Tar Heels Walk Off Wolfpack to Win Series Opener

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — NC State (31-16, 10-14 ACC) dropped its series opener versus North Carolina (31-17, 12-11 ACC) Thursday evening at Boshamer Stadium, 9-8.

After taking a five-run advantage in the top of the first inning, the Wolfpack did not relinquish the lead until Eric Grintz’s RBI triple in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, followed by Colby Wilkerson’s suicide squeeze bunt to drive home Carter French, Grintz’s pinch runner. Thursday’s loss marked the first time this season where State lost after leading through eight innings; the Pack won its previous 24 games where it entered the ninth with the advantage.

Dominic Fritton (3-4, 3.47 ERA) picked up the loss after four innings of relief during which he surrendered four runs on five hits and one walk despite striking out five Tar Heel batters. Logan Whitaker and Baker Nelson hurled the first 4-1/3 innings, combining to give up five runs during that stretch. Matt Poston (3-2, 1.42 ERA) earned the win as the last of seven Carolina pitchers for the game.

The Pack opened the game with a three-run home run by Cannon Peebles and a two-run double by Payton Green. UNC would eventually answer in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI groundout by Jackson Van De Brake, followed by a two-run double by Vance Honeycutt. Tomas Frick followed two batters later with another RBI double to cut the Pack’s lead to one.

Jacob Cozart added a run-scoring single in the fourth inning to make it a two-run game. Kalae Harrison added to the lead with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, but a bases-loaded beanball to Johnny Castagnozzi in the bottom half of the frame neutralized that advantage, making it a 7-5 ball game. NC State’s final run came in the top of the seventh with Harrison driving Eli Serrano home with a single.

Trailing 8-5 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Tar Heels got back-to-back doubles by Casey Cook and Van De Brake before the latter scored on a throwing error to cut the Pack’s lead to one. Hunter Stokely would draw a four-pitch walk to start the bottom of the ninth before Reece Holbrook took over on the base paths, moved to second on a Castagnozzi bunt, and tied the game on Grintz’s triple. Wilkerson’s well-placed bunt sealed the game thereafter.

The Wolfpack will have the opportunity to even the series Friday evening. First pitch from Chapel Hill is set for 7 p.m.