The NC State baseball team notched its second straight win over a top-15 opponent with a 4-3 comeback victory over No. 9 Duke on Friday afternoon at Doak Field at Dail Park.
NC State starting pitcher Sam Highfill and Duke ace Jonathan Santucci squared off in a pitcher's duel as the Wolfpack erased an early 1-0 deficit to open the series with a victory. Highfill delivered a gem to improve to 2-1 on the season, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing just three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. The right-hander only allowed one walk to the Blue Devils' lineup as he finished the afternoon with 117 pitches, the second most of his college career.
The Wolfpack grabbed the lead for good behind Jacob Cozart's RBI single to right field in the seventh. Alec Makarewicz sparked the go-ahead frame with a one-out RBI double to left-center. Cozart then worked into a hitter's count at 3-1 before lining a single to right field, scoring Makarewicz from second for the eventual winning run.
Freshman Jacob Dudan then retired the final six Duke batters to earn his third save, recording all three of his strikeouts in the top of the ninth. Dudan opened the ninth with back-to-back punchouts before issuing a four-pitch walk to Devin Obee. He struck out Wallace Clark looking on a 3-2 pitch to cap off his outing and seal the win for the Wolfpack.
Duke (16-6, 3-4 ACC) struck first behind Clark's sacrifice fly in the second inning. The Wolfpack (14-6, 4-3 ACC) then manufactured two runs in the fifth without logging a base hit, drawing three straight walks to open the frame before RBI groundouts from Josh Hogue and Garrett Pennington gave NC State its first lead at 2-1.
Logan Bravo responded for the Blue Devils in the top of the sixth with a solo shot to right field, tying the score at 2-2. The Wolfpack answered Duke's score in the bottom half when Luke Nixon drew a bases-loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch, bringing home Eli Serrano III for a 3-2 Wolfpack lead.
Duke tied the score for the final time on another sacrifice fly from Clark in the top of the seventh. Cozart's RBI single after the seventh-inning stretch served as the difference in the Pack's second straight one-run victory over a ranked opponent.
Despite not recording its first hit until the sixth inning, the Wolfpack chased Santucci after 5.1 innings on 95 pitches after drawing seven walks. NC State's offense drew 10 walks, while Wolfpack pitching issued only two free passes on the afternoon.
Duke reliever Gabriel Nard (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing one run over 2.0 innings out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
NC State looks to secure a series victory over No. 9 Duke on Saturday afternoon at Doak Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network.
https://gopack.com/news/2024/3/22/baseball-wolfpack-knocks-off-9-duke-with-4-3-comeback-victory
NC State starting pitcher Sam Highfill and Duke ace Jonathan Santucci squared off in a pitcher's duel as the Wolfpack erased an early 1-0 deficit to open the series with a victory. Highfill delivered a gem to improve to 2-1 on the season, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing just three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. The right-hander only allowed one walk to the Blue Devils' lineup as he finished the afternoon with 117 pitches, the second most of his college career.
The Wolfpack grabbed the lead for good behind Jacob Cozart's RBI single to right field in the seventh. Alec Makarewicz sparked the go-ahead frame with a one-out RBI double to left-center. Cozart then worked into a hitter's count at 3-1 before lining a single to right field, scoring Makarewicz from second for the eventual winning run.
Freshman Jacob Dudan then retired the final six Duke batters to earn his third save, recording all three of his strikeouts in the top of the ninth. Dudan opened the ninth with back-to-back punchouts before issuing a four-pitch walk to Devin Obee. He struck out Wallace Clark looking on a 3-2 pitch to cap off his outing and seal the win for the Wolfpack.
Duke (16-6, 3-4 ACC) struck first behind Clark's sacrifice fly in the second inning. The Wolfpack (14-6, 4-3 ACC) then manufactured two runs in the fifth without logging a base hit, drawing three straight walks to open the frame before RBI groundouts from Josh Hogue and Garrett Pennington gave NC State its first lead at 2-1.
Logan Bravo responded for the Blue Devils in the top of the sixth with a solo shot to right field, tying the score at 2-2. The Wolfpack answered Duke's score in the bottom half when Luke Nixon drew a bases-loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch, bringing home Eli Serrano III for a 3-2 Wolfpack lead.
Duke tied the score for the final time on another sacrifice fly from Clark in the top of the seventh. Cozart's RBI single after the seventh-inning stretch served as the difference in the Pack's second straight one-run victory over a ranked opponent.
Despite not recording its first hit until the sixth inning, the Wolfpack chased Santucci after 5.1 innings on 95 pitches after drawing seven walks. NC State's offense drew 10 walks, while Wolfpack pitching issued only two free passes on the afternoon.
Duke reliever Gabriel Nard (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing one run over 2.0 innings out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
NC State looks to secure a series victory over No. 9 Duke on Saturday afternoon at Doak Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network.
https://gopack.com/news/2024/3/22/baseball-wolfpack-knocks-off-9-duke-with-4-3-comeback-victory
