NC State beats Virginia Tech 3-1 behind Sam Highfill’s gem

There wasn’t much offense to be had on Friday night, but NC State got the better of it thanks largely to Sam Highfill’s excellent pitching performance. Highfill pitched 6-2/3 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just four hits while striking out six.

The Wolfpack got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning with a line-shot home run to right field by Austin Murr.

State managed only four base hits on the evening, but three were for extra bases. Vojtech Mensik’s leadoff double in the bottom of the fifth eventually became the Pack’s second run, and it added a third in the sixth when Jonny Butler came around on a Tech throwing error.

Evan Justice spelled Highfill in the seventh and took State home, though there were some iffy moments along the way. But Virginia Tech couldn’t get itself on the scoreboard until there were two outs in the ninth, and Justice shut the door with his third strikeout of the frame.

It’s a great start to an important series for NC State, which improved to 17-13 (10-12). The Pack and Hokies will be back at it on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network.