NC State baseball weekend recap: Pack keeps momentum

On3 imageby:Matt Carter04/04/22

TheWolfpacker

After sweeping Georgia Tech and then taking a significant midweek win at rival East Carolina, NC State baseball went to Clemson for a key three-game series for both teams.

The Pack was looking to keep its momentum. Clemson, however, was looking to snap a stretch in which it had gone 3-7 in its prior 10 games. Could NC State keep up its hot streak, or would the Tigers get back on track after starting the season 14-0?

The answer came down to the final at bat.

Clemson trounced NC State in the series opener Friday, 14-3. The Wolfpack responded by taking game two, 5-2.

In the rubber match, the Pack had scored the first four runs when Clemson came to the plate in the bottom of the third. When NC State stepped up to bat in the top of the sixth, the Pack was trailing 6-4. NC State would tie in that frame and add two more runs in the seventh to go ahead, 8-6.

NC State added an insurance run in the ninth. Sophomore lefty Chris Villaman then hit Clemson’s leadoff hitter to start the bottom of the ninth and gave back-to-back two out hits to surrender a run. When the winning run at the plate, Villaman struck out Clemson pinch hitter David Lewis to secure a 9-7 victory and the series win.

NC State is 18-9 overall and 6-5 in the ACC. Clemson falls to 18-9 and 2-6.

At The Plate For NC State Baseball

The breakout star of the weekend was sophomore outfielder Noah Soles.

When Soles signed in 2020, the high school teammate of Villaman at Ledford High in Thomasville, N.C., was considered a touted signing. NC State had to sweat out Soles being drafted in the 19th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Yet, Soles had to wait his turn behind two talented lineups during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season and the College World Series trip in 2021.

Soles is now finding his comfort zone at the plate. He went 8 for 11 against Clemson with two home runs, a double, four runs scored and seven runs batted in.

Sophomore first baseman LuJames Groover III continues to swing a hot bat, going 6 for 15 at Clemson with a homer, three runs scored, four RBI and a stolen base.

On The Mound

NC State baseball owes the series win over Clemson largely to a pair of relievers.

On Saturday, super senior lefty Canaan Silver threw 3.2 innings of scoreless ball, allowing three hits and walk while striking out five batters.

In Silver’s last four appearances, he has tossed 12.1 innings without giving up a run. He’s surrendered six hits and three walks while fanning 13.

On Sunday, sophomore righthander Justin Lawson prevented Clemson from doing any more damage during a three-run fifth by striking out the last two batters. Lawson would go on to throw 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while fanning five.

Midweek Action Ahead For NC State Baseball

NC State’s first loss of the season came at Campbell on March 2, a 7-4 defeat on the road. That started a stretch in which the Pack was 3-7 over a 10-game period.

Now, Campbell returns to Raleigh Tuesday. The Camels are on a five-game winning streak and has a 15-12 overall record, including 5-1 in the Big South Conference. Campbell was a heavy preseason favorite to win the league.

The game has a 6 p.m., first pitch and will be televised online by ACC Network Extra.

ACC Standings And Schedule

Atlantic Division

TeamACC W-LPct.Overall W-LPct.
Louisville7-2.77822-6.786
Notre Dame5-4.55616-5.762
NC State6-5.54518-9.667
Wake Forest6-6.50021-7.750
Florida State6-6.50016-11.593
Clemson2-6.25018-9.667
Boston College2-10.16712-16.429

Coastal Division

TeamACC W-LPct.Overall W-LPct.
Miami10-2.83321-6.778
Virginia9-3.75023-5.893
North Carolina6-6.50020-8.714
Virginia Tech5-5.50017-7.708
Pittsburgh5-6.45515-11.577
Georgia Tech5-7.41718-11.621
Duke3-9.25012-16.429

Weekend Series Scoreboard

NC State at Clemson — Pack wins 2-1

Louisville at Pittsburgh — Pitt wins 2-1

Wake Forest at Boston College — Wake Forest wins 2-1

Georgia Tech at Virginia — Virginia wins 2-1

Miami at Duke — Miami wins 3-0

Virginia Tech at North Carolina — Virginia Tech wins 2-1

Notre Dame at Florida State — Notre Dame wins 3-0

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