Wake Forest plays in the ACC’s most hitter-friendly ballpark, and scoring runs has not been a problem for the Deacs or the Pack this weekend. The two combined to clobber nine home runs in State’s win on Friday night, and three more this afternoon.
NC State dug itself a big early hole as starting pitcher Matt Willadsen struggled from the get-go. Wake scored seven runs in the second inning to chase Willadsen, who walked four guys in that frame alone. It was just not his day.
Elliott Avent does not like pulling starters early, even with some struggles, but there was no choice today, and the Pack ended up with a tremendous performance from reliever Andrew Tillery, who allowed one run on two hits over five innings.