By Leigha Bruce
Ranked no. 21 NC State baseball swept Bucknell in its opening series at Doak Field, ending the weekend on a 12-8 win. This marks the Wolfpack’s first season-opening sweep since 2010 against LaSalle.
Three team home runs and a grand slam from junior Lawson McArthur pushed the Wolfpack past the Bison, after a back-and-forth scoring game began to take place in the top of the seventh.
In the bottom of the second, the Pack took the lead 4-0 when sophomore Terrell Tatum singled to left field, bringing in a runner on third. Freshman Vojtech Mensik delivers with a two-RBI triple into right field, bringing in Tatum and junior Brad Debo. To end out the inning, sophomore Jonny Butler smashes a ball up the middle to bring in Mensik, taking the lead by four.
The Bison responded quickly, cutting the Wolfpack’s lead to one after a pair of hits brought in three runners on base in the top of the third. For the next four innings, NC State continued with a steady one run lead until the Bison began hitting back. With an RBI double, single through the right side and a two-run homer, Bucknell extended its lead, 7-4.
Senior Evan Edwards launches a solo home run to right field to kick off the batting order, followed by an RBI single up the middle from Debo to bring in an extra run closing up the gap 7-6. With one down and bases loaded, McArthur stepped up to the plate smashing a grand slam bringing the Wolfpack back into the lead, 10-7. Freshman Tyler McDonough followed McArthur’s lead by hitting his first career homer increasing the lead by five.
Junior left handed pitcher Kent Klyman earns the win for the game while sophomore Dalton Feeney picks up the save after closing out the Bison in the top of the ninth to finish the series.
The Wolfpack will be on the road for its next five games, starting with Elon Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Latham Park.