NC State downs Radford 6-3 in Game One

NC State opened their series with Radford on Friday night, recording a 6-3 victory over the Highlanders to improve to improve to 35-12 on the season. Radford falls to 23-22 on the year.

Wolfpack starting pitcher Jason Parker cruised through the first three innings of the game, facing the minimum without allowing a hit.

NC State plated a run in the bottom of the third inning. Jonny Butler and Will Wilson hit back-to-back two-out doubles to give the Wolfpack an early 1-0 lead.

Parker ran into trouble in the 4th inning, issuing three free passes (two walks, one hit-by-pitch) as a little bit of light rain began to fall, which coupled with a pair of singles resulted in a pair of Highlander runs and 2-1 deficit for the Pack.

NC State regained the lead in the 5th inning thanks to an Evan Edwards two-run double. Terrell Tatum led off the inning with a walk, advanced to third on an error by the Radford pitcher on a Dillon Cooper sacrifice bunt, which also advanced Cooper to second base. Will Wilson was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Edwards drive into left field corner put the Pack back on top.

Parker (6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K) gave way to Nick Swiney in the 7th after retiring all six hitters he faced across the 5th and 6th innings. Swiney pitched a scoreless 7th inning before the Wolfpack pushed their lead to 6-2 in the bottom half of the inning. Butler led off the inning with a single, stole second base, and scored on a Wilson bloop single making the score 4-2. Edwards walked to put men on 1st and 2nd and he and Wilson both advanced on a Patrick Bailey fly out. With two outs, Brad Debo doubled in Wilson and Edwards to push the Pack lead out to four at 6-2.

After a quiet 8th inning, Radford made things a little dicey in the 9th. Swiney allowed a single and back-to-back walks before recording a strikeout and giving way to Dalton Feeney. Feeney would only face one hitter, walking in a run to cut the lead to 6-3 and bring the go-ahead run to the plate. Kent Klyman came on and recorded a strikeout and induced a popout to third base to record the save, end the game, and give State their second win a row.

Butler had quite a good game, going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Wilson (2-foor-3, 2B, HBP, R, 2 RBI), Debo (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI), and Edwards (1-for-3, 2B, BB, R, 2 RBI) also all reached base multiple times in the game.

The Wolfpack and Highlanders continue their non-conference series Saturday at 1:00pm, in a game that was originally scheduled for later in the evening (here’s your ESPN ACC Network Extra video link). NC State will send Reid Johnston to the mound while Radford will counter with The Nard Dog, Andrew Nardi.