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Wolfpack Bounces Back in Blacksburg: Stats and Observations

How did NC State baseball get things turned around in a crucial second game of the road series against Virginia Tech?
Tucker Sennett|
LHP Cooper Consiglio throws a pitch through the rain in NC State's 14-7 victory over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
LHP Cooper Consiglio throws a pitch through the rain in NC State's 14-7 victory over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., on Saturday, April 25, 2026. | Courtesy of NC State Athletics

NC State baseball put forth a poor performance at the plate in its 4-0 loss to Virginia Tech in the Friday opener of the three-game series, placing far more pressure on itself in the next two games. The Wolfpack answered the call with a 14-7 victory over the Hokies in Saturday's very disjointed game, largely because of some seriously adverse weather conditions.

Head coach Elliott Avent helped his squad navigate through a pair of stoppages, including a rain delay and a lightning delay. After falling behind 5-2 in the first two innings, the Wolfpack responded with some crooked numbers, getting monster offensive performances from outfielder Ty Head, first baseman Chris McHugh and designated hitter Dalton Bargo, who drove in nine of the 14 runs.

Wolfpack lineup and stats

  1. LF Rett Johnson: 2-5, 3 R, BB
  2. 2B Luke Nixon: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, HR (6)
  3. SS Mikey Ryan: 2-3, R, RBI, BB -- PR/SS Christian Serrano: 0-1, R, K
  4. CF Ty Head: 3-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR (12)
  5. 1B Chris McHugh: 1-4, R, 3 RBI, BB, K
  6. RF/3B Sherman Johnson: 1-4, R, BB, 2 K
  7. DH Dalton Bargo: 1-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR (6)
  8. 3B Wyatt Peifer: 0-1, BB -- PH Andrew Wiggins: 0-1, K -- RF Brayden Fraasman: 1-2, K
  9. C Drew Lanphere: 1-5, 2 RBI, 3 K

LHP Cooper Consiglio: 4 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 6 BB, 5 K
RHP Ryder Garino: 3 IP, 7 K, W (3-2)
RHP Anderson Nance: 2 IP, H, 3 K

Key observations

Consiglio didn't put forth his best effort for the Pack, but he did just enough to keep things in control while also spelling the bullpen from another heavy workday. The real star of the day for the NC State staff was reliever Ryder Garino, a transfer from South Carolina who continues to excel after getting more work in the last few weeks of the season.

Garino came in for Consiglio in the fifth inning and cruised through the wet weather for three innings, striking out seven Hokies to set a new career high. His efforts in the middle of the game earned him the win, his third of the season. He handed the baton to the always-steady Anderson Nance, who hunkered down and finished the game off without giving up a run.

Head and Bargo each mashed two-run home runs to help the Wolfpack keep pace and eventually break open the game against one of the poorer pitching staffs in the ACC. Head's improved power continued to be a revelation for NC State, as his homer marked his 12th of the season. The talented outfielder is just one year removed from hitting four long balls.

NC State still needs to find a way to win the series and steal a Sunday win. The offense turning things around bodes well for making that happen.

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Tucker Sennett
TUCKER SENNETT

Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.

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