DUGOUT REPORT: Wolfpack Walks Off Series-Clincher Versus Wake Forest
No. 17 NC State's Elliott Avent, Jacob Dudan, and Noah Soles met with the media following the Wolfpack's 2-1 win over No. 8 Wake Forest Friday evening.
NOTE: Click on each respective thumbnail to watch each interview in the player above.
Noah Soles walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give No. 17 NC State (31-19, 17-11 ACC) the series-clinching victory over No. 8 Wake Forest (36-18, 15-14 ACC) Friday evening at Doak Field, 2-1.
Dominic Fritton started on the mound for the Wolfpack opposite the Demon Deacons’ Chase Burns. The pair each allowed one run apiece, Burns’ being unearned, but Fritton exited the game after 4-2/3 innings in which he struck out five batters while yielding three hits and three walks. Burns, meanwhile, lasted seven innings with 13 strikeouts against five hits allowed on 93 pitches.
After a 1-2/3-inning outing by Andrew Shaffner, Jacob Dudan (3-2, 4.02 ERA) earned the win 2-2/3 shutout innings of relief. Meanwhile, Zach Johnston (2-2, 4.24 ERA) got saddled with the loss after 1-1/3 innings of relief in which he walked five batters, including three in the ninth inning.
The Demon Deacons, after leaving runners on base in each of the first four innings, opened the game’s scoring in the top of the fifth. Mitchell Salvino got plunked by Fritton to lead off the frame. Two batters later, Marek Houston drove him home with a high chopper that made its way to left field for a double.
Aided by costly Wake Forest miscues, State responded in the bottom half of the same inning. Luke Nixon reached base via a one-out single before stealing second base on the third strike in the next at-bat. Chase Nixon then reached on an infield single with Houston’s errant throw allowing Luke to tie the game.
Wake Forest and NC State would each threaten with the bases loaded in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, but would leave empty-handed before the Pack’s plate discipline paying off in the ninth. Brandon Butterworth, Alex Sosa, and Chase Nixon each drew free passes from Johnston to bring Soles to the plate. Cole Roland would relieve Johnston and draw a full count on the Thomasville, N.C. native, but Soles would take the decisive ball to plate Butterworth to end the game.
The Wolfpack will look to secure the series sweep Saturday afternoon in its regular-season finale. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.