#Pack9 Notches 6-2 Victory Over UNCG

Tuesday, March 28

Raleigh, N.C.

4 p.m. (Updated)

NC State

18-7

UNCG

13-12

UNC Greensboro

NC State

Photo by: Mollie Mitchell

3/28/2023 8:02:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NC State Completes Season Sweep of the Spartans

RALEIGH – The NC State baseball team defended The Doak on Tuesday afternoon when the Pack notched a 6-2 victory over UNCG.

After allowing 13 hits in its 15-13 victory over the Spartans earlier this season on March 7, the NC State (18-7) pitching staff shut down the UNCG (13-12) offense on Tuesday, limiting the Spartans to just six hits and two runs (both unearned).

Redshirt senior Baker Nelson, who made his first-career start in Tuesday's win, pitched a perfect three innings to set the tone. Nelson retired all nine batters he faced, tying a career-high with five strikeouts.

The Wolfpack offense provided Nelson with early run support when Chase Nixon delivered a two-run double to right center with two outs. Nixon drove the 2-2 pitch into the gap to score LuJames Groover III from third and Jacob Cozart from second. Cozart recorded his first hit of the game off a familiar face, singling to right field on the first pitch of his at-bat off his older brother and UNCG starting pitcher, Caleb Cozart.

Andrew Shaffner recorded a pair of strikeouts for the Wolfpack in the top of the fourth, surrendering a pair of unearned runs in the frame. With the score tied at 2-2, Jacob Cozart put the Wolfpack in the lead for good with an RBI single to center field, breaking the tie and giving the Pack a 3-2 advantage. A throwing error on UNCG third baseman Mitchell Smith allowed the second run of the inning to score before Eli Serrano III dropped down a bunt single to make it 5-2 Wolfpack after the fifth inning.

Rio Britton shined in the midweek victory, pitching three scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no walks to earn his first win in an NC State uniform. Britton stranded two Spartans in the top of the sixth with a strikeout on a 3-2 pitch, freezing Rowan Watt to get out of the inning. He then faced the minimum in the top of the seventh after Groover III, Kalae Harrison and Serrano III combined to record a 5-4-3 double play.

Serrano III extended NC State's lead to its final margin with a towering solo home run to right field, sending the ball into the trees to give the Pack a 6-2 lead.

Carson Kelly recorded the final six outs to seal the victory, allowing no hits with three strikeouts and two walks in two innings pitched. As a pitching staff, the Wolfpack struck out 13 batters and allowed just two free passes to UNCG batters.

Jacob Cozart's hot streak continued on Tuesday, leading the Pack with a three-hit performance. Serrano III and Nixon each tallied a pair of RBI to tie for the team-lead in the category.

UP NEXT
The Wolfpack remains home this weekend at Doak Field to host Louisville for a three-game series. First pitch of the weekend series is set for 6 p.m. on Friday. Friday's matchup will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.

#Pack9 | @NCStateBaseball