Wolfpack Survives Late-Game Rally; Wins 12-11 After Ossenfort Walk-Off Single

Raleigh, NC -After Canisius scored nine runs across the eighth and ninth innings to tie the game 11-11, Matt Ossenfort delivered a walkoff RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to secure the series and beat Canisius 12-11 on Saturday afternoon from Doak Field.

Leading off the bottom of the ninth, Ty Head drew a walk to start the inning, and Matt Heavner used a sacrifice bunt to move him over. After a Luke Nixon hit by pitch, the Wolfpack had runners on first and second. Ossenfort ripped a single through the right side; the Wolfpack celebrations were delayed as Canisius's right fielder Brayden Hy fired the ball home for a play at the plate with the initial call being out.

After a lengthy review, home plate Umpire Connor Hoagland signaled the Wolfpack faithful that Head was safe as he beat the throw and sent NC State (5-5) home victorious.

Getting his second win of the season, Andrew Shaffner (2-0) came on in the ninth and got three outs following a three-run home run from the Golden Griffins. Shaffner punched out two batters.

Starting Wolfpack pitcher Heath Andrews had a career day on the mound, setting a new career high in innings pitched, going seven, recording a quality start, striking out three, and only allowing one earned run on three hits.

Chris McHugh led the Wolfpack bats, which stayed red hot, going 4-4, with two doubles and 5 RBIs, a new career high in both.

Justin DeCriscio reached base four times today, recording two doubles and three RBIs. DeCrisio and McHugh combined for eight of the Pack's 11 RBIs.

For Canisius (0-5), Ethan Hennessy (0-1) takes home the loss. He went 1.1 innings, allowing the winning run while walking two and striking out two.

NC State got to Canisius starter Felix Morin, tagging him for seven runs on seven hits in just three innings.

After scoring two runs in the first three innings, the Golden Griffins used a six-run eighth and a three-run ninth to overcome a nine-run deficit. Down 11-8 to begin the ninth, the visitors used a walk and single to bring up lead off hitter Bennett Cox, who hit a three-run home run to tie the game.

Following Andrews, Carson Kelly relieved Andrews in the top of the eighth but could only get one out. Camden Wimbish and Jacob Dudan followed and would keep the lead at three runs after each recording an out. Dudan recorded the final out of the inning and would stay in for the ninth.

The Wolfpack had constant base runners throughout the game, with the leadoff hitter getting on base in the first five frames.

After Canisius took a one-run lead in the top of the first, NC State used a leadoff walk from DeCriscio, followed by a bunt single from Nixon, to get things started for the Pack. McHugh followed with a two RBI double to take the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the first.

Following a three-up, three-down inning from Andrews, the Wolfpack would load the bases for DeCriscio, who brought a run home with an RBI sac fly to center field. Following the sac fly, Nixon added an RBI single to shallow center, his 12th hit of the season. Back-to-back hits from the Pack added two more runs, with McHugh getting his second hit of the game. In the second inning, the Wolfpack led 6-1.

The scoring continued for NC State, getting another run across with DeCriscio drawing a walk, a wild pitch would bring home Josh Hogue, who got on base earlier in the inning with a single to right field.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Pack extended the lead. With two runners on, DeCriscio got his first hit of the game: a line drive double off the left field wall, bringing home two runs and putting the Pack up seven. McHugh followed suit, picking up his second single of the game, bringing home DeCriscio to make the score 10-2.

With a runner on, Ryan Jaros would hit an RBI single up the middle to extend the lead to 11-2.

Canisius sent eight batters to the plate in the eighth and scored five, shrinking the lead to 11-7.

This marks the first walk-off hit for NC State since Brandon Butterworth had done so against UNC last season.

UP NEXT: NC State and Canisius will continue their three-game set tomorrow, Sunday, March 2, at 1 p.m., broadcast on ACCNX.

Wolfpack Survives Late-Game Rally; Wins 12-11 After Ossenfort Walk-Off Single

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Players Mentioned

Heath Andrews

Brandon Butterworth

Justin DeCriscio

Jacob Dudan

Ty Head

Matt Heavner

Josh Hogue

Ryan Jaros

Carson Kelly

Chris McHugh

Luke Nixon

Matt Ossenfort

Andrew Shaffner

Camden Wimbish

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