FIRST PITCH
Score: #13 NC State 9 | Queens 2
Records: NC State (12-1 overall, 0-0 ACC) | Queens (4-8 overall, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: Doak Field (Raleigh, N.C.)
 
THE SHORT STORY
Despite a season-high 6.1 innings of dominant work from Adrian Quezada, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped a 9-2 decision at No. 13 NC State on Wednesday afternoon. Quezada shined in his third start of the season, allowing five runs on five hits while striking out seven to match his career high. The Wolfpack offense was held in check early, but broke through late, scoring eight runs over the final three innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Both offenses were held in check through 2.0 innings of work, but that changed in the third as Queens jumped on the board in the top of the third inning. Charlie Marcantel reached on an infield single to open the inning before swiping second with one out. An infield groundout moved Marcantel to third before a wild pitch brought the catcher home for the first run of the game.

-NC State answered right back in the bottom of the third inning as Mikey Ryan sent a ball up the middle and beat out the throw to second for a leadoff double. A fly out to center field advanced Ryan to third and a sacrifice fly from Rett Johnson brought home the tying run.

-The nationally-ranked Wolfpack took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, capitalizing on a leadoff double from Ty Head. With one out, Head swiped third to set up a sacrifice fly from Christian Serrano and give NC State a 2-1 lead.

-NC State broke through in the bottom of the seven inning with four runs on three hits. Wyatt Peifer worked a four pitch walk before Mikey Ryan stepped in and belted the first pitch he saw over the left field wall. The Wolfpack weren't done, however, as Chris McHugh laced a two-out triple to left center to bring home two more runs and extend the lead to 6-1.

-Queens got a run back in the top of the eighth inning. Dylan Schaefer was hit by a pitch to start the frame before swiping second to get into scoring position with one out. Hunter Huneycutt followed with a walk before Grayson Childers laced a 1-1 pitch down the left field line for an RBI double.

-The Wolfpack packed on three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, capitalizing on three walks to start the frame. Drew Lanphere brought in a run with a sacrifice fly and Rett Johnson singled to right field to bring around the final two runs of the game.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Five Royals turned in a hit on the day, including Thomas Mathay, Grayson Childers, Lenox Lively, Logan Norris, and Charlie Marcantel.

-Thomas Mathay extended his hitting streak to five straight games with a 1-for-4 afternoon, including his second double of the season.

-Grayson Childers drove his third extra-base hit of the season, and second double of the young season. The junior drove in his fourth RBI with a double in the eighth inning.

-Lenox Lively turned in a 1-for-3 day as he's knocked a hit in four straight games.

-Mikey Ryan led the Wolfpack offense with a 2-for-3 games, including a home run and three runs scored.

-Ryder Garino picked up the win after tossing 4.0 scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

NEXT UP
Queens will continue their fierce road stretch as the Royals head to Athens, Georgia this weekend for a four-game series against No. 11 Georgia. The series will get underway on Friday, March 6^th at 3:00 p.m. on SECN+. Fans can purchase tickets in advance here.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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