NC State pounded out 20 hits in the first game of its doubleheader Saturday against Boston College and took the series—having already won the opener Friday—with a 13-7 win. The Wolfpack fell flat in the second game as the Eagles emphatically avoided the sweep, embarrassing State 11-3 at the Doak at Dail.
Saturday’s first game started ominously, as the Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead against normally reliable State starter Johnny Piedmonte. State’s senior righty gave up three hits and walked a pair while allowing those three runs; he only managed to get five outs.
Will Wilson sparked the comeback with a four-hit afternoon. Wilson doubled, drew a walk, scored three runs, and drove in two. Brad Debo and J.T. Jarrett added three-hit performances. A two-run home run from Shane Shepard accounted for State’s first two tallies.
Brett Kinneman’s RBI single scored Josh McLain in the fourth and gave the Wolfpack their first lead at 5-4; they never trailed from there. McLain had a pair of hits and runs scored in the game
With the early exit from Piedmonte, Elliott Avent ended up having to call on five pitchers. Of them, only Kent Klyman managed a scoreless outing. Klyman got the last six outs to record his second save. Nick Swiney, who was credited with the win, allowed a pair of unearned runs in his three innings.
A rough start from David Harrison helped BC open game two with 11 unanswered runs. Harrison gave up six hits, two walks, and hit a batter en route to allowing eight runs in just 2.1 innings. It got so bad that the Kinneman pitcher experiment happened again. He walked two batters on eight straight balls and the experiment was tabled.
The Eagles got seven shutout innings from Brian Rapp, who overcame five walks. Rapp surrendered just two hits and fanned eight.
Kinneman and Debo homered late to help State avoid the shutout, and Cole Hooper made his debut on the mound with a scoreless inning.
The third game from the opening ACC series for both clubs was moved up a day due to Sunday’s cold and wet forecast.
The Wolfpack welcome UNC-Asheville to the Doak at Dail this week for Tuesday and Wednesday games. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. for each contest.