East Carolina University
North Carolina State
Pirates Fall To Wolfpack 7-0 In Midweek Action
March 03, 2015 | Baseball
RALEIGH, N.C. -Logan Ratledge drove in three runs including a two-run homer as NC State topped East Carolina 7-0 Tuesday afternoon at Doak Field. With the win the Wolfpack improves to 6-3, while the Pirates drop to 5-5 on the year.
In a scoreless tie in the to the bottom of the fifth, Ratledge belted a high fastball from Jimmy Boyd staking the Wolfpack to a 2-0 lead. Jake Fincher reached on an infield single to second with one out and moved into scoring position on a Boyd balk, just two pitches before scoring on Ratledge's shot to left field, his first of the season.
Curt Britt (1-0) picked up the win for NC State on a designated staff outing allowing one hit in 1.1 innings. Starter Johnny Piedmonte worked three scoreless frames with three strikeouts to set the tone for the afternoon. The Wolfpack used six pitchers in the contest which consisted of Brad Stone (1.1 IP, 2 Ks), Joe O'Donnell (1.1 IP, 1K), Will Gilbert (1.0 IP, 2 Ks) and Jon Olczak (1.0 IP, 2 Ks).
Boyd (1-2) suffered the loss allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits with a walk and a strikeout in six full innings. The right-hander managed to throw just 68 pitches in the contest (48 strikeouts) facing 25 batters. Nick Durazo made his fifth appearance of the season giving up two runs (both unearned) on one hits, while Evan Voliva was touched for three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. Ross Gardner made his second relief appearance giving up a hit in two-thirds of a frame.
NC State broke the game open scoring a pair of runs in the sixth padding its lead to 4-0. Ratledge drove in his third run of the game on a sac fly pushing across Joe Dunand. Preston Palmeiro followed with a double to right center scoring Jake Armstong, who reached on an error during his pinch hit at-bat.
The Pack added three runs in the eighth putting the game out of reach at 7-0. Dunand had a two-RBI double down the left field line scoring Chance Shepard and Tommy DeJuneas. Armstrong capped the scoring two batters later with an RBI double to left field easily allowing Dunand from third.
The Pirates managed just five hits on the afternoon getting a pair from Travis Watkins his second multi-hit game of the year. Hunter Allen and Charlie Yorgen each had doubles, while Garrett Brooks reached on an infield single. ECU left nine on base in the game, but was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Early in the contest Parker Lamm threw out Fincher at the plate to end the bottom of the third inning. Fincher reached on an infield single to first, took second on a Yorgen error before racing towards home on Ratledge's single. Lamm threw a perfect strike to the plate where Watkins was waiting with the tag.
ECU will play host to Old Dominion on Wednesday, Mar. 4 with a 4 p.m. (EST) scheduled first pitch.
