NC State Dominates Georgia with 18-1 Victory in Athens Super Regional…
NC State is just one win away from securing a spot in the College World Series.
The Wolfpack had a commanding and record-breaking performance on Saturday against Georgia in the opening game of the Athens Super Regional, scoring 11 runs in the second inning and cruising to an 18-1 victory at Foley Field.
The Pack (37-20), seeded No. 10 in the NCAA baseball tournament, has the opportunity to finish the best-of-three Super Regional on Sunday with another noon start. For the Bulldogs (42-16), the No. 7 national seed, Sunday will be an elimination game and a chance to recover from Saturday’s overwhelming defeat.
Following their sweep in the Raleigh Regional last week, the Wolfpack’s offense ignited early and maintained momentum throughout. Seven players had multiple hits, contributing to the team’s total of 20 hits. Jacob Cozart hit two homers, while Eli Serrano III, Garrett Pennington, and Alec Makarewicz also added home runs.
This offensive surge provided ample support for Wolfpack starter Sam Highfill. Highfill, a veteran from the 2021 College World Series team, pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits and throwing 111 pitches before handing the game over to the bullpen.
Makarewicz ended the game with four hits and three runs scored, while Noah Soles drove in five runs—all in the second inning. Freshman left fielder Luke Nixon also had three hits, scored three times, and drove in three runs.
The game began with Georgia starter Kolten Smith throwing the first pitch at 12:06 p.m. By 12:46, NC State had taken a 7-0 lead, loaded the bases, and chased Smith from the mound. By the end of the second inning, NC State led 11-0, with three players collecting two hits each in the inning and Soles hitting two doubles and driving in five runs.
Every player in the Wolfpack lineup got a hit in the inning, except Cozart, whose grounder led to a misplay by Georgia that prevented a double play. The Wolfpack set school records for runs (11) and hits (11) in a Super Regional game.
Cozart hit a homer in the third inning, extending the lead to 12-0, and added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 13-0.
Georgia managed to score in the fifth inning with Corey Collins’ RBI single, but Highfill ended the threat by inducing a groundout from Dylan Goldstein with the bases loaded.
NC State continued to score, with Nixon advancing on a wild pitch and scoring on a throwing error, making it 14-1.
Georgia’s standout third baseman Charlie Condon, a likely national player of the year, went 0-for-3 as the Wolfpack pitchers skillfully avoided giving him opportunities.
NC State coach Elliott Avent plans to continue with the regular pitching rotation, likely starting lefthander Dom Fritton in Game 2 on Sunday.
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