Pack Nine Sweep Longwood

N.C. State trailed in two of three games but ultimately took care of business against Longwood, sweeping the non-conference weekend three-game set by scores of 3-2, 6-1, and 6-3. The six runs allowed were the fewest the team have yielded all season in a three-game series; State allowed eight runs in its previous best from-the-bump effort against UNC.

The bullpen gets much of the credit for the impressive moundsmanship. Joe O'Donnell got the win with four shutout innings of one-hit ball in game one. The sophomore righty improved to 6-3 with a 2.17 ERA.

Freshman Brian Brown leads Pack qualifiers in ERA (2.09) and did nothing to blemish that mark after allowing just an unearned run over 5.2 innings in game two. USC-East transfer Curt Britt continued the strong bullpen performances with 3.1 shutout innings behind Brown to pick up his first save as a member of the Pack.

Will Gilbert allowed six baserunners and balked in his 2.1 innings of relief in the finale but somehow limited the damage to one run in picking up his second win. Tommy DeJuneas played right field, center field, and then closed the game out from the mound. He had a hit and two RBI at the plate and retired all 10 batters he faced for his fourth save.

Andrew Knizner paced the Pack offense with a 6-for-11 weekend that included a double, a run scored, and five RBI.

State returns to ACC play next weekend at Wake Forest. The Pack currently sit 7^th overall in the ACC with a half-game lead over the Deacs; the Pack trail Notre Dame for the play-in avoiding 6^th spot in the conference tournament by just half a game.