RALEIGH, N.C. – Five NC State pitchers held South Carolina’s powerful offense to just three hits Sunday night to beat the Gamecocks, 2-1, and win an NCAA regional championship for just the third time in school history.
Sophomore Sam Brown (4-1) got the victory and junior Alex Sogard retired all four hitters he faced for his first career save, continuing stellar bullpen performances for the Wolfpack. Since blowing a two saves in the same game against Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament, the Wolfpack bullpen has pitched 15 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.
The Wolfpack (41-20) got its offense from outfielder Jeremy Synan(Northeast Guilford HS grad), who hit a home run in the fifth and an RBI-single by Matt Payne.
“You can’t even describe what it feels like to win this,” Payne said.
The Wolfpack advances to play the winner of Monday’s 7 p.m. game between Georgia and Georgia Tech the NCAA Athens (Ga.) Regional next weekend. If the Bulldogs win, the three-game series will be played in Athens, Ga. If the Yellow Jackets win, they will come to NC State’s Doak Field at Dail Park for a three-game set. Ticket information for either location will be announced later this week on GoPack.com.
*****from Tim Peeler at gopack.com*****