Virginia Holds Off NC State Rally to Win Game One

Friday, April 4

Raleigh, NC

6 p.m.

NC State

19-11, 5-5

Virginia

17-11, 7-6

Virginia

NC State

Virginia Holds Off NC State Rally to Win Game One

4/4/2025 10:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

RALEIGH, NC. – After giving up seven unanswered runs between the sixth and seventh innings, the Wolfpack's comeback fell short Friday night as NC State Baseball dropped the series opener 8-6 to Virginia from the Doak.

The Wolfpack (19-11, 5-5) held a 4-1 lead going into the sixth inning, but the Cavaliers (17-11, 7-6) used a four-run sixth and three-run seventh to take the lead and went to hold off NC State.

NC State left nine runners on base and was 3-13 with runners in scoring position. In both the seventh and eighth innings, Virginia got the Wolfapck to hit into an inning-ending double play to keep any runs from scoring.

Chris McHugh and Brayden Fraasman hit solo home runs in the bottom of the ninth to cut into the four-run deficit. The Wolfpack brought the tying run to the plate after a Ty Head walk but could not capitalize. Fraasman and McHugh each have six home runs on the season to lead the team.

Head went 3-3 at the plate while drawing two walks.

Dominic Fritton (4-3) got the start for the Wolfpack, going 5.2 innings and giving up five earned runs while striking out three. Fritton had two outs in the sixth and two strikes before giving up the go-ahead home run.

A leadoff hit in the first for the Cavaliers was halted by an incredible catch into the outfield wall by Head, followed by an inning-ending line drive double play to Luke Nixon to get out of trouble.

Virginia starting pitcher Jay Woolfolk went 4.2 innings; he struck out six and walked three while giving up four runs, of which only one was earned.

Matthew Buchanan (3-0) got the win for the visitors. In his 1.1 innings of work, he allowed just one walk and struck out two. Despite giving up two home runs, Jack O'Connor got his first save of the season.

The Wolfpack got the first run on the board in the second inning, which started from a one-out walk by Justin DeCriscio. After the walk, Fraasman singled to shallow left, getting runners on first and second. Head would record a single before the Cavaliers shortstop throwing error would bring home DeCriscio.

Back-to-back hits from the Wolfpack were stranded, and a relay from left field kept the game 1-0 in the third.

The Cavaliers drew their first run of the game in the fourth with two hits and a sacrifice fly.

The Wolfpack got the lead back the following half-inning with the help of a throwing error, another single from Head, and a sac fly by Ryan Jaros.

Starting the fifth with a single, the Cavaliers looked to respond, but a runner's interference call would get rid of a base runner, and a successful pickoff attempt by Fritton halted any momentum.

McHugh started a rally in the fifth, picking up a single to shallow right field. Alex Sosa got his first hit of the game with an RBI double to left center field. DeCriscio picked up his second walk of the game, leading to a pitching change for the Cavaliers. Matthew Buchanan came in relief and walked Head. A pass ball would score another run for the Wolfpack, extending the lead to 4-1.

Virginia did not stay quiet for long; a leadoff home run for Aidan Teel brought the Cavaliers some life in the sixth. The Cavaliers got two base runners on with a single and a walk for Jacob Ference; a three-run home run to left center field would give Virginia their first lead of the game at 5-4.

Anderson Nance would come in for Fritton and get out of a bases-loaded jam with a groundout to end the four-run inning.

Virginia led off with another home run, with Eric Becker getting his second hit of the game from the long ball. Virginia drove home another run with an RBI double, giving the Cavaliers three straight base-runners.

Carson Kelley handled the rest of the seventh, coming in for Nance. An error by Matt Heavner allowed a run to score for Virginia.

Matt Lanzendorfer came in for Buchanan in the seventh for the Cavaliers. The Wolfpack drew two baserunners on with a walk and the third error from the visitors, but could not scratch across any runs with an inning-ending double play.

Tristan Potts was summoned out of the bullpen in the eighth inning with one out. Potts would put the next two batters down without any damage.

A leadoff single got things started for the Wolfpack in the eighth, and a pair of walks loaded the bases for the Wolfpack. Another double play would end the inning with the Cavaliers getting out of the jam.

Camden Wimbish got the ninth for the Wolfpack after a Potts strikeout.

McHugh led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run to right center field, his sixth of the year, drawing the Wolfpack within three. Another home run by Fraasman with two outs would bring the deficit to two runs, but the late rally would not be enough.

UP NEXT: The series continues tomorrow, Saturday, Apr. 5th, at 3 p.m. from the Doak and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.