Baseball beats N.C. State to complete first ACC three-game sweep since May 2009

Kevin Martir

After almost five years of struggles and near-misses in the ACC, the Terrapins baseball team recorded its first three-game sweep in conference play since May 2009 on Sunday with a 5-2 victory over No. 10 N.C. State at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.

The Terps once again struck early, plating two runs in the first inning. They scored in the first inning in each game of the series, and it was enough for their pitchers.

With runners on second and third with one out, catcher Kevin Martir lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to score shortstop Blake Schmit, who was batting leadoff in place of injured center fielder Charlie White. After right fielder Anthony Papio walked, first baseman Mike Rescigno singled to score left fielder Kyle Convissar and give the Terps a 2-0 lead.

That was the end for Wolfpack left-hander Brad Stone, who recorded only two outs before he was lifted for right-hander Andrew Woeck.

But instead of allowing the Terps to extend their lead and put the game out of reach like N.C. State pitchers did in the first two games of the series, Woeck kept the Wolfpack in the game. Second baseman Logan Ratledge hit a solo home run in the second to cut the lead in half, and Woeck held the Terps scoreless for five innings.

The Terps managed to get some insurance in the sixth off Woeck, though. Papio doubled to lead off the inning, Rescigno was hit by a pitch and Papio advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw before third baseman Jose Cuas’ single to left field brought Papio home.

In the eighth, Cuas hit a two-run home run for some extra cushion.

Left-hander Tayler Stiles made his first career start and lasted one batter into the fourth inning before he was lifted for right-hander Bobby Ruse. Stiles allowed four hits and one walk while striking out two and hitting one batter. Ruse earned the win, throwing 3.2 shutout innings in relief and allowing two hits while striking out five.

Left-handers Ben Brewster and Alex Robinson relieved Ruse and combined to pitch a scoreless inning. Right-hander Kevin Mooney entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth. He struck out pinch hitter Carlos Rodon on three pitches to end the inning.

Mooney gave up a solo home run to shortstop Trea Turner in the ninth inning.

Center fielder Tim Lewis earned his first career start in White’s absence and went 1-for-2 with a walk. Cuas was hitless in the series, but went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.