Louisville Drops Series-Opener at NC State, 3-1

Friday, March 24

Raleigh, NC

6:30 PM

University of Louisville

19-2, 0

NC State

13-10, 0

Louisville

NC State

Tyler Fitzgerald had a pair of hits and scored once in Friday's loss in Raleigh.

March 24, 2017 | Baseball

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Two-run first inning for the Wolfpack the difference as the Cardinals suffer their first ACC loss

By: Garett Wall

RALEIGH, N.C. - Unable to overcome an early deficit, the No. 1 Louisville baseball team opened its weekend series at NC State with a 3-1 loss Friday night at Doak Field.

The host Wolfpack (13-10, 4-3 ACC) scored a pair of runs in the first inning before holding on down the stretch as the Cardinals (19-2, 6-1 ACC) dropped their first ACC game of the season. Friday's result ended Louisville's four-game winning streak against NC State and was the second straight loss for the Cardinals, who opened the season by setting a school record with 19 straight wins.

"You tip your cap to NC State because those guys threw very well tonight," said Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell. "I talked to our hitters in the fifth or sixth inning and reminded them that we weren't doing what we're supposed to do. That starts with staying on time to hit the fastball but when you get two strikes, you have to shorten up and move the ball and we lost that approach tonight."

Senior lefthander Sean Adler allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings for the victory to move to 3-2 on the season. Senior righty Joe O'Donnell followed Adler by striking out five and scattering three hits over 3.1 innings of shutout relief to close the game and earn his first save of the season. Friday's game was the lowest run output of the season for the Cardinals.

Freshman Tyler Fitzgerald had two hits and scored the only run of the night for Louisville, while sophomore Josh Stowers was 2-for-4 with a triple as the Cardinals lost despite finishing with a 7-6 edge in hits.

Junior lefthander Brendan McKay suffered his first loss of the season on the mound despite finishing with 14 strikeouts, the second highest total of his collegiate career. The two-way standout allowed three runs on six hits with one walk in seven innings to lower his season record to 4-1. In his last three outings, McKay has totaled 41 strikeouts with just three walks and three earned runs in 21.0 innings.

The Wolfpack opened the scoring Friday with a pair of runs on three hits in the first inning. After Stephen Pitarra led off with an infield single and took second on a wild pitch, Brad Debo drove him home with a two-out double down the left field line. Evan Mendoza followed with a RBI double to left center to send Debo home for the 2-0 lead.

The advantage for NC State increased in the fifth inning when Andy Cosgrove connected for his second home run of the season sending a solo shot over the left field wall. The Cardinals answered with a run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 3-1 after junior Devin Hairston drove Fitzgerald home with a two-out RBI double down the right field line. Louisville threatened to draw closer in both the sixth and seventh before leaving two baserunners stranded in each frame.

Louisville and NC State continue the series Saturday at 1 p.m., ET in a game televised through the ACC's Regional Sports Network, including Fox Sports South. The Cardinals and Wolfpack will conclude the weekend Sunday at 1 p.m.

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