A five-run second inning and a near-flawless performance by Sam Highfill was all NC State baseball needed to secure a 10-0 series-opening win over Notre Dame.
The graduate right-handed pitcher looked like his vintage self, throwing a season-high 10 strikeouts in eight innings to lead the Wolfpack (16-7, 6-4 ACC) over the Fighting Irish (14-10, 2-8 ACC).
“He’s back to being the Sam Highfill of old,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “He was as impressive as I’ve ever seen him tonight. [Notre Dame is] a good team, a good hitting team, and he had command of everything tonight.”
There was almost nothing the Irish could do against Highfill out of the gates as the Apex native pitched the first five innings without allowing a single hit. Highfill gave up his first hit, a double, with two outs left in the sixth, but by that time, the Pack had already amassed a 5-0 lead, and Highfill was up to seven strikeouts.
“You go out there and dream about moments like this when you’re growing up,” Highfill said. “Being my fifth year, I kind of have more perspective now to kind of embrace it as it’s happening.”
Highfill gave up two more hits the rest of the way, which were both doubles with two outs in their respective innings, but never let a run through as the Wolfpack bats took care of business.
NC State did not waste much time getting settled into the ballgame offensively. After a scoreless first frame, the second inning was the time to shine, and with a runner on, junior shortstop Brandon Butterworth doubled to score the first run. The Pack got another base hit afterward, which gave graduate third baseman Garrett Pennington a prime opportunity.
Pennington followed through with a base-clearing double to further extend NC State’s lead. The Pack was not done, however, as graduate first baseman Alec Makarewicz belted a homer to make the lead at 5-0.
“[Makarewicz] is a veteran who shows up every day,” Avent said. “He’s very professional; he goes about his business. If you’re in a major league clubhouse right now, he’s that guy you say ‘He’s that guy.’”
After three scoreless innings, the Pack saw some more movement in the sixth. Sophomore Josh Hogue singled to reach base and gradually made his way to third. Continuing his strong day at the plate, Butterworth put a high-flying ball to right field, allowing time for Hogue to come home and make the score 6-0.
As the game approached the eighth inning, the Pack was still not satisfied as it continued to hop on top of the Irish pitching. NC State quickly put two on base as freshman designated hitter Alex Sosa singled to bring home one run. Again showing his utility with the bat, Butterworth followed this up by collecting his third RBI of the game to extend the Pack lead to 8-0.
“[Butterworth] is a really good player,” Avent said. “He’s getting better offensively every day. He loves this game; he works hard at it.”
NC State continued to threaten as a walk drawn by freshman second baseman Luke Nixon put two on the base paths, and senior right fielder Noah Soles singled to score another run, further extending the lead. The speedy Nixon also made his way to third thanks to Soles and capitalized on a wild pitch, advancing home to put NC State up 10-0.
This was enough to put a pen in the evening as the Pack secured a series-opening win due to run rule.
After a stretch that saw four consecutive losses earlier this month, the Pack has seemingly found its groove as of late, winning four out of its last five games, including the last two ACC series openers.
“Just the vibes in the dugout and the locker room are really good right now,” Highfill said. “We know we can win on any given night, … and I think we are starting to get back to that a little bit.”
The Pack will return to action on Friday, March 29, as it takes on the Fighting Irish. First pitch is slated for 8 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network.
