Saturday, April 1
Raleigh, N.C.
6 p.m.
NC State
20-7, 5-6
10
vs
0
Louisville
20-6, 3-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Louisville
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
NC State
1
0
0
0
0
4
5
0
X
10
13
1
Photo by: Jaylynn Nash
#Pack9 Posts 10-0 Win Saturday to Secure Series Victory Over No. 11 Louisville
4/1/2023 10:37:00 PM | Baseball
RALEIGH – The NC State baseball team notched its first ACC series victory with a 10-0 win over No. 11 Louisville Saturday night at Doak Field. The Wolfpack secured the series win over the Cardinals (20-6, 3-5 ACC) and will go for its fourth sweep of the season Sunday afternoon.
NC State (20-7, 5-6 ACC) blew the game open with nine runs between the sixth and seventh innings, turning a slim 1-0 margin into a commanding 10-0 lead entering the top of the eighth. A pair of RBI base hits from Payton Green and Eli Serrano III apiece accounted for seven of the Pack's nine runs between the sixth and seventh frames.
In the sixth, Will Marcy doubled to left center to spark the four-run inning for the Wolfpack. Chase Nixon dropped in a single to chase Louisville starter Greg Farone with one out in the inning before Green doubled the Pack's lead with an RBI single up the middle. Serrano III then delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to center field to give the Pack a 4-0 lead.
Serrano III then advanced home on a throwing error by the pitcher to make it 5-0 after six innings. The Pack continued its offensive onslaught in the bottom of the seventh, recording four hits to plate five runs to extend its lead to 10-0. Trevor Candelaria opened the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to left center before Green singled to right field to plate two more, stretching NC State's lead to 8-0. Serrano III then doubled off the wall in center field to push the Pack's advantage to 10-0.
Starting pitcher Matt Willadsen delivered another outstanding outing, pitching six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits with four strikeouts. Willadsen faced the minimum three times in six innings, stranding four runners on base between the fifth and sixth innings to preserve the Pack's 1-0 lead.
Willadsen has allowed just one earned run over his past three starts, allowing only 10 total hits, three runs (one earned) with 15 strikeouts over his past 19 innings pitched.
Justin Lawson closed out the final three innings to earn his third save of the season. Lawson needed just 37 pitches to record the final nine outs of Saturday's game, striking out three Cardinals while allowing just two hits and no walks.
Marcy paced NC State with a three-hit performance, finishing tied with Green for a team-high two runs scored. Candelaria, Green and Serrano III each recorded two-hit performances, while Serrano III's four RBI ranked as a team high.
Not only did Saturday's win secure NC State's first ACC series victory of the season, but it also marked its first home series win over Louisville since the Cardinals joined the ACC back in 2014. The win also marked the Pack's first series win over a ranked opponent in 2023.
UP NEXT
The Wolfpack looks to record its fourth weekend sweep of the season on Sunday. NC State's matchup against Louisville is set for noon and will be televised on ESPNews.
#Pack9 | @NCStateBaseball
NC State (20-7, 5-6 ACC) blew the game open with nine runs between the sixth and seventh innings, turning a slim 1-0 margin into a commanding 10-0 lead entering the top of the eighth. A pair of RBI base hits from Payton Green and Eli Serrano III apiece accounted for seven of the Pack's nine runs between the sixth and seventh frames.
In the sixth, Will Marcy doubled to left center to spark the four-run inning for the Wolfpack. Chase Nixon dropped in a single to chase Louisville starter Greg Farone with one out in the inning before Green doubled the Pack's lead with an RBI single up the middle. Serrano III then delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to center field to give the Pack a 4-0 lead.
Serrano III then advanced home on a throwing error by the pitcher to make it 5-0 after six innings. The Pack continued its offensive onslaught in the bottom of the seventh, recording four hits to plate five runs to extend its lead to 10-0. Trevor Candelaria opened the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to left center before Green singled to right field to plate two more, stretching NC State's lead to 8-0. Serrano III then doubled off the wall in center field to push the Pack's advantage to 10-0.
Starting pitcher Matt Willadsen delivered another outstanding outing, pitching six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits with four strikeouts. Willadsen faced the minimum three times in six innings, stranding four runners on base between the fifth and sixth innings to preserve the Pack's 1-0 lead.
Willadsen has allowed just one earned run over his past three starts, allowing only 10 total hits, three runs (one earned) with 15 strikeouts over his past 19 innings pitched.
Justin Lawson closed out the final three innings to earn his third save of the season. Lawson needed just 37 pitches to record the final nine outs of Saturday's game, striking out three Cardinals while allowing just two hits and no walks.
Marcy paced NC State with a three-hit performance, finishing tied with Green for a team-high two runs scored. Candelaria, Green and Serrano III each recorded two-hit performances, while Serrano III's four RBI ranked as a team high.
Not only did Saturday's win secure NC State's first ACC series victory of the season, but it also marked its first home series win over Louisville since the Cardinals joined the ACC back in 2014. The win also marked the Pack's first series win over a ranked opponent in 2023.
UP NEXT
The Wolfpack looks to record its fourth weekend sweep of the season on Sunday. NC State's matchup against Louisville is set for noon and will be televised on ESPNews.
#Pack9 | @NCStateBaseball
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Willadsen, Matt (4-2)
L: Greg Farone (1-2)
S: Lawson, Justin (3)
Batting:
2B: Will Cook 1
Base Running:
SB: Will Vierling 1
HBP: Brandon Anderson 1
Batting:
2B: Candelaria, Trevor 1 ; Marcy, Will 1 ; Trice, Carter 1 ; Serrano III, Eli 1
HR: Cozart, Jacob 1 ; Candelaria, Trevor 1
RBI: Cozart, Jacob 1 ; Candelaria, Trevor 1 ; Green, Payton 3 ; Serrano III, Eli 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Cozart, Jacob 1 ; Candelaria, Trevor 1 ; Marcy, Will 2 ; Nixon, Chase 1 ; Trice, Carter 1 ; Green, Payton 2 ; Nolan, Parker 1 ; Serrano III, Eli 1
SB: Green, Payton 1 ; Serrano III, Eli 1
CS: Marcy, Will 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
2
H
2
RBI
3
AB
2
R
1
H
2
RBI
4
Players Mentioned
OF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF/OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballINF/OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballAuburn Regional Preview: Elliott Avent on ACC PM
Thursday, May 29
Game Three Press Conference: Athens Super Regional
Tuesday, June 11
Game Two Press Conference: Athens Super Regional
Sunday, June 09
Game One Press Conference - Athens Super Regional
Saturday, June 08