Wolfpack Drops Road Series Versus North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — NC State (31-17, 10-15 ACC) dropped the second game of its three-game series versus North Carolina (32-17, 13-11 ACC) Friday evening at Boshamer Stadium, 9-3.

Tar Heel starting pitcher Max Carlson (5-3, 5.32 ERA) handcuffed the Wolfpack offense for much of his 7-2/3-inning outing. The Savage, Minn. native surrendered only three hits, albeit two of which were solo home runs, with four strikeouts on 100 pitches thrown to secure the win. Matt Willadsen (5-4, 3.42 ERA) picked up the loss with four runs allowed on eight hits in four innings of work.

UNC took the lead in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single by Jackson Van De Brake after a two-out double by Casey Cook. One inning later, Johnny Castagnozzi notched a two-run single before coming home on a base hit by Cook to make it a 4-0 lead.

The Carolina lead would extend to five on Mac Horvath’s 22^nd home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth. After a sixth-inning RBI single by Cook in the bottom of the sixth, Jacob Cozart ended the shutout with his ninth homer of the year, putting the score at 6-1. However, three consecutive bases-loaded walks to Eric Grintz, Castagnozzi, and Colby Wilkerson would extend the Tar Heels’ lead to eight.

Eli Serrano led off the top of the eighth with a solo home run, his sixth of 2023. Payton Green drew a full-count walk in NC State’s next plate appearance, moved to second base on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI single by Kalae Harrison to cap off the game’s scoring.

The Wolfpack will look to avoid the series sweep on the road Saturday afternoon. First pitch from Chapel Hill is set for 2 p.m.