Five Home Runs Leads NC State Past Alabama

RUSTON, LA -The North Carolina State University hit five home runs as they make an 8-1 statement win in their opening game of the 2021 College World Series against Alabama. in the NCAA Ruston Regional on Friday afternoon, at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston, La.

All eight of its runs came by way of the home run, as Luca Tresh, Devonte Brown, Tyler McDonough, and Jose Torres combined for five on the day. It is the third time this year NC State has belted five home runs in a game.

Throughout this season, scoring has been State’s strongest attribute. Their hot-bat continued, but their defense prevailed.

Tresh and Brown both went deep in back-to-back at-bats to put the Pack up 2-0 in the second inning, then McDonough doubled the team’s lead in the third with his team-leading 15th homer of the year, a two-run shot off the scoreboard in right field.

Bama’s only run of the game came in the fifth off of Jackson Tate’s solo shot to right field, but Torres responded in the bottom frame with a three-run blast to left field for his seventh long ball of the year.

Brown went yard in the eighth for his second of the game and 11th of the season to close out the Pack’s scoring. NC State now has five players who have hit double-digit home runs this season.

In today’s matchup, State only gave up four hits and one run. Pitcher, Reid Johnston, for the Pack has had a productive season himself.

In the 79 innings, Johnston has pitched, he has given 68 hits and 39 runs scored. Not bad, considering his 7-2 record.

In his eight IPs, Johnston finished with more strikeouts than hits; seven. This performance pushed his record to 8-2.

Freshman Nick Villiman finished the ninth inning for Johnston. He had zero hits and two strikeouts.

Villiman has hope for a promising collegiate career if developed right. In his 53 IP’s he has given up 39 hits and 27 runs. His play style needs to be honed in, but  his talent and arm strength has presented his self.

NC State (30-17, ACC 19-14) will face the winner of Friday night’s Louisiana Tech vs. Rider game Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.