NC State
2-1
Kent State
0-3
No. 10 #Pack9 Edges Kent State, 7-5
2/21/2016 2:47:00 PM | Baseball
The Wolfpack hit a pair of homers to leave opening weekend with a winning record
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - No. 10 NC State baseball scored its second win of the weekend, dropping Kent State 7-5 on Sunday at TicketReturn.com Field.
The Wolfpack (2-1) fell behind 2-0 in the bottom fifth, answering with four runs in the sixth. Kent State (0-3) retook the lead 5-4 in the bottom sixth. NC State returned the favor in the seventh, with three runs to set the final at 7-5.
Joe O'Donnell drew his first career start, coming one strikeout short of tying his career high with five punchouts over 5 1/3 innings, three hits, three runs, two earned, and two walks. Cody Beckman (1-0) collected the win on 2/3, surrendering two earned on one hit and a walk with one strikeout. Evan Brabrand earned the save on three sterling innings of one-hit ball with two strikeouts and no walks.
The Pack hit a pair of home runs, bringing its weekend total to seven. Brock Deatherage started the scoring with a solo shot to open the sixth, his second career bomb. Andrew Knizner followed him with a three-run jack in the same inning, the 11th of his career.Â
Josh McLain and Joe Dunand each supplied a double. Knizner went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a run. Preston Palmeiro wrapped up a tremendous opening weekend with a 2-for-5 showing including a run and the game-winning RBI, his fifth of 2016. Deatherage contributed a bunt single with his homer, part of a 2-for-3 day with a run and an RBI. Dunand went 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Stephen Pitarra added a 1-for-3 day, his third hit of the weekend at TicketReturn.com Field. Chance Shepard singled and scored once. Garrett Suggs started in left and scored a run with two walks. Evan Mendoza walked in one of his two plate appearances after subbing in at third base.
NC State returns to action on Tuesday for the home opener against Morehead State, streaming on GoPack All-Access. Radio coverage will be provided by 88.1 WKNC. Fans can follow along with live stats on GoPack.com or Twitter updates from @NCStateBaseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Beckman, Cody (1-0)
L: Willeman, Zach (0-1)
S: Brabrand, Evan (1)
Batting:
2B: McLain, Josh 1 ; Dunand, Joe 1
HR: Knizner, Andrew 1 ; Deatherage, Brock 1
RBI: McLain, Josh 1 ; Palmeiro, Preston 1 ; Knizner, Andrew 3 ; Dunand, Joe 1 ; Deatherage, Brock 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McLain, Josh 2 ; Palmeiro, Preston 1 ; Knizner, Andrew 1 ; Shepard, Chance 1 ; Suggs, Garrett 1 ; Deatherage, Brock 1
SB: McLain, Josh 1 ; Dunand, Joe 1
HBP: Deatherage, Brock 1
Batting:
2B: Schuler, Pete 1
HR: Zalewski, Zarley 1
RBI: Zalewski, Zarley 3 ; Schuler, Pete 1 ; Dalporto, Tim 1
SH: Mamarella, Mason 1
SF: Dalporto, Tim 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Burch, Luke 1 ; Simonetti, Conner 1 ; Zalewski, Zarley 1 ; Iero, Dom 1 ; Schuler, Pete 1
SB: Burch, Luke 2
CS: Dalporto, Tim 1
HBP: Schuler, Pete 1
PO: Hollander, Josh 1
