NC State eliminates Georgia Southern 5-2:
Mazzoni handcuffed the Eagles on four hits over eight innings that allowed the Wolfpack to extend their season. N.C. State (35-26) will face the loser of tonight's winner's bracket match-up between No. 1 seed South Carolina and No. 2 seed Stetson on Sunday at 1 p.m.
They call him "Money Mazz" for a reason. With the team facing elimination, Mazzoni pitched eight strong innings, struck out 12, walked one, allowed just one extra base hit, and beat Southern's ace (who was relieved by the closer) in the process. He was so good, there should be a new word for "flummoxed" invented in his honor. Shanbankled. Whimspralled.
Southern eventually ran out of pitching and had to turn to a scrub in the 9th inning, and State took advantage of that by adding a couple of insurance runs. There wasn't very much late inning drama in this one, thankfully, and the cushion wasn't necessary.
NC State will play the loser of tonight's USC/Stetson game tomorrow at 1 PM. (Pray it's USC.) Rob Chamra will get the start.
