unlike previous games, the Pack settled in late and navigated the end of the game without a dramatic ending.
NC State is set to play Clemson again on Saturday, April 13, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Wolfpack and the Tigers are slated to meet at 8 p.m. and can be found on ACC Network.
