#10 NC State Hosts B1G Preseason Favorite Minnesota This Weekend

Opponent: Minnesota
Date: Friday – Sunday, March 1 – 3
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Site: Doak Field at Dail Park
Times: 3 p.m. (Fri.), 2 p.m. (Sat.), 12 p.m. (Sun.)
TV: ACC Network Extra
Radio: WKNC 88.1 FM
Live Stats

STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: RHP Patrick Fredrickson (MINN) vs. RHP Jason Parker (NCSU)
Saturday: RHP Sam Thoresen (MINN) vs. LHP Canaan Silver (NCSU)
Sunday: RHP Joshua Culliver (MINN) vs. TBA (NCSU)

*Team rankings reflect the highest in the polls...NC State (#10 Collegiate Baseball Poll)*

RALEIGH, N.C. – Following a five-game road stretch, the 10th-ranked NC State baseball team returns to Doak Field at Dail Park this weekend to host the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Friday's game is set for 3 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday's games are slated for 2 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.

All three games will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra, accessible through Watch ESPN and the Watch ESPN App. Radio coverage will also be available on WKNC 88.1 FM and on GoPack.com for premium subscribers.

NC State heads into the weekend as one of three unbeaten teams in the ACC with an 8-0 record, while Minnesota is 2-5 on the year.

Last Time Out
In its last outing, the Wolfpack earned a 10-1 road win at Campbell on Wednesday evening. NC State jumped out to a 4-0 lead en route to earning the victory, hitting a pair of home runs in the contest.

The Series
NC State and Minnesota have met four times in the history of the programs and the series is knotted at two apiece.

Last Time Versus Minnesota
The Wolfpack won the last meeting between the teams, 10-6, during the 1996 season at a tournament hosted by the Gophers inside the Metrodome.

The Rundown on Minnesota
- Minnesota turned in a stellar 2018 season, as the Golden Gophers won their 10th Big 10 Championships in program history.
- The Gophers cruised through the NCAA Regional they hosted with a perfect 3-0 mark to advance to the Super Regionals, where they fell to eventual National Champion Oregon State.
- Minnesota returns a pair of All-America pitchers in Patrick Fredrickson and Max Meyer.
- The Golden Gophers were picked to win the Big 10 Championship again in 2019 in a vote of the league's head coaches.

Leap in the Rankings
Following NC State's perfect 4-0 week, highlighted by a win against No. 19 Coastal Carolina, the Wolfpack leaped 12 spots in the Collegiate Baseball Rankings from No. 22 to No. 10.

Stellar Pack Pitching
Off to an 8-0 start, the Wolfpack's pitching staff owns a 2.13 earned run average (ERA), which leads the ACC and is 14th in the NCAA.

Prolific Offense
NC State's offense has produced 64 runs this season, which is tied for the third most in the conference. In contrast, Pack pitchers have allowed just 21 runs.

Lucky 7th
NC State has scored 16 runs in the seventh inning of games this season, seven more than any other inning.

Getting on Base
Jonny Butler, Patrick Bailey, Evan Edwards and Tyler McDonough have all reached base safely in every game this season.

Making a Call to the Bullpen
The Wolfpack's bullpen has been lights out this season, as relievers have compiled a 1.28 ERA and have collected 48 strikeouts in 49.1 innings. NC State relievers have accounted for seven of the teams eight wins.

In contrast, opposing teams' bullpens have charted a 7.91 ERA and have yielded 35 runs in 33 innings.

29 in a Row
From the Elon to the Michigan State games last week, Wolfpack pitching threw 29 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. Additionally, NC State did not allow an extra-base hit in the last 25 innings of that stretch.

Two Shutouts
NC State is the only team in the ACC to record two shutouts this season.

Nothing Free
Wolfpack pitchers have issued the second-fewest walks per nine innings in the ACC, allowing just 2.84 walks per contest.

#10 NC State Hosts B1G Preseason Favorite Minnesota This Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Patrick Bailey

Jonny Butler

Evan Edwards

Tyler McDonough

Jason Parker

Canaan Silver