Charlotte 49ers’ mistakes prove costly in 7-1 loss to NC State
In a ballpark conducive to home-run hitters, N.C. State gave a demonstration of “small ball” and solid pitching against Charlotte.
The Wolfpack took advantage of the 49ers’ mistakes with some timely hitsand pulled off a 7-1 victory Tuesday night at BB&T BallPark.
Reece Hampton had two of the 49ers’ five hits against N.C. State, including one of the team’s two doubles.
But Charlotte (12-13) was held hitless until the fifth inning, and faced a shutout until Logan Sherer’s one-out RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Joe Dunand had two hits and drove in three runs for the Wolfpack (17-8) – ranked 17th in the Division I coaches’ poll. N.C. State finished with seven hits.
However, N.C. State only had one extra-base hit, by Dunand in the top of the fourth inning that scored two runs. The rest of the Wolfpack’s offense came from the 49ers’ mistakes – 10 walks and a pair of errors.
Starter Brian Brown got the win for N.C. State. Brown (3-0) went just three innings – the longest stretch of the seven Wolfpack pitchers used Tuesday – but he allowed just one walk, with three strikeouts.
Charlotte starter J.D. Prochaska took the loss, falling to 1-4. Prochaska went just 1 2/3 innings, giving up a run off two walks and a wild pitch in the first inning.
Worth mentioning
▪ The 10 pitchers were the most the 49ers have used in a game this season. Brandon Vogler, the second pitcher, went the longest – two innings, allowing two runs off a hit and a walk.
▪ Charlotte pitchers struck out 10 Wolfpack batters, led by Vogler and Prochaska with three each.
▪ Providence High grad Tommy DeJuneas, a reliever for N.C. State, gave up the 49ers’ lone run. DeJuneas also made a rare start in the outfield for the Wolfpack, the fourth time this season he’s played in the field.
▪ One highlight for Charlotte: The 49ers turned the game’s only double play, ending the inning in the top of the fifth.
▪ Brett Netzer and Zach Jarrett also had hits for the 49ers.
What’s next
The 49ers open a three-game Conference USA series against Southern Miss on Friday at Hayes Stadium. Game time is 6 p.m.
This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 9:44 PM with the headline "Charlotte 49ers’ mistakes prove costly in 7-1 loss to NC State."