NC State snaps slide, shuts out Tribe

NC State snapped a frustrating stretch of close losses Friday with a comfortable 5-0 win over the punchless Tribe of William & Mary at the Doak at Dail, as four pitchers combined for a shutout. That’s a solid formula: don’t give up runs = winning.

Reid Johnston moved to 7-0 in his impressive freshman campaign with 5.2 scoreless innings. He allowed four hits, didn’t walk anybody, and struck out five. Bullpen stalwarts Nolan Clenney and Kent Klyman followed. Clenney gave up a couple of hits but recorded three of the four outs on his ledger via strikeout. Klyman worked a drama-free eighth, fanning one, before David Harrison was dusted off to close things out in the ninth.

Patrick Bailey was the story for the Pack at the plate. The freshmen switch hitter blasted a pair of solo homers in a 3-for-4 night that saw him score three times. Bailey is up to nine round-trippers on the season, so he’ll join Brett Kinneman (13), Will Wilson (12), and Evan Edwards (11) with double digit long balls with one more big fly.

Stephen Pitarra had two hits in two at-bats and added a walk and sac bunt. Brock Deatherage (2-for-4) also enjoyed a multi-hit game.

The Wolfpack will try to nail down the series Saturday at 6:30 p.m. behind Brian Brown, who will be looking to tie Johnston for the team lead with seven wins.