The N.C. State baseball team (21-10, 5-7 ACC) found strength in its bullpen as the Wolfpack defeated the Elon Phoenix at Doak Field, 8-6. State totaled nine hits and capitalized off three Elon errors en route to victory.
“We had some opportunities early that we did not take advantage of,” head coach Elliott Avent said.
Freshman pitcher Karl Keglovits struggled early, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while only recording two outs.
“He had a lot of tough luck,” Avent said. “I felt bad for having to go out and get him because he had not done anything wrong.”
Junior pitcher D.J. Thomas picked up where Keglovits left off and held the Phoenix to only two hits and one walk as he struck out three in 5.1 innings of work.
“D.J. really turned the ball game around,” Avent said. “It is tough that D.J. did not get the win, because that was D.J.’s game.”
Junior pitcher Andrew Woeck entered the game in the top of the seventh with State holding a 6-2 lead, but soon found the lead gone as the Brier, Wash. native gave up three runs, on two hits in 0.1 innings on the mound.
“Woeck, who has probably been our most consistent arm all year out of the bullpen, could not find the zone for the first time all year,” Avent said.
Redshirt senior pitcher Grant Sasser (3-0, 0.41 ERA) relieved Woeck and, despite giving up an unearned run and a walk, struck out six of the last seven batters he faced.
“I was excited to get out there” Sasser said. “This is my first year back after surgery, so at any opportunity, I am just looking forward to throwing. The team has helped pick me up in these situations.”
After falling behind 2-0 due to Keglovits’ lackluster pitching, the Pack responded with a run in the bottom half of the first inning. Sophomore center fielder Jake Fincher and sophomore shortstop Trea Turner started singling to put runners on first and third. Turner stole his 10th base of the season to put both runners in scoring position for senior first baseman Tarran Senay who grounded out to first base as Fincher crossed the plate to put State on the scoreboard.
State gained its largest lead of the evening at the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore catcher Brett Austin reached on an error by Phoenix sophomore second baseman Wil Leathers. Senay singled to put runners on first and second. After a wild pitch that moved Senay and Austin to second and third base respectively, Armstrong lined a single into right-center field that scored both runners. Armstrong stole second base for his sixth steal of the season and advanced to third base on a double by Adametz. Clyde plated both Armstrong and Adametz on a single into left field, but the inning would end on a double play by senior second baseman Matt Bergquist.
State will return to action Friday at 6 p.m. as it begins its three-game series against Virginia Tech.
