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N. C. State completed a two-game sweep of visiting New Mexico State, a team that made the NCAA tournament last season, with an 8-3 victory Thursday at Doak Field. Grant Clyde had a pair of doubles among three hits and Trea Turner launched his second home run of the season to highlight an 11-hit attack.
But the series, and the young season so far, has belonged to fifth-year senior Brett Williams, who went 4-for-7 with a walk, a pair of steals, three runs, and four RBI in the two-game set. Williams is batting .464 with a team-high three dingers and 14 ribbies in the seven games he has played, and his hot hitting is a big reason the Pack (7-1) are riding a seven-game win streak.
Williams even has our steals, just one behind Turner for the team lead. Turner, who is batting .483 while scoring 16 runs so far, and Williams have made for a dynamic one-two top of the order for Elliot Avent. And of course it doesn't hurt that Williams can do this.
The Pack have outscored their opponents 84-12 during the win streak, and the bullpen, which did not allow a run in either game against the Aggies (3-6), is a big reason why. Andrew Woeck fanned three in two and a third scoreless innings to get the win in the second game of the series. He was followed by Grant Sasser and Ryan Wilkins, who combined to allow just one hit in three innings of work.
Travis Orwig went four innings for the win in relief in game one, surrendering just one hit and striking out 3 in his scoreless outing. Jon Olczak made his Pack debut with a scoreless ninth. In sum, Pack relievers hurled 10 and a third shutout frames against the Aggies.
Defense has also been a strength for the Pack so far. They have committed 10 errors compared to 24 by their opponents, and State has turned five double plays while hitting into just one.
The Aggies, who have had a rough time of it during their trip to Our State, losing two of three in the Keith LeClaire Classic at ECU before dropping a pair in Raleigh, head to Winston-Salem for a three-game slate with Wake Forest over the weekend.
The Wolfpack, who have played all eight of their games in the friendly confines of Doak Field, venture on the road this weekend for the Caravelle Resort's Baseball at the Beach event. They play UMBC Friday and Florida Atlantic Saturday before squaring off against the host Chanticleers Sunday. Coastal won the Big South regular season and tournament championships last season en route to a 42-win season.