Former Hoggard pitcher notches another win for Pack

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Former Hoggard pitcher Joe O’Donnell had one of his best Wolfpack pitching performances on Sunday in Pittsburgh. We have more information posted below courtesy NCSU.

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RALEIGH, NC (NC STATE) — NC State’s five-run second inning rally propelled the Wolfpack to its sixth-consecutive win, and finished the sweep of Pittsburgh on Sunday at Doak Field at Dail Park.

The Pack (17-9, 6-5 ACC) went to its bullpen in the top of the first after falling behind the Panthers (11-15, 4-8), but reliever Joe O’Donnell limited the damage to a run, and State’s big inning provided the spark to cement the sweep. Pitt trimmed the lead to 5-2 in the fourth, before two NC State runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and another in the eighth set the final margin at 9-2.

O’Donnell (3-0) earned the win by tying his career long of 6 1/3 innings, set last week at Boston College. The sophomore from Wilmington held Pitt to two hits, three walks, and one unearned run while fanning four. Johnny Piedmonte started but left after two-thirds. Will Gilbert slammed the door with two innings of two-hit shutout ball, no walks, and three punchouts.

Andrew Knizner’s 4-for-4 day led the Wolfpack offense, adding two RBIs and a run. Joe Dunand’s three-run homer to left broke the game open in the second, his third jack of the year. Eight of the nine men in the State lineup scored at least once.

Ryne Willard provided the Pack’s only double, part of a 2-for-4 outing with a run and three RBIs after drawing the start at DH. Brock Deatherage scored twice. Logan Ratledge contributed a 2-for-5 effort with a run. Preston Palmeiro went 2-for-4 with a run. Jake Armstrong drove in one and scored once.

NC State returns to action at Charlotte on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:05 PM for the first game played at the new BB&T Ballpark. Radio coverage will be handled by 88.1 WKNC. Fans can also follow along with live stats from GoPack.com or Twitter updates via @NCStateBaseball.