Thrilling 14-Inning Win Sends Wolfpack to Super Regional

Sunday, June 1

Wilson, NC

1:00 PM

NC State

45-16

Western Carolina (NCAA Regional)

43-21

NC State

Western Carolina

Colt Morton is all smiles after his game-winning homer in the 14th inning.

Thrilling 14-Inning Win Sends Wolfpack to Super Regional

6/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

June 1, 2003

Final Stats

By Tony Haynes

Wilson, N.C.-This is an NC State team that Jim Valvano would love. Winning once again in thrilling fashion, the latest version of the 'Cardiac Pack' qualified for next week's super regional on Sunday afternoon by outlasting Western Carolina in 14 innings, 6-4. Regional MVP Colt Morton finally broke the logjam by blasting his 19th homer of the year to snap a 4-4 tie before State scored an insurance run to give closer Joey Devine all the room he would need to finish it off for his 14th save. With the win, the Wolfpack improved to 45-16 on the season. The Catamounts, who won both the regular season and tournament titles in the Southern Conference, finished up at 43-21.

"We have a lot of confidence in our team," said winning head coach Elliot Avent. "We are very multidimensional, and we can beat you in many ways. We had a solid pitching effort by Brandon Shipwash and Collin Brown, and what an effort they gave. Our pitchers have been doing that all year."

In this latest of many epic battles, NC State received great relief pitching from two unlikely sources. After taking over for starter Nate Cretarolo to begin the 8th inning, left-hander Brandon Shipwash, who came in with a 6.95 ERA, struck out five in four shutout innings. Then came little-used Collin Brown, who got the win after pitching two hitless innings.

The Wolfpack needed heroic efforts from both relievers during a time when Pack hitters were coming up empty against Western Carolina's Derrick Hawk. Normally a short man, Hawk shut the Pack down for eight innings before Morton broke through with his opposite field shot in the top of the 14th.

With the game tied at one apiece in the 4th inning, NC State center fielder Matt Camp delivered two runs with a single to center to give the Wolfpack a 3-1 edge. Two batters later, it was 4-1 when J.R. Riley's ground ball skipped under the glove of Western Carolina third baseman Chris Davis. The error allowed Camp to score from third.

But Western Carolina wouldn't die. Down 4-2 in the 6th, Western Carolina tied it when Matt Nelson punched a hit to right to score a pair. Nelson, who had only 24 RBIs coming in, drove in all four Catamounts runs.

That's when the bullpens took over, especially Hawk who gave up just one run and five hits in eight incredible innings of relief work. Though wild at time, Cretarolo did a respectable job, allowing two earned runs and five hits over seven innings.

"Earlier in the season when I wasn't geting much pitching time, I just tried to stay ready and step up when it was time to pitch, like today. I felt real good and pitched with a lot of confidence. I had confidence in my teammates and knew they could get the job done. They helped me get the job done."

Though both teams had a few scoring chances in extra innings, NC State had the best shot of breaking through when it loaded the bases with just one out in the 11th. But Hawk got Morton to hit into a 6-4-3 double play that could have taken the wind out of the Wolfpack's sails. Morton, of course, atoned when he connected for his third homer in the last two days.

It was just another day at the old ballpark for the 'Cardiac Pack.'

NCAA All-Regional Team
Catcher: Colt Morton, NC State
First Base: Justin Riley, NC State
Second Base: Todd Roper, Western Carolina
Third Base: Chris Davis, Western Carolina
Shortstop: Anthony Aquillno, Le Moyne
Outfield: Joe Gaetti, NC State
Outfield: Rod Goldston, Western Carolina
Outfield: Jeff Justice, Le Moyne
Pitcher: Brandon McDowell, Western Carolina
Pitcher: Mike Rogers, NC State
Designated Hitter: Jeff Parrish, Virginia Commonwealth
Outstanding Player: Colt Morton, NC State