Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – In a masterful pitching performance from both teams, No. 6 NC State was able to scrape across the only run of the game in the eighth frame as the Wolfpack won the ACC series over Virginia Tech, two games to one, with a 1-0 decision on Saturday afternoon at English Field at Union Park.
Tech starter Ian Seymour scattered five hits and two walks over 6.2 frames and struck out seven batters while holding NC State scoreless in his time on the mound. However, Wolfpack starter Brian Brown was just as effective over six innings with four strikeouts, while allowing four hits and two walks.
Tech (11-15, 5-7 ACC) looked to break the scoreless tie in the fifth as a walk, a one-out single and a hit batsmen loaded the bases – the third time to that point a Hokie was on third base. Brown was able to get a double play ball, though, to end the threat.
With runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth – the first time the Wolfpack had a player reach third – NC State's Evan Edwards delivered a single to score pinch-runner Terrell Tatum to break the scoreless tie.
NC State (23-5, 9-3 ACC) almost gave away its advantage in the Hokies' home half as two errors put runners on first and second with one out. This time, though, reliever Kent Klyman induced the double-play ball to get out of the jam.
After Nick Menken doubled with two outs in the ninth, NC State went to its fourth pitcher of the game, Joe O'Donnell, who got the final out with a strikeout to pick up his sixth save of the year.
Inside the Box
- Luke Horanski – personal best and team-long hitting streak ended at 11 games.
- Menken – double, second of his career.
- Graham Seitz – one scoreless inning pitched, seven this season, 11 in his career; extended a career-long consecutive scoreless innings pitched streak to 6.0 straight; struck out the side in the ninth for the first time this year, second time in his career; four strikeouts in all, a career high.
- Seymour – 6.2 scoreless innings pitched, pushing his consecutive scoreless innings pitched streak to a season-long 10.2 innings; 34 scoreless innings thrown overall this year; fourth quality start of the season; seven strikeouts pushing his season total to 51.
Additional Notes
- This was the first 1-0 ballgame at English Field at Union Park since the Hokies beat Campbell, 1-0, on May 12, 2004 and the first ever lost by Tech at English Field at Union Park.
- The last home game the Hokies lost 1-0 was back on April 5, 1972 versus North Carolina at Tech Park.
- The last 1-0 games in Tech's history – won or lost – ironically happened the same day in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Tech beat Toledo 1-0 on Feb. 28, 2015 in 10 innings before losing 1-0 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Rockets.
- This was just the second 1-0 game ever played by the Hokies in an ACC game - last beating Boston College, 1-0, in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts on May 3, 2013.
Up Next
- The Hokies will conclude their five-game home stand with a nonconference game against Dayton at English Field at Union Park with first pitch set for 6 p.m.
Tickets
- For those fans looking to attend any of the next two games in the series, please be aware tickets are required for ACC games at English Field at Union Park. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets in advance.