It was a huge night at Doak field on Saturday as the #6 ranked NC State Wolfpack handed the #1 ranked UNC Tar heels only their 4th loss of the season by a 7-3 count. The announced attendance of more than 3,100+ set a Doak Field record.
Carlos Rodon’s 115th pitch of the night was his biggest as he strikes out heels’ pinch hitter Tom Zengel to end the carolina bases loaded threat and record his 10th K of the game.
With a dominant performance from ace lefthander Carlos Rodon and at least one hit from every player in the lineup, No. 6 North Carolina State set up a crucial rubber game on Sunday against No. 1 North Carolina. The Wolfpack won 7-3 on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd.
“We didn’t play bad last night, but we played really well tonight,†North Carolina State head coach Elliot Avent said.
Rodon was amped for the big game, sitting in the 90-94 mph range with his fastball and reaching back for 96 a couple times against North Carolina third baseman Colin Moran. Rodon scattered seven hits and gave up two earned runs (due to a Cody Stubbs home run given up by reliever Grant Sasser after Rodon left the game). Rodon walked four and struck out 10.
“Carlos Rodon was very, very special tonight,†Avent said. “He didn’t pitch as well as he did last weekend at Georgia Tech, but he pitched very, very well and he kept a great lineup at bay.â€
North Carolina matched N.C. State with 12 hits in the game, but just couldn’t scratch out runs outside of the Stubbs home run. The key play of the game came in the top of the fourth inning. Down 1-0 with Moran on second and Stubbs on first with two outs, second baseman Mike Zolk hit a single to center field. NC State center fielder Brett Williams fielded the ball cleanly and fired a strike to the plate to nail Moran, who collided awkwardly with catcher Brett Austin instead of sliding (video here).
“When it happened, I was so proud of Brett Austin,†Avent said. “First of all, that guy’s caught so much this year. He has caught so many games—a lot of double headers—and he’s just been so good defensively all year long.
“I’ve seen a lot of good plays at N.C. State, but I thought when that happened, I thought back to another play, and I said, ‘I don’t know if that’s the best play I’ve ever seen here at NC State, but it would tie the best play,’ and that one happened with a play at the plate, also. It was a big play for us, and if you want something bad enough, you can almost will yourself to do it, and that’s what happened. I’m very proud of him.â€
The Wolfpack went on to score three in the fourth and three in the fifth to break things open and seal the victory.
“This series prepares you for that weekend when you’re playing in a regional and playing for a chance to go to Omaha,†Avent said. “To beat the number one team in the country two-out-of-three would be great and to beat Carolina two-out-of-three would be great.â€
Before State blew the game open with a 7-0 lead, the Tar heels were were threatening in the fourth inning when this happened:
The Wolfpack is currently tied with Florida State atop the ACC’s Atlantic Division with 15-8 ACC records.
Tonight’s rubber match will be televised on ESPNU at 7pm.
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