The baseball looked like the size of a cantaloupe to the Wolfpack’s batting lineup as it threw an unstoppable onslaught of offense at Richmond.
The last time No. 14 NC State baseball (6-1) had won a game by a margin of 20 or more runs was in 2010, when it scored a program-record 32 against LaSalle. The bats have been otherworldly for the Pack during non-conference play and showed out again versus Richmond (5-4). NC State squashed the Spiders with 22 hits from 13 different batters.
The lineup stretched deep, and everyone on the team seemed like they could find some grass when they stepped into the batters box. Richmond faced 45 NC State batters, and the Wolfpack made the game look like batting practice, scoring three or more runs in all but two innings.
It was another career night for senior first baseman Dalton Bargo. Bargo has had a hot start to his season, and kept his foot on the gas as the Tennessee transfer had a five-RBI day, going 4-for-6 and collecting his fourth home run of the season.
Junior designated hitter Chris McHugh joined Bargo in going yard, as he sent the third homer of the second inning over the wall in dead-center. Sophomore shortstop Mikey Ryan and sophomore center fielder Ty Head were the others to hit balls out the park in the inning.
The real damage was done in the sixth inning, where the Wolfpack ran up nine runs on the Spiders. Base-hit singles and walks were the recipe, as the inning stretched on for 13 batters. The Spiders tried eight different pitchers throughout the game, but couldn’t stop the bleeding.
The Pack got a strong start from junior right-hander Heath Andrews, who threw for six frames, striking out eight and only allowing one hit. Andrews is another dependable arm in head coach Elliott Avent’s bullpen, and with his first win tonight, he showed he can be very productive on the mound.
The Wolfpack got to see some action from three talented freshmen tonight. Shortstop Christian Serrano, catcher Vincent DeCarlo and first baseman Quinn Bentley all got at-bats against the Spiders and they did not disappoint. Each of them got on base, with DeCarlo and Bentley having two hits each.
The Wolfpack went 13-for-21 when in two-out situations; having the ability to extend innings is a powerful weapon that will come in handy as the Pack travel through conference play. The bullpen and bats have been a well-oiled machine for Avent so far, and could make some noise in the ACC if the Wolfpack keeps it up.
The Pack is back in action for its second midweek game on Wednesday, Feb. 25, against the Akron Zips at the Doak. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
