AUBURN, Ala.- A seven-run first inning for Stetson proved to be the difference as the Hatters took game one of the Auburn regional over NC State 11–2 from Plainsman Park.
The Wolfpack (33-20) will now await the loser of Auburn and Central Connecticut in the second game tonight and play the loser tomorrow, Saturday, May 31st, at 2 p.m. CT and 3 p.m. ET and broadcast on ESPN+.
Starting pitcher Dominic Fritton (5-5) had the shortest outing of his career after only getting one out, allowing six runs on two hits, but an error made three of those runs unearned. Anderson Nance came on to get the final outs of the frame, but not before the Hatters tacked on two more to make it 7-0 after one and not give up the lead.
NC State had its chances to try and battle back but was 0-6 with runners in scoring position and just 2-15 with runners on base. On the other side, Stetson was 6-15 with runners in scoring position.
The Hatters held NC State scoreless through seven, but Josh Hogue got NC State on the board with a solo home run at the bottom of the eighth. It was his 11th of the season to now lead the team. Freshman Brandon Novy followed two batters later with a home run to add the game’s second run. It was his second of the season in his first postseason start.
Hogue had three of the eight Wolfpack hits, and Ty Head had two base knocks, including a double late in the game. Hogue’s home run prevented the first shutout of the Wolfpack in a regional since 2016.
Stetson Starter Jonathan Gonzalez (10-2) went six innings, allowing no runs while only allowing five hits with three walks and four strikeouts. The Hatter’s offense put together 13 hits and drew nine walks.
Four of the first eight Stetson batters walked to begin the game, contributing to the big first inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Wolfpack looked to cut into the Stetson lead as they loaded the bases with only one out. Stetson got out of the jam with a strikeout and a fielder’s choice to end the frame and keep NC State off the board.
Following Fritton, the Wolfpack used seven pitchers in the game. Shane Van Dam pitched in three innings, and Carson Kelly used nine pitched to retire three batters.
The Wolfpack (33-20) will now await the loser of Auburn and Central Connecticut in the second game tonight and play the loser tomorrow, Saturday, May 31st, at 2 p.m. CT and 3 p.m. ET and broadcast on ESPN+.
Starting pitcher Dominic Fritton (5-5) had the shortest outing of his career after only getting one out, allowing six runs on two hits, but an error made three of those runs unearned. Anderson Nance came on to get the final outs of the frame, but not before the Hatters tacked on two more to make it 7-0 after one and not give up the lead.
NC State had its chances to try and battle back but was 0-6 with runners in scoring position and just 2-15 with runners on base. On the other side, Stetson was 6-15 with runners in scoring position.
The Hatters held NC State scoreless through seven, but Josh Hogue got NC State on the board with a solo home run at the bottom of the eighth. It was his 11th of the season to now lead the team. Freshman Brandon Novy followed two batters later with a home run to add the game’s second run. It was his second of the season in his first postseason start.
Hogue had three of the eight Wolfpack hits, and Ty Head had two base knocks, including a double late in the game. Hogue’s home run prevented the first shutout of the Wolfpack in a regional since 2016.
Stetson Starter Jonathan Gonzalez (10-2) went six innings, allowing no runs while only allowing five hits with three walks and four strikeouts. The Hatter’s offense put together 13 hits and drew nine walks.
Four of the first eight Stetson batters walked to begin the game, contributing to the big first inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Wolfpack looked to cut into the Stetson lead as they loaded the bases with only one out. Stetson got out of the jam with a strikeout and a fielder’s choice to end the frame and keep NC State off the board.
Following Fritton, the Wolfpack used seven pitchers in the game. Shane Van Dam pitched in three innings, and Carson Kelly used nine pitched to retire three batters.
Elliott Avent, NC State head coach
“Game just got off to a tough start. (Dominic) Fritton’s been unbelievable for us all year. I don’t know exactly; he’s gotten us to the sixth or seventh inning most of the year. He’s been unbelievable, and today he didn’t have it. Got off to a rough start. He walked four out of the first eight batters, and Anderson Nance came in, who’s been incredible and didn’t have as good of stuff as he’s had. We just got off to a bad start and you get seven runs for a guy that’s got a below 2.00 ERA, that can pitch, it can make for a tough day.”
