N.C. State Takes Game and Season Series Over ECU
May 10, 2005 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C.--Ryan Pond's three-run homer in the top of the fourth was the difference as N.C. State shutout East Carolina 3-0 Tuesday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium. ECU (28-20) got a strong performance from starting pitcher Chris Powell in his first career start but it was not enough as Wolfpack pitchers held the Pirates to just four hits on the night.
Powell tossed a career-high seven innings in a losing effort. The red-shirt freshman allowed just three runs on eight hits while striking out two Wolfpack batters. Brett Braxton did not allow a hit and struck out two in two scorless innings of work.
Adam Witter led ECU at the plate, going 2-for-3 while Dale Mollenhauer, Mark Minicozzi and Drew Costanzo all tallied one hit for ECU.
In just his third career start for N.C. State (33-13), Andrew Brackman earned his second win of the season, with both coming against ECU in Greenville. The freshman right-hander made his second shutout outing against the Pirates, tossing five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out three. Jason Duncan tossed three scoreless innings in relief of Brackman, allowing two hits while striking out three. Joey Devine came on in the ninth to record his 10th save of the season.
Ramon Corona was the lone Wolfpack batter to collect multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Six other Wolfpack batters finished with a hit on the night.
After consecutive singles by Corona and Aaron Bates, Pond hit the three-run shot to right-center, giving N.C. State a 3-0 lead in the third.
ECU will travel to Asheville for another in-state battle with UNC Asheville before traveling to Birmingham this weekend to take on UAB in C-USA action. First pitch Wednesday versus the Bulldogs is slated for 3 p.m. at Greenwood Field.
