Rodon, Knizner Pace Pack Nine in Series Opening Win over BC

Carlos Rodon won for the first time since March 8^th and Andrew Knizner continued to rake as N.C. State downed Boston College 5-1 Friday night at the Doak. The Pack crawled tantalizingly close to cracking the top 10 in the ACC standings; only 10 teams make the league tournament.

Despite a 3-6 record, Rodon has pitched well for the Pack. He lowered his season ERA to 2.15 by limiting the Eagles to a run over eight innings. Rodon scattered six hits, walked three, and struck out seven.

Knizner, perhaps the league's top freshman, raised his average to .375 with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate. He got the scoring started in the bottom of the first with a rally-starting base hit, eventually coming home on a two-out single from Preston Palmeiro after Logan Ratledge walked. Palmeiro, another freshman, also enjoyed a 2-for-4 game.

Knizner's two-out, two run double gave the Pack some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth after the Eagles had clawed to within a run. Knizner's two-bagger was his team-leading ninth of the season. Trea Turner was just 1-for-4 and saw his average slip to under .300 (.299), but he did draw a walk and score a run.

Pittsburgh lost at home in 11 innings to Clemson and Virginia Tech fell by a run at home against Duke, allowing N.C. State to tie the Hokies and move to within a game of the Panthers. The Pack, if they can escape inclement weather forecast for the weekend, have a chance to make up more ground Saturday and Sunday against BC, the team with the worst record in the ACC (3-17).

Here are the up-to-the-second standings in the race for the final tournament spot: