Wolfpack Bullpen Stymies #15 Tigers in N.C. State’s 5-3 Win Saturday

March 26, 2011

Raleigh, NC –

Relievers Rob Chamra and Chris Overman combined to toss 6.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball to lead N.C. State to a 5-3 victory over #15 Clemson in front of 967 fans at Doak Field on Saturday afternoon. The Wolfpack, who took a 2-0 lead in the series, improved to 14-10 overall and 3-5 in the ACC. The Tigers dropped to 12-9 overall and 3-5 in ACC play.

N.C. State jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Andrew Ciencin’s two-run homer in the first inning, but the Tigers scored a run in the second and two more in the third to take a 3-2 lead. The Tigers squandered an opportunity to add to their lead in the top of the third, then N.C. State responded with a run in the bottom of the third and another run in the fourth inning to take the lead for good. Then Chamra and Overman stymied the Tiger offense for the remainder of the game to earn the two-run victory.

Chamra (4-0) pitched 5.0 strong innings to earn the win. He allowed just one hit, no runs, and two walks with five strikeouts. Overman recorded his first save of the year by pitching 1.2 perfect innings with two strikeouts. The two righthanders combined to hold the Tigers to 1-for-19 at the plate.

Dominic Leone (0-1), the first of two Tiger pitchers, suffered the loss in his first start since February 19. He allowed five hits, four runs, and three walks with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched. Jonathan Meyer tossed 4.1 effective innings, allowing just two hits, one run, and two walks with three strikeouts.

N.C. State took the first lead in the first inning thanks to a two-out rally. Pratt Maynard drew a two-out walk and Ciencin followed with a two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole, his first long ball of the season.

In the second inning, Chris Epps’ two-out single to left field. Jason Stolz then laced a double down the left-field line to score Shaffer, but Epps was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

In the top of the third inning, John Hinson looped a one-out double down the right-field line and Brad Miller walked. Jeff Schaus then belted a single to right-center to plate Hinson. Phil Pohl followed with a double over the third-base bag to score Miller, then Shaffer walked to load the bases. But the next two Tigers struck out to end the inning.

The Wolfpack responded with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Matt Bergquist led off with a double off the left-field wall and John Gianis walked. After Chris Diaz moved the runners up a base on a sacrifice bunt, Maynard lined a single to center to score Bergquist. With runners on first and third, Ciencin grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning and keep the score tied 3-3.

Another two-out rally gave N.C. State the lead in the fourth inning. Dylan Brown hit a two-out single on a 1-2 pitch after fouling off several two-strike pitches, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Brett Williams’ single through the right side.

N.C. State added to its lead in the seventh inning. Diaz led off with a walk after being down in the count 1-2. Two batters later, Ciencin hit a one-out, bloop single just inside the right-field line, then both runners stole a base. Harold Riggins followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Diaz.

Ciencin went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to pace the Wolfpack, who totaled seven hits in the game.

Pohl went 2-for-4 with one of Clemson’s three doubles and an RBI to lead Clemson, who amassed six hits in the contest.

Clemson and N.C. State will play the series-finale on Sunday at 1:00 PM.