The North Carolina State Wolfpack defeated the Miami Hurricanes 5-2 on Saturday to clinch the 3-game series.

NC State looks to go for the sweep tomorrow.

In the bottom of the third the Wolfpack loaded the bases after a couple of tough breaks for the Hurricanes, and then the game entered a lightning delay that forced Jeb Bargfeldt out of the game. Fortunately on the first play back from the delay Miami got out of the jam.

In the top of the fifth Brandon Gali started the inning right for the Hurricanes by roping a double to left-center. Chris Barr then pushed him to second with a sac-bunt, and Joe Gomez bunted him in on the squeeze. Heading to the bottom of the fifth Miami led 1-0.

In the bottom of the fifth a single followed by a walk gave NC State two men on with one out. A double tied the game at 1-1, and then a wild pitch gave NC State a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh NC State started the rally that would seal the game. A double that stayed just fair gave NC State a runner in scoring position with one out. An RBI single pushed NC State’s lead to 3-1 and caused Miami to make a pitching change to Albert Maury Jr. Unfortunately in the next at-bat the staff’s struggles continued and a two-RBI bases-clearing triple gave NC State a 5-1 lead. Fortunately the runner from third didn’t score, and heading to the top of the eighth the Wolfpack led 5-1.

In the top of the ninth Miami tried to mount a late rally, as Brandon Gali hit a RBI triple (PLEASE KEEP HIM IN THE LINEUP) to drive in Randy Batista who had led off the inning with a single. A Greg Veliz walk sent Nico Baldor to the plate as the tying run, but nothing came of it and Miami lost the game 5-2.

Brandon Gali had a really nice game today at SS with Romy at 3B, if Gali can continue hitting like this it solves a major hole in the lineup, as it replaces the struggling Edgar Michelangeli.

Game Stats:

Winning Pitcher: Tommy DeJuneas (2-0, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 3.0 IP)

Losing Pitcher: Evan McKendry (2-1, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 4.0 IP)

Save: Austin Staley (4)

Box Score:

Next Game:

Sunday, March 19, 12:00 P.M Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Michael Mediavilla (1-3, 5.89 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5

Television: ACC Network Extra