What looked like it might be a high-scoring affair after the first two innings Thursday night in Charlotte turned into a pitchers’ duel between NC State and Pittsburgh. Thankfully for the Wolfpack, Reid Johnston and the Pack came out on top, with NC State securing a trip to the ACC Tournament semifinals with a 3-2 victory.
Johnston threw 8.0 innings of two-run ball, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out ten Panthers hitters. For Johnston, it was his second straight outing recording double digit strikeouts after setting down 13 FSU hitters a week ago.
Despite issuing a leadoff walk in the 9th, Evan Justice settled in to secure the save and the victory - albeit not without a bit of drama, thanks to an errant throw to second base on a comebacker to the mound.