ATHENS -- N.C. State used a four-run seventh inning to pull away from Georgia in a 10-6 win over the Bulldogs in Game 2 of the Athens Super Regional on Saturday at Foley Field.
The two teams will meet again in the series-deciding Game 3 at 4:07 p.m. Sunday at Foley Field with the winner advancing to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
"I'm real proud of our guys in how they battled in an elimination game," N.C. State head coach Elliott Avent said. "It showed the true character and grit of this team in how they battle and never quit. Today they battled against a good team, tough environment, and the heat. It just shows the mindset that we've had all season long."
N.C. State (42-21) was led offensively by Dallas Poulk, Marcus Jones, Russell Wilson and Tommy Foschi, who had two hits apiece. Starter Jake Buchanan (3-2) allowed three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings to earn the win.
Georgia (40-23-1) wasted little time in getting on the board as Ryan Peisel blasted the second pitch of the game over the wall in right center to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
The Wolfpack tied the game in the bottom of the inning then chased Georgia starter Nathan Moreau with three more runs in the third. Stephen Dodson came on in relief for Georgia and threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Meanwhile, single runs in the fourth and fifth pulled Georgia to within 4-3.
N.C. State added four runs off Georgia reliever Dean Weaver in the seventh to lengthen its lead to 8-3. Drew Martin, the Wolfpack's No. 9 hitter, led off with a walk, and a double by Poulk put runners on second and third. After Ryan Pond drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, and walks to Matt Payne and Jones loaded the bases for Jeremy Synan, who drew another free pass to bring in a run. Foschi followed an RBI groundout with a two-out double that scored Jones.
N.C. State added two more runs in the eighth before Georgia tacked on three in the ninth. The Bulldogs had the tying run on deck when Eryk McConnell got Matt Cerione to strikeout to end the game.
The Wolfpack, who improved to 2-17 all-time on a host team's home field in NCAA Tournament action, took advantage of nine walks by Georgia pitchers. It was the Wolfpack's fourth win this year against a top 10 team.
Peisel led the Bulldogs, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, and Cerione added two hits. A two-out, two-run single by Bryce Massanari capped a three-run ninth for the Bulldogs that provided the final margin. Moreau (4-3) took the loss, surrendering four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.
"They did a good job today and you have to tip your cap to them," Georgia head coach David Perno said. "They answered what we did in the first inning after we got the lead and went ahead of us.
"We gave up way too many walks today, they played nicely, and we just have to regroup before tomorrow and be ready. Hopefully the runs we scored in the ninth will give us a boost going into tomorrow."
Thursday
October 24th, 2024
6:21PM
