NC State Wolfpack, Ryan Wilson, Spectacular Magazine,
Sports

Wolfpack Drop Game 1 To Clemson

Ryan Wilson

RALEIGH, NC – The NC State Wolfpack opened up the series with the visiting Clemson Tigers falling 10-6 in a game that featured 25 combined hits. 

The Tigers opened up the scoring in the top of the first with a two-run blast over the center-field fence from Dylan Brewer. The Wolfpack responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. The first came from Jonny Butler as he singled through the left side of the infield and the next two coming off a Devonte Brown two-RBI single. 

JT Jarrett increased the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the second inning for the Pack as he hit a line drive shot over the left-field fence. 

Tyler McDonough opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning with a laser up the middle for an RBI single. Two batters later, Butler drove in Austin Murr with an RBI double into the right-center gap. 

Dylan Brewer tied the game at six in the top of the fifth for Clemson as he smacked an opposite-field grand-slam over the left-field fence for his second home-run of the game. 

NC State starter Reid Johnston was pulled in the top of the eighth inning, leaving runners on the corners with no outs for right-handed reliever Dalton Feeny, who walked the next batter to load the bases. 

On the next pitch, Alex Urban laced a single into right-field to drive in two runs and give the Tigers their first lead since the top of the first inning. Feeny was relieved by another right-hander out of the bullpen Cooper King, who got one out, walked the bases loaded, and then was relieved by Coby Ingle. 

Ingle allowed a two-run double to Kier Meredith before getting Brewer to fly out to the center-field wall, as the Tigers led 10-6 halfway through the eighth inning. 

Clemson threatened in the top of the ninth inning but Ingle beared down and closed out the Tigers, leaving runners on second and third. Jonny Butler ripped a double in the bottom half of the ninth to give him his fourth hit of the game, but that was all NC State could get going. 

The series will continue Saturday evening as Sam Highfill will take the mound for the Wolfpack and Keyshawn Askew set to take the hill for the Tigers. The first pitch is set for 7 PM.