Villaman Keeps Rolling In Wolfpack Win

RALEIGH, NC – Behind another excellent start from freshman left-handed pitcher Chris Villaman, the NC State Wolfpack took down the North Carolina A&T Aggies 10-4 in a mid-week non-conference game. 

The Wolfpack got the scoring started in the bottom of the first as Jonny Butler sent a line-drive that hit the top of the right-field fence and fell over the wall for a three-run home run. Vojtech Mensik ripped a single up-the-middle to drive in Terrell Tatum to increase the lead to 4-0 before Aggie starter Xavier Meachem was able to stop the damage. 

Tyler McDonough kept his strong season at the plate going as the switch-hitting center fielder smashed a double off the left-field wall to drive in Austin Murr as the Pack lead 5-0 after two innings. 

Through four innings Villaman was dealing as he only allowed one hit, delivered no walks, and was efficient on the with only 41 pitches. 

McDonough sent a blast over the left-field wall that took a while to land for a two-run home run in the bottom half of the fourth inning. 

Villaman allowed his first run of the game as Zach McLean hit a shot over the left-field wall to get the Aggies on the board. 

The Wolfpack kept the runs coming in the bottom half of the sixth inning as Jose Torres got the scoring started with a single up-the-middle to drive in Tresh. The Aggies tried the old strike him out, throw him out but failed as Jonny Butler scored from third as the throw from the catcher went down to second. The Wolfpack scored their tenth run of the game as Torres scored when Devonte Brown was stuck in a run-down between first and second. 

North Carolina A&T scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning with the first coming off a passed ball by the catcher to allow Justin Rodriguez to score. The second run of the seventh was scored on a fielders-choice by the second baseman that allowed Justin Wiliams to score. 

The Aggies were able to score once again in the top of the eighth inning on a fielder’s choice that allowed Shane Faulk to score. 

Chris Villaman picked up the win for the Wolfpack as he went six innings, allowing just one run and two hits on only 65 pitches. 

With the win, Villaman picked up his third straight victory and the question is, “when will he be in the weekend rotation?” Through his last three appearances Villaman has thrown 21 innings, only giving up two runs and allowing just six total hits.

NC State will now put their attention to the weekend series in South Bend, Indiana where they will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.