Wolfpack Victorious 3-1 Over #22 Virginia Tech

RALIEGH, NC- The NC State Wolfpack (17-13, 10-12 ACC) snagged a massive conference win over the #22 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies (21-13, 15-10 ACC) 3-1 on Friday night. The victory marked NC State’s eighth at home on the year as it was the first meeting between the two rivals at Doak Field at Dail Park since 2017. 

It was a great night to be a pitcher for either team in this one, as there was just a total of 10 hits and four runs between the two clubs. 

6 foot 3 Freshmen Sam Highfill toed the rubber for the ninth time in 2021 for the Wolfpack. Heading into the start he supported a 3-2 record to go along with a 4.47 ERA. A usual Saturday starter came into the game with one less day of rest as manager Elliott Avent shook up the rotation for the series. 

He had his hands full taking on an aggressive Hokies lineup who have the ACC’s top hitter in right fielder Gavin Cross.

 It would not faze the right-hander turning in a stunning performance tossing six 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, two walks, and striking out six. The quality start earned him his fourth win of the season and his seventh of his collegiate career. 

Highfill would retire the first six Hokies in order, quickly and efficiently. He needed just 13 pitches that resulted in three flyouts, two ground outs, and a swinging strikeout. Highfill had an effective game plan heading into the contest against his challenging opponent. He consistently was pounding the outside zone with fastballs while mixing in his sidearm slider. 

Hokies Peyton Alford was the opposing pitcher, and it marked his 10th start on the season. He carried a 1-2 record with an ERA of 5.21. He made quick work himself, sitting down the first nine Wolfpack batters he faced on just 34 pitches. He finished the evening logging in seven innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, three walks, and eight strikeouts. 

Highfill’s impressive streak ended with Tanner Thomas drawing a five-pitch walk in the top of the third inning. Two batters later, the Hokies executed a successful hit and run from a Dayne Leonard single to put two runners on with one out. Highfill would get consecutive outs to work around trouble, including an inning-ending strikeout.

He would escape yet another jam with one out in the fourth, putting two Virginia Tech runners on base. He forced the Hokies to fly out and ground out to keep it scoreless, thanks to Tyler McDonough, who made a pair of outstanding plays in centerfield. The defense has been a strength for the Wolfpack this entire season as they are the second-ranked in the ACC and the third-ranked defense in the Nation. 

In the bottom of the fourth, NC State put up the first run on the board that came off their first hit on Alford. The top hitter for the Wolfpack, Austin Murr, mashed a solo home run for his sixth on the campaign to make the score 1-0. 

The lineup continued to figure things out the second time through against Alford as both McDonough and Jonny Butler drew walks. However, Alford would escape further damage to keep the score 1-0 through four innings. 

In the fifth, the Wolfpack continued their late success off of the Hokies starter. Vojtech Mensik and Terrell Tatum started it off with a pair of singles. They would eventually double their lead to 2-0 off a sac bunt from J.T. Jarrett, who collected his 14th RBI on the year. For the third straight inning, the Wolfpack would add to their advantage off of an unearned run from a throwing error that knocked in Butler. The Hokies’ mistake put NC State ahead 3-0 after six innings. 

Wolfpack reliever Evan Justice took over the pitching duties in the top of the seventh. He kept it going, following the great performance by Highfill. He finished the game going two 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, and struck out four. 

The Wolfpack eye a series-clinching victory tomorrow as they continue to host the Hokies for the weekend on Saturday, April 24th at 7:00 pm.