BSB: Pack winning streak snapped at 12 games

The Wolfpack (36-13, 18-9 ACC) dug a 3-0 hole through three innings, but scored one in the fourth to trim the lead to 3-1. Tarran Senay’s three-run homer put the Pack on top 4-3 in the top sixth, before the Hokies (33-18, 11-16 ACC) responded with three in the bottom half to secure the 6-4 victory.

Senay’s fourth home run of the year represented his only hit in a 1-for-4, three RBI, one run performance. Ryan Mathews went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run to extend his hitting streak to 17 games with the Pack’s only multi-hit effort. Brett Austin had State’s only other hit in a game that saw the Hokies outhit the Wolfpack 12-4. Trea Turner’s streak of scoring in 15-consecutive games came to a close with his 0-for-4 afternoon.

Reliever Vance Williams (2-3) took the loss on three earned via four hits and three walks over three innings. Starter Ethan Ogburn lasted just 2 2/3, allowing three earned on six hits and one walk. Dillon Frye held the Hokies scoreless for 1 2/3 on two hits and two walks. Chris Overman pitched the final 2/3, striking out one.

Virginia Tech utilized five pitchers with reliever Tanner McIntyre (6-0) scooping the win on an inning of work. McIntyre, Jake Atwell, and Clark Labitan combined to hold the Pack hitless over the last three innings. Starter Marc Zecchino surrendered one earned on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts over the first five frames. Reliever Jake Joyce gave up three earned on two hits and a walk in the sixth.

Tech pushed ahead 2-0 with a pair of runs in the second. Ronnie Shaban led off the inning with a single up the middle, and a Brendon Hayden double to the wall in left put two in scoring position with nobody out. Kyle Wernicki dropped down a bunt, bringing Shaban home on a squeeze play, and made it to first to put runners on the corners. Ogburn struck out the next batter on three pitches for the first out. Wernicki then stole second to avoid a potential double play, and the move paid dividends as Chad Morgan’s grounder to short brought in the second run.

The Hokies added another in the third to chase Ogburn from the game. Tyler Horan and Mark Zagunis led off the inning with back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and second. A sac bunt moved them over, and Hayden’s grounder to second extended the lead to 3-0. Williams entered after Ogburn hit Wernicki to put runners on the corners, and induced a grounder to short to end the inning.

State narrowed the gap to 3-1 with an RBI double from Mathews in the fourth. Chris Diaz led off the inning with a walk, and Mathews ripped a one-out double off the wall in left to bring him home. A strikeout and an infield pop up followed to leave Mathews stranded at second.

Senay’s three-run homer put the Pack ahead 4-3 in the sixth. Joyce entered for Zecchino and walked Danny Canela on four pitches to start the inning. Mathews singled to right on a full count to put two on with nobody out. Senay stepped on a 1-0 pitch, sending it sailing over the wall in dead center for his fourth of the year to grant State the lead. After the homer run, Joyce rebounded by retiring the next three batters in order.

Virginia Tech rallied with three runs in the bottom sixth to take a 6-4 lead. Williams struck out the first batter of the inning, but gave up a one-out single to Alex Perez. A foul pop to third put two away before the Hokies rally began in earnest. Horan smacked a single through the right side to put runners on the corners. Zagunis followed with a soft liner to the left that flew between Diaz and Turner for an RBI single. A walk loaded the bases, and Frye entered for Williams. Hayden lofted a 2-0 pitch to left for a single, one run scored easily, and the home plate umpire ruled Austin missed the tag on the second to stretch the lead to 6-4. The controversial call was enough to draw NC State head coach Elliott Avent from the dugout. The argument ended with Avent’s ejection.

NC State returns to action on Tuesday, May 15 at 6 p.m., hosting UNC Greensboro in the final Wolfpack home game of the regular season.