Preston Bonn’s Big Day Secures Series Victory Over Lafayette

Sunday, March 8

Raleigh, NC

11 a.m.

NC State

14-2

Lafayette

1-9

Lafayette

NC State

Preston Bonn’s Big Day Secures Series Victory Over Lafayette

3/8/2026 4:14:00 PM | Baseball

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Coming into the series finale against Lafayette, redshirt freshman Preston Bonn had only started one game and had just four at-bats. In his second career start, Bonn went 3-for-3 with a double, two home runs, a bases-loaded walk, four runs scored, and five RBIs to help lead the Wolfpack to a 14-4 run-rule victory Sunday afternoon at Doak Field.

With the Wolfpack leading 13-4, pinch hitter Brandon Novy gave the Wolfpack its fifth run-rule victory of the season with a 440-foot home run that cleared the batter's eye for a walk-off seven-inning win.

NC State (14-2) starter Cooper Consiglio (2-1) continued his strong start to the season with six innings of work, allowing just one earned run on four hits, two walks, and a career-high eight strikeouts.

Bonn's first college hit went over the fence for a solo shot, and he later walked with the bases loaded, hit a double, and connected for a three-run home run, his second of the day.
Chris McHugh extended his hitting streak to 16 games, bringing in a run. Luke Nixon tripled for the second time this season and scored three runs. Danny Heintz came out of the bullpen and finished with two strikeouts. In four appearances, Heintz has yet to allow a base runner.

Lafayette (1-9) took the early lead in the third following an error that led to an unearned run. The Wolfpack quickly evened the score as Bonn sent a 0-2 pitch over the left field fence.
The visitors regained a one-run advantage with a home run in the top of the fourth, but NC State responded with a four-run inning, starting with Bonn, who walked with the bases loaded to tie the game.

Rett Johnson beat out an infield single to give the Pack the lead. Ty Head reached on a fielder's choice to score another run, and a McHugh RBI single made it 6-1. Both Head and McHugh totaled their 22nd RBIs of the season, leading the team.

The game was broken open in the bottom of the fifth with another four-run frame. Nixon tripled and scored Sherman Johnson, who was hit by a pitch earlier. Mikey Ryan singled to score Nixon. Bonn doubled, and a Rett Johnson walk loaded the bases. Head, with 19 walks on the season, brought in his second RBI of the game. Bonn later scored after a throwing error by Lafayette's third baseman.

All three runs in the bottom of the sixth came from Bonn's second home run of the game, making it 13-1.

Tristan Potts came on to replace Consiglio in the top of the seventh for his first appearance of the season. The Leopards tagged Potts for two runs after a pinch-hit home run, making it 13-4.
After two quick outs, Novy ended the game with his second home run of the season, sending Wolfpack fans home early.

NC State wraps up its 18-game home stand with four more games at Doak Field. The next game is against Elon on Tuesday, March 10th, at 3 p.m. ACC play begins next weekend as the Wolfpack hosts Boston College for a three-game series starting Friday, March 13th, at 3 p.m.