Johnston throws gem, Wolfpack tops Pitt to clinch berth in ACC semis

CHARLOTTE -- No. 15 NC State baseball had to wait a little longer than expected, but is going onto the ACC semifinals thanks to a stellar start from Reid Johnston and clutch hit from J.T. Jarrett. The Wolfpack topped Pitt 3-2 at Truist Field Thursday night to clinch Pool C and a spot in the ACC semifinals against Georgia Tech on Saturday. 

The game was delayed over two hours from its original 7 p.m. start time due to Louisville and Georgia Tech going 12 innings in the game before. 

 Johnston was phenomenal in this one for the Wolfpack. The senior starter retired the last 13 batters he faced in an eight-inning outing that saw him allow two runs on five hits while striking out 10 and walking two. Johnston displayed excellent command, especially in the later innings, throwing 79 of his 111 pitches for strikes. 

Johnston won a pitcher’s duel with the Panthers’ Matt Gilbertson, who was also excellent, allowing just three runs on four hits while striking out 10 and walking three in a complete-game effort. 

All of NC State’s runs came on a two-out rally in the top of the second inning. Jarrett drove in two with an RBI triple to left, then scored the game winner on a wild pitch. 

NC State threatened in the top of the first, with a single from Austin Murr and walk from Jonny Butler putting runners on the corners with one out. But Terrell Tatum grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, ending the threat and sending things to the bottom of the inning scoreless. 

That missed opportunity loomed large in the bottom of the inning. After Sky Duff led it off with a single, he swiped second with two outs, just ahead of the throw from Luca Tresh. Ron Washington then roped a double over Vojtech Mensik’s head and into right field to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. 

The Wolfpack answered back with a two-out rally from the bottom third of its order in the top of the second. After Devonte Brown and Vojtech Mensik both drew full-count walks, J.T. Jarrett smashed a triple into the left-field corner to put NC State up 2-1. Jarrett then came home on a wild pitch to make it a 3-1 game. 

The Panthers looked to strike back in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with one out with a pair of infield singles and four-pitch walk. Johnston limited the damage, however, as the Panthers plated one run on a fielder’s choice to make it 3-2 and the Wolfpack’s starter fanned David Yanni to keep NC State in front. 

Johnston settled into a groove after that, retiring 13 straight batters from the bottom of the fourth through the seventh inning as he found his command and attacked the zone as he shut down the Panthers over and over - which he had to with Gilbertson doing the same to NC State’s lineup.  

Evan Justice came in to pitch the ninth for the Wolfpack, and, after issuing a leadoff walk, retired three straight with two strikeouts. 

The Wolfpack will face UNC Friday night at 7 p.m. in a game that has no bearing in the ACC Tournament, and will then face the Yellow Jackets, who swept NC State in its first ACC series of the season.