College World Series 2013: North Carolina State Shocks North Carolina in Opening Round

North Carolina is ranked 1 overall, but the way North Carolina State played you would think it was the other way around. It was all Wolfpack from the beginning, getting a 1-0 lead from the first inning. After a walk from first batter Trea Turner, a single to left by Senay sends Turner home.

NC State strikes again in the top of the third, Austin doubles, a fly out to right by Senay moves Austin to third, and then Clyde singles to left, bringing Austin home. 2-0 lead for the Wolfpack.

But their momentum did not stop their. Williams doubles to the left field corner, scoring Clyde all the way from first. 3-0 lead. Adametz sinlged to center, scoring Williams from second. 4-0 lead. Emanuel is then taken out of the game, relieved by McCue. Emanuel managed 2.2 innings, gave up six hits, five runs (five earned), one base on balls, and two strikeouts.

After a walk by Armstrong, Adametz moves to second. Retledge singled to left, Adametz scored, Armstrong moved to second. 5-0 lead.

In the top of the eighth the Wolfpack struck again. Austin hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Ratledge from third. 6-0 lead. And then came the sixth pitcher for the Tar Heels on the day: Tate Parrish.

The Tar Heel’s pitchers just could not control the Wolfpack’s bats. In the top of the ninth, after loading the bases due to a walk by Clyde, single by Williams, and a bunt by Adametz, Armstrong grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Clyde. Ratledge grounded out to second, but Williams crossed the plate to make the score now 8-0.

North Carolina made a slight attempt at a comeback, scoring one in the bottom of the ninth. Frank singled to center followed by a Lassiter double, scoring Frank from first. It was the only run they could manage, and while they avoided the shutout they still end up in the loser’s bracket. The game ends with a score of 8-1, with the Wolfpack on top.

Carlos Rodon’s commanding start was exactly what the Wolfpack needed to earn their victory. He pitched a complete game, allowed only five hits, one earned run, eight strikeouts and only two walks.

The Tar Heels went through eight pitchers, Kent Emanuel (2.2 innings, six hits, five earned runs, two strikeouts), Chris McCue (2.1 innings, one hit, one walk, three strikeouts), Chris Munnelly (two innings, one hit, one walk, one strikeout), Trevor Kelley (.1 innings, one hit, one walk), Reilly Hovis (.1 innings, one batter faced), Tate Parrish (.1 innings, one batter faced and one strikeout), Taylore Cherry (.1 innings, one earned run, two hits, one walk) and Mason McCollough (.2 innings, two batters faced).