NC State pulls away late, downs UNC-Asheville 6-2

The NC State Baseball team put up a combined five runs over the 6th and 7th innings Wednesday to pull away from UNC-Asheville and complete the midweek series sweep of the Bulldogs, winning the game by a final score of 6-2.

In a game that had been a relative duel between the two pitching staffs, Josh McLain put the Wolfpack ahead for good in the 6th inning with a two-RBI double down the left field line, driving in Shane Shepard and Jack Conley. The Pack added three additional runs the following inning off a single by Brock Deatherage that scored Will Wilson, and a two-RBI single by Dillon Cooper that scored Devonte Brown and Jack Conley. Conley scored three of the six NC State runs on the afternoon, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances (single, three walks).

Freshman LHP David Harrison, NC State’s Sunday starter in the early season, got the start on the mound for the Wolfpack. Despite allowing just one hit and striking out five batters over 3.1 innings, Harrison struggled with his control, walking six batters. Four of those walks came in the second inning, plating one of the two UNC-Asheville runs on the day. Harrison had thrown 76 pitches when he got the hook in the fourth inning.

The one-out single by UNC-Asheville CF Chris Troost off Harrison in the first inning would be the only hit Wolfpack hurlers allowed until the ninth inning. Reid Johnston and Nick Swiney combined to throw 4.2 innings of scoreless, hitless ball. Coupled with Harrison’s outing, Wolfpack hurlers recorded 23 outs between UNC-Asheville hits.

Johnston (2-0) got the win, walking one and striking out three. Kent Klyman pitched the ninth inning for the Wolfpack, surrendering one unearned run on a pair of hits and a walk, but also inducing a double play and striking out the last hitter of the game. The run allowed by Klyman was the first he has allowed this season.

Will Wilson and Dillon Cooper recorded multiple hits on the day for NC State. Wilson was 2-for-4 on the day with a double, a walk, and a run scored. Cooper went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while also making a spectacular defensive play at third base.

NC State moves to 15-3 on the season heading into a weekend road series at ACC foe and Top-10 ranked Clemson.