#1 NC State Set for First ACC Road Test at Miami This Weekend

Opponent: Miami
Dates: Friday – Sunday, March 22 - 24
Location: Coral Gables, Fla.
Site: Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field
Times: 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 1 p.m. (Sun.)
TV: ACC Network Extra
Radio: WKNC 88.1 FM
Live Stats

STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: RHP Jason Parker (NCSU) vs. RHP Evan McKendry (UM)
Saturday: RHP Reid Johnston (NCSU) vs. RHP Christopher McMahon (UM)
Sunday: TBA (NCSU) vs. RHP Brian Van Belle (UM)

*Team rankings reflect the highest for each team in the polls...NC State (#1 Collegiate Baseball Poll)*

RALEIGH, N.C. – Top-ranked NC State baseball will head to Coral Gables, Fla., this weekend for a series against Miami in its first ACC road test of the season. Friday and Saturday's games are set for 7 p.m., while Sunday's series finale is slated for 1 p.m. at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

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 with Andrew Sanders on the call.

NC State heads into the weekend with a 20-1 record and a 5-1 mark in ACC play, while Miami is 15-6 and 3-3 in conference action.

Last Time Out
In its last outing, NC State earned an 11-1 win against the Towson Tigers at home on Tuesday evening. The Wolfpack scored three runs in the first inning en route to surpassing 10 runs in a game for the eighth time this season.

The Miami Hurricanes dropped a 4-2 decision at home versus Columbia in their most recent game on Wednesday evening.

The Series
NC State and Miami have met 51 times in the history of the programs with the Hurricanes leading the all-time series, 35-16.

Last Time Versus Miami
NC State won the last series between the teams in 2017, taking the first two games of the three-game set to clinch the series. Miami avoided the sweep in the series finale with a 7-5 win and that was the last meeting between the programs.
The Hurricanes won all three games of the 2015 series held in Coral Gables.

The Rundown on Miami
- The Miami Hurricanes have turned in a strong start to the 2019 season under first-year head coach Gino DiMare, who takes over the program following the retirement of Jim Morris.
- Miami opened ACC play by taking two of three against Georgia Tech at home, before dropping the series at UNC-Chapel Hill last weekend by the same tally.
- The Canes were picked to finish fourth in the Coastal Division of the ACC Preseason Poll.
- At the plate, Miami is second in the ACC with a .297 batting average and NC State is right behind them with a .294 clip.
- The Hurricanes own a 3.4 earned run average (ERA) on the mound, the fifth best in the conference.

#1 for the First Time in Program History
After tallying the best start to a season and tying the longest winning streak in program history, the NC State baseball team is ranked No. 1 in a major poll for the first time as the Wolfpack occupies the top spot in the Collegiate Baseball Rankings, released Monday.

With a record of 20-1, NC State was one of the last two remaining unbeaten teams in the nation prior to Sunday's loss against Florida State. The Pack was also the last team to drop an ACC game, as the squad is tied with Louisville for the best record in conference games at 5-1.

Even more impressive than the astounding 20-1 record is the way NC State has accomplished the feat. The Wolfpack has trailed in 11 of its 20 wins and has trailed after the sixth inning in six of those contests.

Parker Garners First #Pack9 Weekly Honor
After throwing a career-long seven shutout innings with a career-high 10 strikeouts in the win against top-ranked Florida State last Friday, NC State junior Jason Parker has been named the ACC Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

The New Bern, N.C., native retired the side in order twice while allowing just five hits in the contest – all singles. Parker has allowed only two extra base hits this season -- none in conference play -- and lowered his ERA to 0.68, third best in the ACC.

He's now 3-0 on the season with 26 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched and opponents have compiled a .198 batting average against him. Parker has also had great command, walking just six batters on the year and has not issued more than two walks in any start.

Late-Inning Heroics
NC State has provided several thrills for fans and spectators late in games this season. From the sixth inning to the end of games, the Wolfpack has outscored its opponents, 102-28.

The Pack has scored 33 runs in the sixth inning of games, the most it has scored in any this year.

Flashing the Leather
NC State leads the ACC and ranks third in the nation with a .986 fielding percentage, which is nine (.009) points higher than the next league opponent, Virginia with a .977 clip.

The Wolfpack has not committed an error in 13 games and has only made more than one error in a game twice this season.

Double Trouble
NC State batters have hit 58 doubles this season, which leads the nation in that category. The Wolfpack recorded a season-high six doubles at NC Central and has tallied at least one double in 20 of its 21 games.

Patrick Bailey and Will Wilson each have nine on the year, which is tied for second in the conference and 19th nationally.

The Pack is second in the nation in doubles per game with 2.76. In 2017, NC State led the ACC and finished sixth in the NCAA with 140 doubles.

Seven in a Row for Vazquez
Sophomore infielder David Vazquez singled in Tuesday's game against Towson to extend his hitting streak to seven games, which is the longest active streak on the team.

The Hialeah, Fla., native is also batting a team-best .467 in ACC games this season.

Bailey and Edwards Are On Base
Patrick Bailey and Evan Edwards have each reached base safely in every game this season. Bailey leads the team with a .480 on-base percentage, while Edwards has compiled a .408.

Offensive Prowess
Doubles - 58, 1st in the nation
Batting Average - .294, 3rd in the ACC
Runs - 187, 1st in the ACC and 5th nationally
Scoring Per Game – 8.9, 1st in ACC and 7th nationally
Hits -223, 2nd in the ACC and 14th nationally
On-Base Percentage - .406, 4th in the ACC and 26th nationally
Runs Batted In - 170, 1st in the ACC

Stellar Pitching
Earned Run Average - 3.06, 3rd in the ACC and 25th nationally
Wins - 20, 1st in the ACC and tied for 2nd nationally
Saves - 5, tied for 3rd in the ACC
Shutouts - 3, tied for 3rd in the ACC and tied for 15th nationally

#1 NC State Set for First ACC Road Test at Miami This Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Patrick Bailey

Evan Edwards

Reid Johnston

Jason Parker

David Vazquez

Will Wilson