Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
N.C. State
Baseball Loses in the Bottom of the Ninth
6/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 4, 2004
NC State's Dustin Knight came through with the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs as the Wolfpack defeated Florida Atlantic University 6-5 in the first round of the Coral Gables NCAA Regional. NC State (36-22) scored three runs in the ninth to take its first lead of the game.
FAU closer Allen Knight (4-2) gave up a single to start the ninth to Bryan Kinneberg before a Jason St. Julien double moved the tying run into scoring position with no one out. A sacrifice bunt reduced the lead to one and Knight struck out Eric Taylor for the second out before working the count full to David Hicks. Hicks eventually walked to put runners on the corners before Mike Jensen and Knight came through with the tying and game winning RBI.
Hicks was the only player to record two hits in the game for the Wolfpack after finishing 2-for-3, while Jensen finished with a game-high three RBI.
FAU (45-16) held the lead for the first eight innings. For the ninth time in the last 12 games, the team posted runs in the first inning. NC State pitcher Vern Sterry, who had only allowed 19 walks in 108.1 innings, walked three and allowed two base hits to Derek Hutton and Rusty Brown.
The Wolfpack countered back with a run without picking up a hit as FAU starter, Chris Saxton walked the first two batters. Matt Camp came around to score on a Mike Jensen ground ball.
FAU's Jeff Fiorentino extended the lead to 4-1 on his 17th home run of the season to left field in the third inning.
Both teams were shut out until the six inning when NC State hit two singles to lead off the inning. A sacrifice fly by Dustin Knight brought the Wolfpack to within two.
FAU scored its final run of the game in the seventh inning as Jeff Fiorentino led off with a double. He would come around to score as Derek Hutton laid down a sacrifice bunt but a Wolfpack throwing error allowed the outfielder to score.
FAU would try to hold on to the lead but saw it disappear in the eighth as Craig Hughes hit a batter and gave up a base hit before a Jensen sacrifice fly gave the Wolfpack momentum going into the ninth inning.
Adam McLaurin (3-3) picked up the win after three innings of work as he gave up one hit and a run as he walked five and struck out one.
FAU will play the loser of the Miami/St. Bonaventure game on Saturday at noon.
