(Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Game 3: Virginia Tech vs. NC State: Wolf Pack chants break out in NC State 19-9 route over Virginia Tech in eight innings. The NC State Wolf Pack faithful rolled out in flocks, with a drive just under three hours from Raleigh, N.C. to Charlotte at Truist Park. This game was a stalemate after two innings at 0-0.
NC State broke out in the 3rd for six runs capped off by a 3-run home run by designated hitter Alex Sosa pulled to right field. Sosa had an incredible night going 2-for-5 with five RBI. NC State mobbed him at the plate, breaking out the patented wolf-pack chants. This was Sosa’s first career postseason home run.
The crowd of 4,561 was mainly NC State fans. NC State’s offense didn’t look back and continued to pound the Virginia Tech pitching staff. They had three home runs on the night, and only one of their nine starters didn’t record a hit.
Center fielder Ethan Serrano III hit a solo shot to put NC State up 13-7 in the seventh. Shortstop Brandon Butterworth hit a solo bomb to give NC State a 14-7 lead in the eighth.
Sosa spoke to the media after the game about his performance.
“I didn’t know I got it out. I took off running, and I actually lost the ball. I saw the umpire point up and wave around. I was like alright, sure that’ll work,” Sosa said. “It was super cool, and even seeing all the NC State fans out here, even though we weren’t playing at home, I felt like I was at home.
Virginia Tech was eliminated from Pool C, and NC State will play Duke on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. EST. NC State is the third-ranked team in the ACC, going 18-11 with an overall record of 33-19. It is also ranked No.12 in the Top 25 NCAA Division I Rankings.
World Baseball Network asked Sosa about his excitement level heading into tomorrow’s matchup with Duke. The winner of the game will win Pool C and clinch a spot in the semi-finals on Saturday, May 26.
“Every game we play is exciting. I’m just treating every game the same. Obviously, this is another step to where we want to be,” Sosa told World Baseball Network. “I’m super excited to go back out there and play the game.
Sosa dealt with a lot of challenges this season, missing around a month of games due to mono and the flu. He’s hitting his stride at the right time with four home runs in his last seven games. Sosa is a freshman, and his season stats are five home runs, 21 RBI, and an OPS of .754 in 78 at-bats.
Virginia Tech had one bright spot from outfielder Ben Watson breaking their single-season hits record with 93 hits. Ben Watson is an underdog story transferring from a Division III school, Elizabethtown. Watson earned the record by going 3-for-5 against NC State with two doubles and three RBI.
The lefty Watson’s season stats are four home runs, 48 RBI, a .415 batting average, and an OPS of 1.053 in 224 at-bats. His batting average was eighth in Division I this season.
Watson spoke to World Baseball Network after the game about the record.
“I mean, honestly, it’s not something I set out for myself. Down the stretch here, we were just trying so hard to win games. I heard people say I was on pace to get it or whatever.” Watson told World Baseball Network.
“I’m sure in a week or two when it’s all said and done I’ll be able to look back on it and appreciate it. Tonight, I’m just more like the emotions of being sad to override the excitement right now because that’s the last time I’ll be able to play with that specific group.”
Game 2: Pittsburgh vs Wake Forest: Wake Forest didn’t use any of their top-three-rated pitchers and still won 8-1.
Wake Forest reliever Zach Johson picked up the win by pitching two innings with no runs allowed and one strikeout.
Wake Forest first baseman Nick Kurtz went 1-for-3 with one walk. Kurtz is the fourth-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline. Wake Forest third baseman Seaver King went 2-for-3 with one walk and one RBI. King is the 13th-ranked draft prospect in MLB Pipeline.
Wake Forest was eighth in the ACC, going 15-15 with an overall record of 36-19. It is No.22 in the Top 25 NCAA Division I Rankings. Pittsburgh was last in the ACC, going 10-20 with an overall record of 26-28.
Wake Forest and Pittsburgh are in Pool A with North Carolina. Pittsburgh will play North Carolina on Thursday, May 23, at 3 p.m. EST. Wake Forest will play North Carolina on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. EST.
Game 1: Virginia vs Georgia Tech: Virginia mercied Georgia Tech 13-0 in seven innings. Virginia’s top players came to play.
Shortstop Griff O’Ferrall went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. O’Ferrall is the 38th-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline. Designated hitter Ethan Anderson went 2-for-3 with two walks and one RBI. Anderson is the 69th-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline. Outfielder Casey Sauke went 2-4 with one home run, one double, and four RBI. Sauke is the 138th-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline.
Georgia Tech was eliminated from Pool C. Virginia was fourth in the ACC going 18-12 with an overall record of 41-14. Virginia is the No.16 team in the Top 25 NCAA Division I Rankings. Virginia will play Florida State on Friday, May 24 at 11 a.m. EST.
Schedule Pool B
Clemson vs Miami on Thursday, May 23 at 11 a.m. EST.
You can watch every game on the ACCN and WatchESPN.
