#Pack9 Forces Extras, But Comes Up Short Against #1 Louisville

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State junior Joe Dunand stepped to the plate with two outs in the ninth and clubbed a three-run homer to knot the score at six to force extra innings, but the Wolfpack came up short against No. 1 Louisville, 7-6, Saturday afternoon in front of a sold-out crowd at Doak Field at Dail Park.

The Cardinals move to 20-2 on the year and 7-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, while the Wolfpack falls to 13-11 and 4-4 in league play. Lincoln Henzman picked up the win (1-0) and Austin Staley was charged with the loss (1-1).

Turning Point
Down to its final out, NC State's Dunand crushed the 0-1 pitch from Louisville closer Henzman over the left field wall to even the score at six, forcing extra innings. Will Wilson led off the ninth with a single through the left side and advanced to third on a single by Brad Debo to score on Dunand's blast.

It was the first extra-base hit and runs that Henzman has allowed, in addition to his first blown save this year.

Game Recap
For the second consecutive game, NC State struck first as the Wolfpack plated a run in the first inning. Freshman Brad Debo, who also drove in the first run of Friday's game, ripped a single to center field to score Wilson from second base.

Wilson helped the Pack add a run to its credit in the second inning with an RBI single to left center, as Andy Cosgrove singled earlier in the frame to score on the play to make it 2-0.

Louisville answered with four runs in the top of the third to chase Wolfpack starting pitcher Brian Brown with the 4-2 lead. Colby Fitch had a two-RBI single down the right field line and Devin Mann followed with a two-run homer to left field.

Evan Mendoza singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch in the bottom of the inning to score on a single through the right side by Brett Kinneman to trim the NC State deficit to 4-3.

The Cardinals stretched the lead to 5-3 in the seventh thanks to a solo home run by Fitch. NC State had an opportunity to counter in the bottom of the frame, as the bases were loaded with one out but the Wolfpack was not able to get a run out of it.

Louisville took that momentum into the next inning, as Colin Lyman scored on a sacrifice fly by Devin Hairston to make it 6-3.

After the Wolfpack tied the score at six to force extras, Tyler Fitzgerald doubled to left field to lead off the tenth inning for the Cards and he scored on a single by Hairston to give Louisville the winning run.

NC State hit a couple balls well in the bottom of the inning, but Louisville made the plays to earn the win.

Game Notes
- Josh McLain extended his reached base safely streak to 12 games and stretched his hitting streak to eight.
- Both teams had 11 hits in the game and both teams left 10 runners on base.
- It was the Wolfpack's second extra-inning game this season, as the squad went to extras at Wake Forest in the series finale.
- NC State did not commit an error for the 10^th time in 2017 and suffered just its second loss when not having a miscue.

Inside the Box Score
- Wilson led the Wolfpack at the plate with the first four-hit game of his collegiate career. He also scored two runs and had an RBI.
- Debo turned in a 2-for-4 performance, highlighted by an RBI.
- Cosgrove, Dunand, Kinneman, McLain and Mendoza had one hit apiece in the contest.

Up Next
NC State and Louisville will return to the field Sunday afternoon for a decisive game three, as the series is tied at one apiece. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park.

#Pack9 Forces Extras, But Comes Up Short Against #1 Louisville

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Team Stats

Will Wilson

Brad Debo

Josh McLain

Evan Mendoza

Players Mentioned

Brian Brown

Andy Cosgrove

Brad Debo

Joe Dunand

Brett Kinneman

Josh McLain

Evan Mendoza

Austin Staley

Will Wilson

Players Mentioned

Brian Brown

Andy Cosgrove

Brad Debo

Joe Dunand

Brett Kinneman

Josh McLain

Evan Mendoza

Austin Staley

Will Wilson