NC State Baseball Pulls Off Incredible Comeback Against Virginia: A Thrilling 9-8 Victory
RALEIGH, NC – In an electrifying showdown at Doak Field, NC State Baseball showcased resilience and power, overcoming an 8-2 deficit in the seventh inning to secure a stunning 9-8 victory against the Virginia Cavaliers. With an impressive display of home runs and a never-say-die attitude, the Wolfpack (21-11, 7-5) achieved their third ACC series win of the season.
The Turning Point: A Grand Slam from Lanphere
The turning point of the game came in the seventh inning when the Wolfpack found themselves trailing. With the bases loaded and the roar of the crowd in the background, Drew Lanphere entered as a pinch hitter and delivered a majestic grand slam, drastically cutting the deficit to 8-6 and sending shockwaves through the stands. This monumental hit was Lanphere’s first home run of the season and he matched his personal best of four RBIs in a game, previously set against Queens last year.
Key Players Shine
Exciting Plays and Tactical Execution
In the critical seventh inning, Brayden Fraasman led off with a single, which was backed up by Luke Nixon getting hit by a pitch and a walk awarded to pinch-hitter Brandon Novy. These pivotal plays set the stage for Lanphere’s heroics. After a scoreless eighth inning, the tension escalated.
As the bottom of the ninth unfolded, Virginia began with two strikeouts, almost sealing their victory. However, Lanphere once again demonstrated composure, keeping the inning alive with a crucial single, marking his second hit of the game. Ty Head contributed to the rally by drawing his 36th walk of the season, bringing Josh Hogue to the plate in a hitter-friendly 3-1 count.
Hogue’s Heroics
In a moment that will be etched in Wolfpack history, Josh Hogue stepped up to the challenge and blasted a three-run home run over the left-center wall. This dramatic walk-off not only clinched the game but also made it the first walk-off home run for NC State since Brandon Butterworth accomplished the feat against UNC last season.
A Strong Start and Pitching Breakdown
The game began with a bang as Justin DeCriscio launched a two-run home run in the first inning, putting NC State on the board and showcasing his power as he hit his second home run in two days. DeCriscio’s contribution was instrumental, as he has now accumulated six homers for the season.
On the mound, Ryan Marohn started the contest for NC State, pitching five innings while yielding eight hits and four earned runs, striking out three. After him, Anderson Nance stepped in during the sixth inning, where he faced challenges that allowed Virginia to extend their lead. Remarkably, Tristan Potts made a notable impact in his limited action, throwing a scoreless eighth inning to maintain the deficit.
In the decisive ninth, Jacob Dudan secured the win after allowing a hit and a walk but skillfully induced a groundball double play to end the Virginia threat, keeping the Wolfpack in striking distance.
A Look at the Cavaliers
The Cavaliers (17-13, 7-8) consistently had leadoff batters reaching base, finishing the game 5-for-9 in that position. Tomas Valincius delivered a solid performance on the mound, going 6.1 innings with only two hits and four earned runs, along with seven strikeouts, at one point retiring nine consecutive Wolfpack hitters.
Their early lead came courtesy of three consecutive hits, including a two-run home run from Henry Ford, who ultimately contributed significantly to Virginia’s total run count.
What’s Next for the Wolfpack?
UP NEXT: The NC State Wolfpack is set to stay in the Tar Heel State for their next matchup as they travel to Greenville to face off against East Carolina in midweek action on Tuesday, April 8th, at 6 p.m. The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly anticipate further thrilling moments from this resilient team.
Make sure to catch all the action and witness the unwavering spirit of the Wolfpack! For more updates and information, check out their official website NC State Athletics.
