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North Carolina State University

NC State routs Sacred Heart, 16-5 in regional opener

Ryan Matthews is congratulated after hitting a 3-run home run against Sacred Heart in the NCAA Regional Friday at Doak Field.

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Jun 1, 2012

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina State batted around in the first inning after spotting Sacred Heart two and never looked back as they rolled to a 16-5 win in the opener of the Raleigh Regional Friday at Doak Field.

A three-run home run by Ryan Matthews gave the Wolfpack the lead just three batters into the home half and set the tone for NC State who racked up 14 hits on the night. Eight NC State starters had at least a hit and eight scored at least a run in the game, led by Mathews who went 3-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored. The Wolfpack also batted around in the seven-run sixth inning. More Info     More NCSU Stories

The 16 runs scored by NC State were the most by a Wolfpack team in the NCAA Tournament since a 16-3 win over The Citadel in the Columbia Regional in 1975.

Starter Vance Williams was erratic early before settling down and striking out eight over six innings. Dylan Frye came in from the bullpen to throw three scoreless innings in relief to earn the save. It was his first save of the season.

With one out in the ninth inning and North Carolina State leading 16-3, lightning flashed in the sky prompting the umpires to pull the players from the field. The game resumed to heavy rains, and Sacred Heart tallied a couple times, prolonging the inevitable.

Rain threatened to call the evening short even earlier with NC State up big in the seventh inning, but the teams played through until the ninth. It was strong enough, however, to send spectators scrambling from the seats for the final dozen outs.

The game started 30 minutes late after weather delayed the first game of the day in Raleigh, also by 30 minutes. Vanderbilt prevailed over North Carolina-Wilmington, 8-2, sending the Commodores to the winners bracket night game against the Wolfpack Saturday at 7 p.m. UNCW and Sacred Heart will play an elimination game at 2 p.m.

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By Hokie 94
Posted Jun 2, 1:22 p.m.

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Location: Southern Pines, NC

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RE: NC State routs Sacred Heart, 16-5 in regional opener

What a blowout. Solid all around playing by State.

By ncsufamily24
Posted Jun 2, 11:59 a.m.

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Location: Smithfield, NC

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RE: NC State routs Sacred Heart, 16-5 in regional opener

jgunn:

Looking forward to the game with Vanderbilt this evening. Should be an interesting matchup and the weather should be really nice.

And speaking of nice, my wife and I were headed from the parking deck yesterday afternoon to Doak Field when we stopped a couple to ask about a possible game delay due to the showers. The gentleman said he'd find out for us and got on his cell phone to call his son. Turns out that the helpful couple we were talking with were the parents of one of my favorite players - Danny Canela!

By Packman24
Posted Jun 2, 10:10 a.m.

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Location: Clayton, NC

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RE: NC State routs Sacred Heart, 16-5 in regional opener

Go Pack!!

By cussmikemeout
Posted Jun 2, 7:08 a.m.

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Location: Murfreesboro, NC

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RE: NC State routs Sacred Heart, 16-5 in regional opener

Good win State.

By jgunn
Posted Jun 2, 7:02 a.m.

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Location: Raleigh, NC

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RE: NC State routs Sacred Heart, 16-5 in regional opener

Impressive win, Pack. Congrats.

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