NC State baseball is back in the series-win column after clinching the season series with a 7-3 win over Notre Dame in Raleigh. The bullpen took over and gave the offense every chance to score.
The Wolfpack (20-11, 5-6 ACC) took down the Fighting Irish (15-11, 6-8 ACC) to collect its second ACC series win. The Pack needed to grab this series if it wants to be in contention for hosting a regional, as a lot of ACC teams have been flaming hot this season.
The Wolfpack’s offense has been shaky as of late, but recalibrated against the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame pitcher Jack Radel was just named to the Midseason Second All-American Team, and head coach Elliott Avent knew he would be a lot to handle for the Wolfpack. But the Wolfpack was able to wear Radel down and string up big hits to force his exit.
After the Pack had dealt with Radel, it made easy work of the following relievers. The Pack had six of its 10 hits in the seventh and eighth innings, where Notre Dame’s bullpen couldn’t handle the Wolfpack’s hitting.
“We were battling a guy [Radel] who’s probably going to be a first rounder,” Avent said. “He is one of the top pitchers in the country.”
The arms for the Wolfpack also came to play, starting off with junior right-hander Heath Andrews. He came out of the gates a little sloppy, allowing for an error and an earned run in the first. He exited the game with five walks and four strikeouts. However, once Andrews got in a groove, he threw three scoreless innings.
The relief game for the Pack handled business, with appearances from sophomore right-hander Ryder Garino and junior lefthander Cooper Consiglio. Garino has been getting more action as of recent, and has made decent progress on the mound.
Garino exited the game with six strikeouts after facing only ten batters. He allowed for three hits and zero runs without walking a single batter. He struck out the side in the seventh, and continued his streak into the eighth, where he struck out three more batters. Garino picked up his second win of the season.
“Let the main thing be the main thing, and that’s throwing strikes,” Garino said. “There’s nothing better honestly, that’s probably the best feeling [striking out the side], and it’s good to be home.”
Consiglio was just as good, as he came on to grab his second save of the year. He faced eight batters, striking out four of them. He had command and pounded the zone frequently, with 21 of his 30 total pitches being strikes.
“I thought Coop was outstanding tonight,” Avent said. “He does so many things for us, closer, starter, he’s just been unbelievable.”
The bullpen gave the bats a chance, and the Pack responded. Sophomore shortstop Mikey Ryan was on a heater, going 3-for-4 with two RBI-doubles. The LSU transfer was unphased at the plate, unlike some of his recent stretches of play.
“Its been kinda rough for me here lately, but I’m always confident out there and trust my routine,” Ryan said. “It’s always good to hit with runners in scoring position, and when you get one in the gap, there is no better feeling”.
The LSU transfer has been a quieter bat, but if he can create any sort of consistency, he will be an immediate threat at any spot in the lineup.
The Wolfpack hit two home runs against the Irish, one off the bat of sophomore centerfielder Ty Head, and the other off of junior second baseman Luke Nixon. Both homers were crucial to the win, as the Fighting Irish were on the Packs’ heels in the hit column, only posting one less.
The Wolfpack looks to complete the sweep against Notre Dame tomorrow, Saturday, April 4th. First Pitch is set for 1 p.m.
