NC State beats Virginia Tech 1-0 to clinch series win

Virginia Tech and NC State seemingly used up all their offense in the first two games of the ACC series in Blacksburg, but the Wolfpack were able to plate one run late in the game to seal the win. With the win, the Wolfpack have now won all four of their conference series this season, and seven straight dating back to last season. At 9-3 in ACC play (23-5 overall), State maintains their first place position in the ACC Atlantic Division.

Brian Brown turned in an excellent performance on the mound, going six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out four. Brown did hit a batter, but also picked off a man at first base. Reid Johnston (3-0) got the win in relief of Brown, pitching a scoreless 7th inning despite allowing a hit and a walk in the inning.

Kent Klyman pitched the next 1.2 innings, working around a pair of Wolfpack throwing errors in the inning to keep the Hokies off the board. After a two-out double in the bottom of the 9th inning by Hokie CF Nick Menken, Joe O’Donnell came in to strike out Joe Freiday to end the game and record his 6th save of the season.

The Wolfpack plated the lone run of the game in the top of the 8th inning, not without a bit of controversy in the inning. Pinch hitter Stephen Pitarra was hit by a pitch that was originally ruled as just a ball. Pitarra then stole second base, but Josh McLain was ruled to have interfered with Hokies catcher Luke Horanski. McLain was ruled out and Pitarra sent back to first base. Pitarra appeared to have re-injured his surgically repaired hamstring on the stolen base attempt and had to leave the game, with Terrell Tatum coming in to run for him. Brett Kinneman then walked to put runners on first and second with one out. After a Will Wilson fly out, Evan Edwards came through in the clutch with a line drive single into right field to drive home Tatum and plate the winning (and only) run of the game.

Brock Deatherage was the only player for either team with multiple hits on the day, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base.

Virginia Tech freshman left-handed pitcher Ian Seymour kept the Wolfpack hitters at bay, going 6.2 innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

NC State has the week off before continuing their ACC road trip with a three-game set at 20th-ranked Louisville. First pitch for that series is slated for Friday, April 6th at 6:00pm.