Whitaker's Big Day Leads Wolfpack Past Panthers

RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State (32-18, 11-16 ACC) snapped its three-game losing streak and opened its series with Pittsburgh (23-28, 10-16 ACC) in dominant fashion with the victory Thursday evening at Doak Field, 7-2.

Logan Whitaker (4-3, 4.66 ERA) held the Panthers to only one hit in seven innings of work, striking out six batters while walking three on 113 pitches. Baker Nelson pitched the final two innings and yielded four hits, including two solo home runs.

Cannon Peebles went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, his 11^th home run of the season, two runs scored, and four runs. Gino Groover, Eli Serrano, and Payton Green also collected multiple hits on the night for the Wolfpack’s offense while Serrano and Jacob Cozart each added one RBI.

After two innings of goose eggs on the scoreboard, Peebles pounded a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning for the game’s first runs. Two innings later, Cozart scored on a single by Peebles that became a two-base error as Pitt right fielder C.J. Funk botched the hard ground ball that made its way to the wall. Serrano followed with a double that brought Peebles home to make it a five-run ball game.

In the sixth, Groover reached base on a two-out single to center field, stole second base, and scored on Cozart’s 13^th double of the year. Peebles’ hot night continued as he notched a two-bagger of his own in the next at-bat, pushing Cozart home to extend the lead to seven. However, the Panthers would end the shutout in the top of the eighth on back-to-back homers by Jayden Melendez and Noah Martinez.

The Wolfpack, needing one more win to solidify its place in the 2023 ACC Baseball Championship Tournament, will look to secure the series over the Panthers Friday evening. First pitch from Doak Field is set for 6 p.m.