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Miami Downs NC State 4-2 in First Round of ACC Tournament
The No. 4-seed Miami Hurricanes squeaked by No. 9-seed NC State 4-2 in the first round of the ACC Tournament.
NC State worked its way out of loaded bases across three different innings. It was nine of 13 batters that Miami batters would strand.
While the Hurricanes didn't have the most success in bringing their baserunners home, the Miami pitchers ensured the Wolfpack had the same struggles. And they did. NC State left 10 runners on base.
After the first inning saw both teams tack on two runs, the game had the makings of a high-scoring affair. At many points in the game, it still seemed like it might be. To keep that from happening, it was the clutch pitching by both teams which made the difference.
Miami got on the board first with a two-run home run by left fielder Edgardo Villegas, scoring first baseman CJ Cayfus.
With the bases loaded in the first inning, NC State first baseman Eli Serrano III hit a single which tallied two RBIs, tying the game.
Gage Ziehl started the game for Miami and pitched 4 2/3 innings while striking out five batters and allowing six hits with two earned runs.
NC State's offense managed to get eight hits, but when it came to bringing the runners home, the Pack sputtered. For Miami, it was much of the same. But, the Canes found a way to break through in the fourth and eighth innings.
Canes' second baseman Dorian Gonzales Jr. brought home shortstop Dominic Pitelli with an RBI single to take the lead in the fourth. Miami had more than one chance to score in the fourth. The fourth inning was one of the three innings in which Miami loaded the bases but failed to bring a runner home. Miami also did the same in the third.
But in the eighth, the Hurricanes separated themselves from the Wolfpack with an impressive score on a passed ball. Wolfpack pitcher Carson Kelly tossed a low breaking ball that bounced off catcher Jacob Cozart. Miami center fielder Jacoby Long darted from third to home plate and scored, making it a two-run lead.
Miami closing pitcher Andrew Walters dealt the final two 1/3 innings and got the save for the Canes. Walters struck out three batters and allowed one hit while throwing only 28 pitches.
Miami will face No. 5 Duke on Friday at 3 p.m. ET and will be aired on the ACC Network.
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