Boston College baseball looked to even the series against No. 10 NC State on Saturday. Facing a top-10 team in scoring, home runs, and ERA, it was the Eagles’ offense that showed up in Raleigh, scoring eight runs in the eighth inning.
After dropping the first game of the series, BC (11–7, 3–2 Atlantic Coast) defeated the Wolfpack (15–4, 1–1) by a score of 12–5 to set up a rubber match on Sunday afternoon.
Nick Wang started the game in his typical fashion, sending a solo shot to left field in the first inning for his ninth home run of the year. The quick offensive start gave the Eagles the early lead, allowing them to play with momentum.
“I felt like consistently, our at-bats were putting pressure on them,” BC head coach Todd Interdonato said.
NC State immediately jumped on BC starter Tyler Mudd in the second frame with a Mikey Ryan single and a perfectly placed Luke Nixon bunt. Sherman Johnson and Brayden Fraasman followed with consecutive sacrifice flies to put the Wolfpack up 2–1, while a Ty Head single with two outs extended the lead once again.
BC’s bats remained hot in the fourth inning, loading the bases for Jace Roossien, who laced a two-RBI single to bring Esteban Garcia and Luke Gallo across the plate. Colin Larson then sent a ground ball to the right side of the field for a single, scoring another run and making it a 4–3 ball game.
“Our guys have done a good job pushing through,” Interdonato said. “I think our guys have just done a good job of competing, wherever they are.”
Kyle Kipp took the ball from Mudd in the fourth inning, putting up three scoreless innings in relief to keep the Wolfpack at bay and maintain BC’s lead.
Jacob Dudan, NC State’s starting pitcher, was able to quiet down the Eagles’ offense as well, showcasing his upper-90s fastball and using his slider as his strikeout pitch to silence BC’s bats.
NC State’s Drew Lanphere got the Wolfpack back on the scoreboard, sending a 361-foot blast to even the game at four apiece. Following the home run, Ryan’s 11-pitch at-bat generated another run for NC State, putting BC up 5–4 as the seventh inning came to a close.
BC’s offense proved not to be done, however, loading the bases to start the eighth and putting pressure on the Wolfpack bullpen to close out the game. After a Nixon error and a Collins Black wild pitch, the Eagles found themselves with a one-run lead.
“I do think it speaks to [the team’s] resiliency, of how we’ve been able to win some games on the road,” Interdonato said.
BC’s resilience was on full display Saturday afternoon. Despite the game being in the eighth inning, the Eagles were just getting started.
A Larson three-run triple cleared the bases to cement the Eagles’ comeback, and a Ty Mainolfi three-run blast extended the lead to seven runs. The eight-run eighth inning propelled BC to a crucial 12–5 victory to even the series.
“Like baptism by fire,” said Interdonato. “The start of league play brings about different emotions. [Our players] have been put through the wringer so far this year, and they seem like they’re responding.”
